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PATS/ATS Women’s Leadership Program (2025)
Empowering African Women in Respiratory Health: A Look at the PATS/ATS MECOR Africa Women's Leadership Program
The Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) / American Thoracic Society (ATS) MECOR Africa Women’s Leadership Program recently concluded its second cohort with a highly successful session, reinforcing its commitment to fostering strong female leadership in respiratory health across the continent. This visionary program seeks to empower women to overcome barriers, cultivate leadership skills, and advance their careers with confidence and resilience. The session was expertly led by Susan Chabuka Banda-Mudiwa, a distinguished female coach from Kenya, who prepared specialized activities and exercises to further enhance the participants’ leadership skills and confidence.
The program, which focuses on equipping women in or aspiring to leadership positions with the tools to overcome challenges and fears, was held on 6-7 September at the Pride Inn Azuri hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
The training began with one-on-one introductory sessions, allowing participants to engage personally, identify their leadership goals, and establish a foundation for mentorship.
Following the in-person workshop, the program continued with structured online meetings throughout the year. These sessions provided ongoing mentorship, accountability, and leadership development support. Susan also designed and facilitated a range of practical activities aimed at strengthening leadership skills, communication, and professional growth.
This initiative is exclusively designed for alumni of the PATS MECOR research training program who have completed all three levels, creating a powerful network of experienced professionals
Celebrating the 2025 Fellowship Recipients
A highlight of the program was the recognition of five exceptional women who were awarded a prestigious, all-expense-paid fellowship to attend the training. These inspiring leaders represent the future of African respiratory health:
The entire initiative was founded by the visionary Sonia Buist, a world-renowned expert in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the highest lifetime donor in ATS history. She is affectionately known as “Mama MECOR” by her students, a title that honors her dedication and energy in establishing and driving the program’s success and impact. A heartfelt vote of thanks goes to MAMA MECOR for her unwavering commitment, and to the program directors, Professor Refiloe Masekela (South Africa) and Professor Obianuju Ozoh (Nigeria), for their leadership in seeing this vital program through.
