Orapeleng Phuswane-Katse, MD, BS

A graduate of both the St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine and the School of Arts and Sciences, Orapeleng Phuswane-Katse, MD ’11, BS ’07, is striving to make a difference. Originally from Mochudi, Botswana, Dr. Phuswane-Katse is using her skills and expertise gained from SGU to make a positive impact on public health.

“We don’t have a lot of doctors in Botswana, so there is a lot of opportunity for impacting the health system there,” Dr. Phuswane-Katse said. “I enjoy public health medicine, and I would like to improve policies and strategy planning for better health outcomes.”

After receiving a Bachelor of Science from the University of Botswana, Dr. Phuswane-Katse earned a Bachelor of Science in basic medical sciences from SGU in 2007. She then graduated with her Doctor of Medicine in 2011, also from SGU. She completed a residency in public health medicine at the University of Botswana. Today, she serves as head of preventive programs in the Ministry of Health.

In 2015, Dr. Phuswane-Katse was the first medical doctor from Botswana to become part of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI). YALI is a six-week leadership program started by former US President Barack Obama for excelling young African leaders who have shown exemplary work in the communities they serve.

“I wanted to serve Botswana, and who better to serve them than a Motswana who speaks the language and understands its challenges?” Dr. Phuswane-Katse said. “I want to grow within my country and establish roots.”

She credits her hands-on experience at SGU for preparing her for her chosen field. “SGU taught me accountability, responsibility, and to be able to work hard to achieve my goals,” she said.

Learn more about how Dr. Phuswane-Katse is making a difference in Botswana.

St. George’s University: Why did you decide to pursue medicine?

Dr. Phuswane-Katse: My initial passion was always to become a pilot; however, I wasn’t particularly strong in physics. When I began my BSc at the University of Botswana, my plan was to pursue dentistry, but somehow my journey led me to medicine. One thing I was always certain about was my desire to help people.

SGU: As the head of preventive programs, what does your job entail?

Dr. Phuswane-Katse: Overall, I manage diseases among the population through public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation at both district and national levels. My responsibilities include:

• Strategic planning, reviewing programs, amending policies, and introducing new health policies and laws,
• Providing technical expertise at public health engagements and forums locally and nationally,
• Coordinating campaigns for child immunization
• Monitoring well-being of vaccination recipients during and after immunization drives,
• And overseeing the management of the Occupational Health Program.

I have successfully managed several programs with measurable improvements in performance including the Child Health Program, Antiretroviral Therapy (ARV) Program, Malaria Program, and Tuberculosis Program. I also have collaborated with various stakeholders including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

SGU: How did your education at SGU help you succeed?

Dr. Phuswane-Katse: SGU provided a holistic approach to medicine, which allowed me to work in a very diverse environment. I was able to work with people from different academic backgrounds, strengthening my skills even in new ways. To this day, I deeply value diversity in learning.

SGU: Why should aspiring medical students from Botswana consider SGU?

Dr. Phuswane-Katse: I believe that SGU is an international school that not only provides high-quality education but also offers valuable support services to help international students adapt. It helps prepare students for the medical field and whichever specialty they wish to pursue.

SGU: How did the Mandela Washington Fellowship help shape your vision for transforming healthcare leadership in Africa?

Dr. Phuswane-Katse: The Mandela Washington fellowship shaped my understanding of leadership, and most of the principles I learned in the program are ones I still apply today. I believe that universal health coverage is key to improving healthcare and ensuring access to care everyone in Botswana. As a leader, this is one of the key goals I strongly believe in achieving.

SGU: What are your goals for the healthcare system in Botswana?

Dr. Phuswane-Katse: We should all strive for an inclusive healthcare system, which is a system that reaches everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or distance from healthcare facilities. One of the ways I am working towards an inclusive health system is by bringing mobile healthcare outreach to rural communities.

 

Updated February 2025 

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