From Walking Omelet to Provincial Nutritionist: A Hilarious and Inspiring Tale of My Career Journey in Clinical Nutrition

Ah, this little name tag takes me on a hilarious trip down memory lane, reminding me of where my illustrious career in the world of nutrition began. Can you believe it? It's been a whopping 18 years since I sauntered into Embu Provincial General Hospital (now referred to as Embu Level 5 Hospital), fresh out of college, with stars in my eyes.

I'll never forget the nurse who sternly scolded me, claiming that "nutritionists belong in the kitchen!"😖. Talk about a real blow to my ego. But fear not, my friends, for I gathered every ounce of courage to enlighten that nurse about the crucial role of clinical nutrition in improving a patient's prognosis. It took some time for the other health cadres to accept us (there were only six of us in the department back then), but boy, was it worth it.

Now, let me share the funniest memory of all. Brace yourselves! Back in those days, nutritionists wore bright yellow uniforms to signify the mighty "egg yolk." Can you imagine? It was like we were walking omelets. Do they still don those egg-cellent uniforms these days?

I owe my entire career to the one and only Dr. Thomas Ngwiri. Oh, dear Dr. Ngwiri, you truly pushed me to my limits during those pediatric ward rounds. Many a time, I'd find myself shedding a tear on my way home, wondering if I really deserved this torturous journey. But hey, when we say "tumetoka mbali" (we've come a long way), believe me, we really mean it. I even self-financed a trip to Kenyatta Hospital just to get the latest scoop on managing malnutrition. Talk about dedication!

Transitioning from a lowly nutritionist making daily rounds to heading the department and eventually becoming the legendary "Provincial Nutritionist" was no easy feat. It came with its fair share of peaks, challenges, and, oh, the drama! But here I am, looking back, and I owe it all to my incredible family, who never let go of my hand throughout this crazy journey.

As Michael Jordan once said, "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." So, my friends, the journey continues, with laughter, tears, and a whole lot of determination!

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