Patchwork of Generosity

A $100,000 donation from a volunteer UC professor was inspired by his student’s tragic past and big dreams.

By Caitlin Whitehurst

Despite losing four of her 13 siblings to preventable health conditions early in her life, Maria Nakafeero feels blessed.

The 27-year-old University of Cincinnati College of Medicine student is pursuing her master’s in public health (MPH) – a career path motivated by those early life tragedies and a desire to want to improve health conditions in her home country of Uganda.

“Three of my siblings passed away before age 5 from preventable health conditions,” Nakafeero said. “My 26-year-old pregnant sister collapsed in a field and died. These experiences really inspired me to pursue a career in public health.”

Destined for UC

Getting to UC was not easy for Nakafeero. She relied on scholarships and contributions from others to make the journey.

“I’m a patchwork of generosity from all the people in my life,” Nakafeero said. “So many people have helped me up to this point.”

In 2007, a group of medical missionaries met with Maria and a young girl named Mackline Tumusiime, who had been mauled by a pig as a baby. The group sought to sponsor Tumusiime’s facial reconstruction surgeries.

In July 2011, Nakafeero boarded a plane bound for the United States. She would serve as Tumusiime’s translator and caretaker over the next few years.

It was during Nakafeero’s time taking Tumusiime to appointments at Shriners Hospitals for Children that she came to know UC.

“We used to pass campus all the time,” Nakafeero said. “I never dreamed I could go here.”

She almost couldn’t.

A professor steps up

After her first semester in UC’s public health program, Nakafeero wondered how she would fund the remainder of her education. Her host family was covering her living expenses, but she still needed tuition.

Enter Professor James T. O’Reilly.

O’Reilly, a volunteer professor at UC, taught the Public Health Policy and Systems course in which Nakafeero was enrolled. Her story resonated with him, and he wanted to ensure students like her could remain in the program.

“With students you hope you’ll eventually inspire some and teach all,” said O’Reilly. “Maria has a remarkably bright future and I’m happy to give a person with that strength, that bright future, the hope that her potential can be realized.”

Professor O’Reilly donated $100,000 to UC establishing the James O’Reilly International Student Scholarship Fund for the Master of Public Health Degree. The fund benefits students from developing nations who plan to return to their home country to improve its public health. Nakafeero will receive its first scholarship.

“The idea is for students to bloom where they are planted,” said O’Reilly. “If we nourish educational opportunities for people in Third World nations, and they in turn excel in these countries, their countries become stronger.”

“Thank you Professor O’Reilly,” Nakafeero said. “I’ll do my best to pass forward the blessing I’ve received.”

Nakafeero is on track to graduate in December 2015.