This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr June Fabian, Director of Clinical Research at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, whose journey from pharmacist to nephrologist and researcher exemplifies determination, passion, and a fierce commitment to advancing kidney health across Africa.

From Pharmacy to Medicine

Dr. Fabian reflects on the obstacles she overcame, from financial hardship and familial resistance to self‑doubt to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. She shares how her grounding in pharmacy first ignited her love for research, and how that early laboratory experience sharpened her resolve to bring hands‑on clinical care to patients with complex conditions

Dreams, Determination and Agency

Listeners will hear Dr. Fabian’s insights on nurturing ambition in the face of discouragement: the value of identifying non‑negotiables, leaning on a supportive circle, and finding creative routes when traditional pathways seem blocked. She offers practical advice on overcoming self‑sabotage, choosing environments that empower you, and the transformative power of when someone has helped you that your thanks could be to help another and “pay it forward”.

Navigating Gender Dynamics

In a candid discussion of gender in male‑dominated spaces, Dr. Fabian recounts both blatant and subtle biases she’s encountered, from dismissive comments in clinical wards to the unspoken expectation that women handle administrative tasks. She explains how she has reshaped her leadership style to challenge territoriality, foster inclusive mentorship, and advocate for tailored career‑development support for early‑career women.

Kidney Disease in Africa: Silent, Deadly, Misunderstood

Dr. Fabian unpacks why kidney disease remains under the radar, including confusion over its causes in African contexts, limited funding, and the high cost of treatment that may deter screening. She highlights new therapies that can delay disease progression and argues for integrating simple, low‑cost kidney screening into routine care for high‑risk groups (hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and pregnancy‑related conditions), even in resource‑constrained clinics.

Gendered Nuances of Renal Health

Delving deeper, she explores how physiological factors (e.g., pregnancy‑related hypertension and diagnostic formulas based on muscle mass) and socioeconomic barriers (access to dialysis and transplant) uniquely affect women. Dr. Fabian urges healthcare workers to use every patient interaction as an opportunity for health education.

Sustaining the Self Behind the Scientist

Drawing on her own burnout during the HIV epidemic’s peak, Dr. Fabian discusses the importance of firm boundaries, “quiet time” habits (her adaptation of the 5 AM Club), and a self‑care toolkit that preserves long‑term resilience. She shares how learning to slow down, rather than quit, has been crucial to sustaining both personal wellbeing and professional momentum.

Words of Encouragement

As the conversation closes, Dr. Fabian delivers a rallying cry to girls and women everywhere: hold fast to your dreams, don’t let anyone shut you down. Work out how to achieve your dreams and you can do it.

Tune in for more