Training School

Research and Training

Research

The Directorate of Research and Training is mandated to provide strategic leadership and coordination in research, training, innovation, partnerships, resource mobilization, and knowledge management within the Hospital. The Directorate supports the development of a vibrant academic and research environment through policy development, capacity building, research governance, and dissemination of knowledge. It also oversees internally and externally funded projects while providing relevant support services to researchers, students, and staff. The Directorate coordinates training programs, Continuous Medical Education (CMEs), consultancy services, extension, and outreach activities to communities within the country and beyond.
Established in 2008, the Directorate is headed by a Director who reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for administering the hospital’s research policy. The Directorate coordinates scientific and ethical review of research proposals, identifies and disseminates funding opportunities, and offers technical guidance in proposal development, mentorship, and research implementation. Through collaborations with local and international institutions, the Directorate promotes collaborative research, innovation, and evidence generation in health sciences.

The Directorate also serves as the coordinating office for the Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC), which provides independent and timely ethical review of human research projects, ethical oversight, and guidance on research involving human subjects, confidentiality, and handling of human tissue. JOOTRH’s ISERC was first launched in June 2006 and draws multidisciplinary membership in accordance with the standards of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). The committee was registered by the Federal Wide Assurance in 2018 and continues to uphold ethical and regulatory standards in research activities.

The current ISERC is constituted as follows:
1. Dr. Mary Onyango – Chairperson – Lecturer Maseno University (Pharmacy)
2. Jeremiah Nyoni – Secretary – Student Coordinator JOOTRH (Nursing)
3. Dr. Allan Yienya – Member – Senior Director Research and Training (JOOTRH/urology)
4. Dr. Allan Otieno – Member – Senior Research & Pediatrician KEMRI (Pediatric)
5. Prof. Stephen Ogendo – Member – Ag DVC Maseno University (surgery)
6. Dr. Dickens Onyango – Member – Epidemiologist
7. Prof. Clement Shimuli – Member – Lecturer Uzima University (Microbiology)
8. Dr. Joyce Otieno –Member – Lecturer Maseno University (Statistician)
9. Georgina Imbaya – Member/legal representative – Lawyer/legal person
10. Joyce Odenyo – Member/lay person – ISERC Lay Person
11. Dr. Norah Momanyi – Member – Lecturer Maseno University (Nursing Department)
12. Prof. Shem Otoi – Member – Lecturer, Research Statistician
13. Dr. Stephen Gwer – Member – Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maseno University School of Medicine
14. Dr. Seth Mikaye – Member – Lecturer Maseno University (Pharmacy)

As a level six Teaching and Referral Hospital in Western Kenya, JOOTRH has established long-standing collaborations with renowned research and academic partners including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Walter Reed Research Project (WRP), Mildmay International, KEMRI, FACES, ICAP, K-MET, and other institutions. The hospital also serves as a training and research site for students from universities and medical training institutions undertaking practical attachment and research activities.
The Directorate is committed to strengthening institutional research governance, enhancing staff capacity through mentorship and academic advancement, increasing the quality and quantity of research outputs, promoting evidence-based practice, and supporting innovation in healthcare delivery. It also facilitates knowledge dissemination through seminars, conferences, journals, and research repositories while supporting policy formulation through research findings and ensuring protection of intellectual property rights and commercialization of innovations.
Guided by its mission “to build capacity, promote, coordinate and facilitate research training and uptake activities in the institution,” the Directorate aspires to become a center of excellence in research and training with meaningful impact on healthcare delivery, academic growth, and community transformation.

Training
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Training School, established in 2018, is shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals through quality medical training and hands-on clinical experience. Situated within one of the region’s leading referral hospitals, the school operates under the Directorate of Research and Training, whose mandate includes coordinating research activities, providing infrastructure for training, and overseeing continuous medical education programs, among other functions. This environment gives students direct exposure to real healthcare settings, enabling them to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
The Training School is managed by a dedicated leadership structure comprising the Training School Council and the Principal, who coordinates activities between class tutors and students to ensure effective learning and administration.
Guided by its vision of becoming an excellent training institution in the provision of quality healthcare training in East and Central Africa, the school is equipped with certified and professional staff committed to delivering quality education and mentorship. The institution also collaborates with other leading healthcare training institutions, including Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital, to support effective student assessment and training standards.
The Training School offers healthcare-related courses designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. These programs vary in duration and entry requirements, catering to individuals at different levels of academic qualification. The table below provides a detailed overview of the courses offered, including their duration and the minimum qualifications required for admission.

The training school in partnership with the College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa offers fellowship training in general surgery, obstetrical gynecology and anesthesia. It has developed a strong working relationship with Moi Teaching and Referral hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital which has contributed to enhancement of its’ training program.
One of the key strengths of the Training School is its strong emphasis on hands-on learning. The school’s mission is to provide quality medical training that promotes professional practice through research and appropriate technology. To achieve this, students undertake mandatory clinical rotations following theoretical instruction, allowing them to gain practical exposure and build competence in real clinical environments. Its strategic location within the hospital provides an ideal setting for students to sharpen their skills while reinforcing their practical knowledge.
The school’s core function is to produce competent, skilled, and specialized healthcare providers capable of meeting the evolving demands of the healthcare sector. In addition to academic excellence, the institution upholds discipline and integrity as key values that guide student conduct and professional development.