Awards
- School of Informatics Young Alumni Award - 2015
Judy Wawira Gichoya arrived at the IUPUI School of Informatics and Computing with an MD from Moi University in Kenya. Her dedication to delivering innovative healthcare to far-flung populations in a large, underserved country is the impetus behind her relocation to Indianapolis and her acquisition, in 2012, of her M.S. in health informatics at IUPUI.
Access to medical records is key to providing critical health care in developing countries, and Dr. Gichoya’s informatics training informed her work with Open MRS, a group whose aim is to improve communication and care through use of open source electronic medical records systems. Working as implementer and trainer, she both consults with local providers, clinics, and stakeholders in building their technical capacity and further advocates for improved technology and delivery at conferences and gatherings.
Dr. Gichoya is currently a resident in IU School of Medicine’s diagnostic radiology program. Still, she manages to return home to Kenya, where she also has been working with an IU radiology team in a mobile x-ray bus. This work is increasing the range and speed in testing, diagnosing, and treating patients otherwise out of reach of care. Driven by her experience and education, she has her eyes set on continuing to introduce the technology and delivery of care that is transforming medical practice in Kenya.