Author Archives: Tenayistilign

About Tenayistilign

I am a physician trained at Jimma Institute of Health Sciences ( now Jimma University, in Jimma, Ethiopia) and Wayne State University ( Detroit, MI, USA). I teach and practice General Nephrology/Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation in the USA.

A letter to Miku

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Tenayistilign

This is my second letter to you. Michael, I want to remind you how much you enjoyed the bouncy house.  You had fun. Your sister had fun. The invited children all had fun. You were at your best in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 1 Comment

The Gummy

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Tenayistilign

Poem by Bethel Surafel I have a gummy, That looks so yummy, But it is an eraser, That you erase with on paper, But kids think it is a real gummy, So when you eat it, It tastes yummy. Bethel … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | 1 Comment

A LETTER TO MIKU

Posted on October 24, 2021 by Tenayistilign

Miku, I slowed down as if something hit me. Fortunately there were no cars behind and I was able to make a safe U-turn just before the entrance to the freeway. The flight was a little over 2 hours away … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 2 Comments

The ETHIOPIAN CULTURAL GARDEN, CLEVELAND, OHIO—A MONUMENT for the AGES

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Tenayistilign

CLEVELAND’S INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL GARDEN PARK This beautiful riverine park, given to Cleveland by Rockefeller in 1898, stretching from Lake Erie to University Circle, evolved into a large multi-cultural peace garden. First was the Shakespeare Garden in 1916. Since then, plots … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

“I want to come with you to the hospital,”

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Tenayistilign

“I want to come with you to the hospital, see my stethoscope and mask, mommy got it for me” That was the sweet sound of my soon to be 4 year old daughter waiting for me after a busy hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 1 Comment

COVID-19 in Africa

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Tenayistilign

The impact of COVID-19 in Africa is frightening. Africa already carries 23% of the global disease burden such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis but only accounts for 1% of the global health expenditure. There are over 4300 confirmed infections with COVID-19 … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Health | Leave a comment

“Safe Abortion,” but safe to whom ?

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Tenayistilign

Solomie Deribessa , M.D., MPH. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon in 2005, after finishing my usual daily activity, I took a taxi to go home. Along the way I was reading a small booklet about the facts of abortion. … Continue reading →

Posted in Opinion, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Wins the Nobel Prize!

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Tenayistilign

“Abiy Ahmed has initiated important reforms that give many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! This is a moment to cherish.

Posted in Current events, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A piece of my practice : you cannot shake my hands!

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Tenayistilign

Solomie Deribessa, MD, MPH After the morning report, patients’ charts had piled up on my desk and the nurse started calling one by one. The first patient came just to refill drugs, the second one had common cold, the third … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 2 Comments

Saving Ethiopia

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Tenayistilign

April 2, …. I, my wife, our 9 year old daughter and 7 year old boy are taking off the Ethiopian after a 13 hour flight from Washington DC. For our children this was their most important trip. They were … Continue reading →

Posted in Opinion | 3 Comments