Dr Jean Marie Vianney Bishop

Dr Jean Bishop was just five years old when a bomb destroyed her home in Rwanda, taking the lives of her entire family and community. She survived, lying among the dead for two days, until a kind stranger carried her to safety. She became a child refugee, traveling with strangers and eventually finding refuge in Kenya. From these early experiences of loss and hardship, Jean developed a profound determination to make a difference in the world.

“The rest of my family died, but I survived. I was found in a pile of bodies. I must be strong, I survived for a reason, and I need to make a difference.” 

Jean’s commitment to medicine took a pivotal turn during a medical internship in Kenya, where she met a woman from Voi who had endured five stillbirths. Witnessing the devastating impact of inadequate maternal care inspired her to shift her focus to midwifery, driven by a mission to provide safer and more equitable care for women in vulnerable communities.

To deepen her expertise, she completed a Master of Midwifery Studies at the University of Newcastle, graduating with First Class Honours, with the goal of using her education to improve maternal health outcomes in Kenya.

“The problem is so big in Taita-Taveta County that 4000 babies are dying every year - that’s six out of ten babies!” 

Determined to respond to this maternal health crisis, Jean established the Grace Maternity Hospital and Midwifery School in Voi, laying the foundations for a sustainable model of care that aims to improve maternal and newborn health for generations to come.

This project has been brought to life through Jean’s sheer determination to make a difference. Investing her own income into the construction of the hospital, Jean has inspired others to join her mission. The local community has rallied behind her: the land was generously donated by a local woman, twelve Rwandan boys and their father contributed their time and resources to support the build, and another community member donated vital equipment.

This groundswell of support reflects Jean’s remarkable ability to inspire belief in her mission and unite others in the pursuit of lasting change. Today, the Grace Maternity Hospital stands with six birthing rooms and a pharmacy, providing essential care to the local community and transforming maternal health outcomes in the region.

The project not only provides life-saving care through the hospital but also equips local women with the knowledge and skills to become midwives through the Midwifery School, creating a sustainable and lasting impact on maternal and newborn health. Jean is collaborating with the University of Newcastle to develop a midwifery curriculum based on the International Confederation of Midwives’ global competency standards for midwifery practice.

“Maternal deaths and newborn deaths are common in the whole continent of Africa. I want to create a model that we can spread everywhere because you cannot just save one region.  I want no mother to die if it is preventable. I want no baby to die if it is preventable. Anything preventable, should not kill mothers or babies, that is the goal.” 

While her work in Kenya is creating lasting change, Jean’s commitment to health equity also extends to Australia, where she is making an impact much closer to home. As a Maternal and Child Health Specialist with the WA Country Health Service, she provides equitable and culturally sensitive care to mothers and children in remote Aboriginal communities across the Kimberley region.

Fluent in Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French, and English, Jean bridges cultures and communities, allowing her to connect deeply with those she serves. Her work embodies the dedication and advocacy that have defined her journey; that health and dignity are rights for all, not privileges for a few.

Jean’s story is a testament to how courage, vision, and unwavering determination can transform even the darkest experiences into a powerful force for life-changing impact.