Dr. Doreen Okong Alaleit’s leadership is shaping the future of women in emergency medicine

Dr. Doreen Okong Alaleit is a Ugandan emergency medicine doctor at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city of over four million residents. She heads the resuscitation team at Mulago, Uganda’s largest hospital, serves as president of the Emergency Care Association of Uganda, and is a mother of four. She is also a Seed Global Health educator, which means she teaches emergency medicine to undergraduate and graduate student nurses and doctors at Makerere University.

Shaping a career in medicine

Doreen was raised in a family of healthcare workers. Her mother was a nurse and her father an obstetrician. As the second-born and first girl, she felt a deep responsibility to make her parents proud.

During her medical internship at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, she became pregnant at 24. Motherhood gave her profound clarity about her purpose in medicine. “Holding my newborn son for the first time, I had a deeper appreciation for life and the role of health workers in sustaining it. In that moment, I truly knew why I had become a doctor—I wanted to save lives.”

Breaking barriers in emergency medicine

In 2017, Uganda partnered with Seed Global Health to establish a Master of Medicine (MMed) in emergency medicine. Despite emergency cases being a leading cause of death, emergency medicine was a new field in the country. Doreen joined the program in 2018 as part of its first cohort at Makerere University.

“Women are often expected to be excellent in many roles but not to push their limits. My parents raised me to believe otherwise. The discipline of excellence I cultivated meant societal expectations never deterred me.”

Pursuing her MMed while raising three children—and becoming pregnant with her fourth—was challenging, but she persevered. Of the eight students in her class, only three graduated in 2022, two of them women. “We refused to be stereotyped. Being a mother and wife did not mean we couldn’t study, be on the ward, or excel.”

Challenging gender bias in medicine

Since graduating, Doreen has encountered gender bias at work. Patients have assumed she was a nurse, even when male colleagues with fewer qualifications were addressed as doctors. “Some biases are cultural, but I don’t let them affect me.”

She has also had to assert herself in professional spaces where women are often overlooked. Instead of responding with frustration, she lets her work speak for itself.

A passion for teaching and leadership

As a Seed educator, Doreen now teaches nurses, undergraduate medical students, and MMed students. “When I studied emergency medicine, we had no mentors because there were so few emergency doctors in Uganda. I share with my students what I wished we had.”

She finds teaching deeply rewarding. “One student can go on to treat a mother, a family’s breadwinner, or a business owner. Saving one life impacts many others.”

Today, she is one of only 25 emergency medicine doctors in Uganda—all trained through Seed’s partnerships with Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). Thanks to these efforts, injury and trauma mortality rates have declined by approximately 50% compared to two decades ago.

Leading emergency response and Ebola preparedness

At Mulago Hospital, Doreen leads the resuscitation team in the accident and emergency ward, where every day is intense. “The job involves a rush of energy—it can be chaotic, but it’s amazing. Treating patients near death and bringing them back is incredible.”

During Uganda’s recent Ebola outbreak in early 2025, Doreen played a key role. When a confirmed case emerged, she and her team had to act swiftly to ensure the safety of students, patients, and themselves. “Doctors sometimes forget that we, too, are human and vulnerable. This outbreak was a stark reminder.”

She emphasized infection prevention protocols and prioritized safety. “Emergency medicine is the hospital’s point of entry, making it critical but also highly vulnerable to exposure if precautions aren’t followed.”

Seed supported Mulago Hospital with personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained over 1,100 health workers nationwide on infection prevention protocols.

Reflections on International Women’s Day

For International Women’s Day 2025, themed “Accelerate Action,” Doreen highlights the need for greater access to training, scholarships, and mentorship programs for women in medicine.

She passionately speaks about eliminating silent biases in education and workplaces. “Women are judged harshly for getting pregnant, overlooked for promotions, and treated unfairly. I proudly share my story with my students—getting pregnant during residency didn’t stop me from completing my degree. Women shouldn’t be ashamed or shamed for having children.”

She also calls on men to be allies, recognizing that women juggle multiple responsibilities yet are just as capable of excelling.

Balancing family and career

Doreen doesn’t believe in perfect balance but focuses on time management. “At work, I dedicate myself fully. When I’m with my children, they have my full attention.”

She credits her success to a strong support system—her parents, husband, and a close-knit community. “It takes a village,” she says, referring to the collective support that helps her manage both career and motherhood.

Building a legacy for Uganda’s health system

Doreen dreams of a resilient Ugandan health system capable of meeting both present and future needs. As a Seed Educator, she’s helping build Uganda’s emergency medicine degree programs to equip health professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care.

“My children inspire me to work harder—not just for them, but for all children. I want to leave behind a strong, sustainable health system that allows future generations to thrive.”

For young girls aspiring to be doctors, she offers this advice: “The power is within you. My family encouraged me, but I also believed in myself. Medicine requires hard work and long hours, but it is incredibly rewarding. You must be teachable and humble. Always ask yourself—if roles were reversed and you were the patient, how would you want to be treated? That’s how I approach my work.”

Doreen’s story is one of resilience, excellence, and unwavering dedication to improving healthcare in Uganda. Her leadership is paving the way for future generations of women in emergency medicine, proving that with determination and support, women can excel in even the most demanding fields.