Claire Karekezi

thumb|Claire Karekezi Claire Karekezi (born 1982) is a neurosurgeon at the Rwanda Military Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. As the first woman neurosurgeon in Rwanda, and one of six neurosurgeons serving a population of 13 million, Karekezi serves as an advocate for women in neurosurgery. She has become an inspiration for young people pursuing neurosurgery, particularly young women. Karekezi specializes in neuro-oncology and skull-base surgery, is the acting chairperson of the African Women in Neurosurgery (AWIN), Committee of the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS), and was elected as a member of the national council of the Rwanda Medical and Dental Council (RMDC) and the Secretary of the bureau for 2022-2026 Quotes "Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science" (2019) "Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science" The New Times (February 12, 2019) it took time, but if you have the passion and the perseverance to stick around,you make it for sure , girls need help, they need to be pushed, they need to be supported , we need more role model, we need more successful women to reach back to these young women. Do not let anybody tell you that it is impossible, you can achieve anything. Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science The NewTimes (September 19, 2026) It took time, but if you have the passion, and the perseverance to stick around, you make it for sure. For anyone in science or not in science, doing what you love is the key, it is the first thing. The woman of today is courageous, willing to follow their dream. Girls need help, they need to be pushed, they need to be supported, we need more role models, we need more successful women to reach back to these young women. Teaching science for a woman is as normal as it is for men, since we both have the capacity. What make some other girls succeed in sciences is having the mentality that they are not that difficult. A good doctor is one who listens to and examines patients. UGHE’s School of Medicine Hosted the First Cohort of Medical Students’ White Coat Ceremony (September 19, 2026) “A good doctor is one who listens to and examines patients” https://ughe.org/ughes-school-of-medicine-hosted-the-first-cohort-of-medical-students-white-coat-ceremony/?utm_source But it was my passion, I knew I wanted to do it Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace scienceThe New Times(February 12, 2019) It is six years (at the Rwandan university) plus five years (in Morocco) Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace scienceThe New Times(February 12, 2019) There were a lot of challenges, when I left Rwanda, I was working as a medical doctor, I was working with people who knew me, and then I had to go to a place I had never been before, it is like starting from zero Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace scienceThe New Times(February 12, 2019) It required, "getting people to know me, getting people to trust me, even though I had knowledge and skills, I would still feel frightened Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace scienceThe New Times(February 12, 2019) I would not say that I had extra strength; I was a black woman and a foreigner in different countries, and I was in the field that was dominated by men, so it was every time challenging, but because I loved it, was eager to be a neurosurgeon, I did not give up, I kept following my dream Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace scienceThe New Times(February 12, 2019) I think passion and perseverance is the key, you have to love it to stick around, if you do not love it then, you know, you will not stick around Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace scienceThe New Times(February 12, 2019) Even though Rwanda has made remarkable steps towards women empowering, I knew I had accomplished a lot in a society where usually a woman would settle after school. But I knew I wanted more. She followed her impossible dream and now becomes Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon UHN Canada's hospital (October 4, 2026) It seemed impossible for anyone in Rwanda to become a neurosurgeon, especially for a woman. But I had made my decision, so I started digging. She followed her impossible dream and now becomes Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon UHN Canada's hospital (October 4, 2026) Being an outsider, you have to prove yourself and show that you are deserving of that opportunity every step of the way. She followed her impossible dream and now becomes Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon UHN Canada's hospital (October 4, 2026) But I learned that if you work hard and if you are able to build relationships, no matter who you are or where you come from, things will eventually fall in place and you will succeed. She followed her impossible dream and now becomes Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon UHN Canada's hospital (October 4, 2026) As a young ambitious woman, I believe you need to stick to your ambition. There is nothing impossible, you can dream big. Dr. Claire Karekezi: The Remarkable Neurosurgeon from Rwanda. Women Power Africa (October 4, 2026) I dreamt big, I didn’t really realize that I can become a Neurosurgeon at some point but I had people who believed in me and who saw the light in me and they guided me. Dr. Claire Karekezi: The Remarkable Neurosurgeon from Rwanda. Women Power Africa (October 4, 2026) So that’s the importance of having parents, teachers and mentors, but also of being perseverance and keeping the dedication to what you want to become. Dr. Claire Karekezi: The Remarkable Neurosurgeon from Rwanda. Women Power Africa (October 4, 2026) Even though my story of being Rwanda's first and only female Neurosurgeon broke the internet, I feel like there is still much to learn and accomplish as a young African woman Neurosurgeon. Women in STEM: Meet Claire Karekezi Who is Rwanda's First and Only Female Neurosurgeon Inspiring Girls TUKO (October 4, 2026) Each step all along my journey has been tough but achievable, from choosing a career in Neurosurgery to carrying residency and fellowship programs abroad to starting a career as a young attending neurosurgeon. Women in STEM: Meet Claire Karekezi Who is Rwanda's First and Only Female Neurosurgeon Inspiring Girls TUKO (October 4, 2026) I learned a lot all along the way. There are no small roads; I had moments of discouragement but dedication and perseverance kept me going. Women in STEM: Meet Claire Karekezi Who is Rwanda's First and Only Female Neurosurgeon Inspiring Girls TUKO (October 4, 2026) But it was my passion, I knew I wanted to do it. Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science. The New Time (October 9, 2026) I did not give up, I kept following my dream. Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science. The New Time (October 9, 2026) I think passion and perseverance is the key, you have to love it to stick around. Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science. The New Time (October 9, 2026). I would say that it’s an initiative that is very innovative, that is going to improve cancer care in the city of Kigali C/Can’s presence here means that not only Kigali but Rwanda as a whole is taking the lead in cancer care in the region. City Cancer Challenge (October 9, 2026). I had to get people to know me, and then trust me. Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon urges girls to embrace science. The new time (October 11, 2026). External links Category:Surgeons Category:Living people Category:Women scientists from Rwanda Category:Neuroscientists Category:1982 births Category:Women born in the 1980s