Education is one of the four pillars of UNMC’s mission and our students are the lifeblood of that aspect of campus life.
In UNMC Today’s Student Spotlight, we get to know some of these students, who will become tomorrow’s health care professionals.
Today we meet:
- Name: Orphee Tamba Lusakumunu
- Hometown: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Program/Year: Master’s in public health/Maternal and Child Health/expect to graduate in 2019
What sparked your interest in public health?
During one of my internships in a hospital in Kinshasa/DRC, I noticed that it was common to see women lose their own lives giving life, or young children under five die for diseases that I thought we could manage in a hospital setting only. I distinctly remember a 4-year-old girl who wanted to become a doctor. During her hospitalization, she used to ask me when she would be back to school. Unfortunately, she passed away a few days later because of anemia. I then decided to understand how we could have saved her life. This sad experience led me to realize that the solution was not only related to medical practices within the hospital but also outside of the hospital with other stakeholders. My approach was purely public health without noticing it. A few years later, I got my Fulbright Scholarship to pursue my Master’s in Public Health/Maternal and Child Health at UNMC.
List three songs on your playlist:
- “Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow,” Gloria and Bill Gaither
- “Cornerstone,” Hillsong
- “10,000 reasons,” Matt Redman
Your favorite study snack is:
Kettle cooked chips
Your favorite app is:
WhatsApp
Three things people may not know about you.
- I met President Barack Obama and shook hands with him in 2015 in Washington, D.C.
- I have Swedish origins through my mother. My name could have been Westerhult.
- The three most important things to me:
- My relationship with God.
- My family (my wife Orly and my three-year-old son Juan Elyor).
- My role as a public health professional.
Proud of you bro !!!
Dieudonné Tshishi from DRC:
Orphée is a strong engaged worker. He is my former colleague. I am sure that his Public health studies will help to save more lives.
Beautiful! All the best wishes to you and your family in your life journey!
Congrats brother. Keep doing what you doing. Stay blessed…. Bison…
Jeronimo
So glad you chose the College of Public Health at UNMC to become a public health professional in Maternal and Child Health. This is exactly why we created the college. May your leadership, scholarship and advocacy for women and children be in abundance. – Dr. Magda Peck, magda@magdapeck.com
GO FORWARD BABY SKY IS YOUR LIMIT. Proud of you 😘
Great my twin Brother Orphée! I wish you all the best and success in your career!
Hervé Lekuya
You are changing the world for better.
Je suis fier de vous, Dr.
The risk of maternal death during reproductive years is 1 death out of every 24 deliveries. Thus, each hour, two women die While giving birth in DRC. Over 35% of all these maternal death were attributed to preventive an treatable conditions such as postpartum hemorrgage, eclampsia, infection … is it true ? If so, our challenge is one of the biggest but we know , you gona win with YOUR ALLMIGHTY GOD IN JESUS CHRIST NAME. REMAIN BLESSED
Proud of you, Orphee. Am sure many young lives will be spared through your Public Heath Care. Where there is a Will, there is always a Way. You know that already, I bet. All the best, Doctor.
So happy for you!
Proud of you Dr
Bravo et courage!
Impressive! God bless in your future endeavors; keep Him first and you can't go wrong. He holds the key.