2023 Leadership Journey Project: Increasing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) screening uptake to improve quality of life for women living with HIV in Rwanda
Valentine Dushimiyimana is an intuitive public health scientist with a passion for making a positive impact on society. With over 10 years of experience in the health sector, she has developed extensive research and managerial skills, working with a network of public health and research scientists. Her determination, vision, hard work, and ambition have earned her a reputation as a respected leader in the field of global health.
Valentine currently serves as the Acting Strategic Information Specialist at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC)/Research Innovation and Data Science Division. She has held various positions throughout her career, including CV Analyst for Master and PhD fellows at Ghent University, Contact Tracer in the Rwanda COVID-19 Joint Task Force (JTF), Regulatory Affairs Senior Officer at RBC/Medical Research Centre, Inventory Staff at Medical Procurement Distribution Division, and Peer Educator at Population Service International (PSI), Rwanda. Additionally, she is a trainer and mentor to master’s students and young women in different areas, including business development.
She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and is a Doctoral candidate in Health Sciences at Ghent University and Cape Town University. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including the 2020 L’OrĂ©al-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa programme’s 20 Young Talents award. She is passionate about leadership development and empowering women to achieve their full potential in global health leadership.
Fun Fact: she enjoys visiting new places, sharing information and opportunities, supporting young women focusing on business ideas, writing poems/theater, knitting, and cooking traditional Rwandese food. She loves to travel with Isombe and share it with new friends.