Coming Full Circle: From Learning to Leading

Dr. Chelsea Shikuku, a recent graduate of CURE’s first-ever pediatric orthopedic fellowship, is now leading research teams and educating the next generation of surgeons in Kenya.

CURE is dedicated to changing the world for the approximately 1.75 children across the globe who lack access to surgical care. And the best way to make that happen? Training the next generation of world-class surgeons.

Dr. Chelsea Shikuku, the newest Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at AIC-CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya (CURE Kenya), perfectly embodies the fulfillment of that mission.

In December 2025, Dr. Chelsea graduated from CURE’s first-ever pediatric orthopedic fellowship, a collaborative effort between CURE Kenya and CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia. She began serving full-time as a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at CURE Kenya in January 2026.

Training at CURE

Africa faces a severe shortage of pediatric surgeons, with some regions having fewer than one specialist per 7 million children. CURE is working to change that.

Expanding Access To Surgical Care

Raised in Naro Maru, a small town in central Kenya that serves as a base for hikers tackling the climb up Mount Kenya, Dr. Chelsea was inspired to become a doctor after seeing Kenya’s need for national orthopedic surgeons while volunteering at a home for children with disabilities.

“God has been faithful, and now years down the line, I get to train in the subspecialty I dreamt of back in the day,” she recalls.

After earning her medical degree from the University of Nairobi in 2016, she completed an internship and worked as a Medical Officer before beginning a five-year residency at CURE Kenya, which she completed in December 2023. She then went on to finish the fellowship.

Africa, the continent with the world’s fastest-growing population, faces a critical shortage of surgical specialists like Dr. Chelsea due to limited training capacity and scarce resources. CURE is committed to addressing this void. By training national medical professionals, we’re expanding access to care and ensuring a lasting impact within our hospitals and the broader national health systems.

Last year alone, 146 fellows and residents trained at CURE hospitals. CURE also held 600 clinical training events to equip and strengthen local healthcare workers.

More highly skilled surgeons and healthcare workers mean more children get the care they desperately need.

An Investment With A Lasting Impact

Dr. Chelsea represents the full circle of CURE’s investment in training. In addition to her clinical work, she is the hospital’s Head of Education and Research, advancing best practices and monitoring data to ensure the highest-quality care possible. She also mentors and trains residents and fellows, equipping the next generation of compassionate surgeons.

Dr. Timothy Nunn, Medical Director at CURE Ethiopia, supervised Dr. Chelsea during her residency and has appreciated seeing her embrace a leadership role. “Dr Chelsea has excellent people skills and outstanding capabilities in teaching, critical decision-making, and surgical skills, and she is an encouragement to others,” he says.

Dr. Chelsea knows her work as a specialty surgeon is vital. By correcting children’s disabilities, she helps them grow into healthy, active members of society. It also frees their caregivers to provide for their families.

“Transforming a child’s life impacts generations to come,” she says. “It is humbling to . . . stand in the gap to meet the need for expertise in this field in this part of the world.”

In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Chelsea deeply values the spiritual care CURE provides for staff through prayer, Bible studies, and ongoing faith-based encouragement. This support better equips her to deliver the compassionate, Christ-centered care that sets CURE apart—attending to every child’s physical needs as well as their emotional and spiritual well-being.

“We can’t give from empty cups, so the fact that we’re filled every day allows us to fill other people’s cups,” she notes.

Because of partners like you, Dr. Chelsea is able to provide life-changing surgery for children today, train the next generation of surgeons, and transform lives for years to come. Thank you!

Keeping Up with the Herd

Growing up in a pastoralist family that travels with their herds, movement is life for William. So when he developed bowed legs, his parents were greatly concerned. Thankfully, he was referred to CURE when a mobile clinic visited near his school. Today, after Dr. Chelsea performed specialized surgery, William is running, playing, and keeping up with his herd! It’s a transformation that his mom says is “the Lord’s doing.”