Patrick Mwai is Smile Train’s Manager of Education and Training for Africa. In this role, he supports the Africa team’s efforts to implement and grow education and training programs for Smile Train’s partners across the continent, in line with Smile Train’s strategic plan. Part of his work involves managing Smile Train’s scholarship program in the region, as well as seeking out and managing Education and Training partnerships with training institutions in all cleft care disciplines.

Patrick is a public health communication and advocacy specialist with over 16 years of experience. He has played a key role in supporting efforts to eradicate neglected surgical conditions (cleft lip and palate, cataract, hernia, obstetric fistula, clubfoot, and untreated trauma) in Kenya and the wider East Africa Region.

Prior to joining Smile Train, Patrick was the Country Director at the International Collaboration for Essential Surgery (ICES) and the Country Coordinator for the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). He has also worked with local and international organizations, including Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO), Pathfinder International, PATH International, and the Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anaesthesia Care (G4 Alliance).

His extensive collaboration with various Ministries of Health in East Africa has seen him serve as a committee member in National Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anaesthesia Plans (NSOAP) in Tanzania and Kenya.

Patrick obtained his BA in sociology and communication and master’s in public health from The University of Nairobi and earned a diploma in management of information systems from Strathmore University. He is also an AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) Fellow.

He is a grateful husband and father of two adorable daughters.