In the dimly lit wards of Kisii Level 5 Hospital, a young nurse once stood at the crossroads of chaos and care – juggling patient needs, resource shortages, and the constant hum of beeping monitors. That nurse was Larry Sisei, and even then, he had a gift for seeing what others missed: the system behind the struggle.
Today, Larry serves as a Medical Science Liaison at Johnson & Johnson, but his story isn’t just one of career progression – it’s a story of vision. A story of how one nurse dared to move beyond the bedside to improve healthcare systems and redefine safety for both patients and professionals.
Early Life and the Calling to Care
Larry’s journey began at Moi Forces Academy, where he graduated in the KCSE Class of 2003. From there, he joined the University of Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, driven by a deep conviction that healthcare was more than a career – it was a calling.
“I’ve always felt the need to touch lives,” he recalls. “I’ve long believed that healthcare is one of the most direct ways to make a difference.”
That belief became the heartbeat of his life’s work – guiding him from hospital wards to corporate corridors, from direct care to systemic change.
The Defining Moment
While working as a Nursing Officer at Kisii Level 5 Hospital, Larry led a groundbreaking infection prevention project that would shape the rest of his career.
The project focused on the assessment of the life of a peripheral IV catheter – from insertion to removal – and sought to uncover how routine practices, often overlooked, could impact infection rates and healthcare worker safety.
It was structured around three critical pillars:
- Baseline Assessment – Identifying gaps in IV insertion practices, infection control, and the prevalence of needlestick injuries and IV-related complications.
- Capacity Building – Training healthcare workers to address the identified gaps through hands-on workshops, clinical mentorship, and continuous quality improvement.
- Intervention – Introducing a safety-engineered device to reduce needlestick injuries and embedding infection prevention strategies into daily practice.
The results were transformative – a significant increase in IV catheter dwell time, reduction in infection rates, and improved healthcare worker safety scores.
“It wasn’t just about devices or data,” Larry explains. “It was about changing mindsets — making infection prevention a culture, not a checklist.”
From Clinical Insight to Corporate Impact
That project marked the start of Larry’s evolution from clinician to systems innovator.
His work revealed how evidence-based interventions could save not just lives, but also time, costs, and professional morale.
It also opened doors to broader impact — leading him to the corporate healthcare space, where he now applies his clinical grounding to strategic collaboration as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) at Johnson & Johnson.
In this role, he bridges the gap between science and clinical practice, working with healthcare professionals to translate research into real-world outcomes. His mission remains the same — improving patient safety, empowering clinicians, and driving evidence-based interventions at scale.
“The MSL role allows me to combine both worlds,” he says. “I can take what I learned in the wards and apply it at a national level – influencing change that reaches far beyond one hospital.”
Leadership, Empathy, and the Human Side of Systems
Colleagues describe Larry as a reformer with empathy – a professional who listens deeply, communicates clearly, and leads with quiet authority.
His leadership is rooted not in hierarchy, but in service – the belief that transformation begins when people feel seen, heard, and supported.
He is passionate about capacity building and continues to mentor nurses, clinical officers, and public health workers – reminding them that safety, compassion, and quality are inseparable.
“When we build people, we build systems,” he says. “The strongest infection prevention strategy is an empowered healthcare worker.”
Balancing Ambition and Humanity
Despite a demanding career, Larry remains grounded.
He finds balance through music, running, preaching, and – to the surprise of many – cooking, especially anything involving wheat flour.
“Cooking keeps me centered,” he laughs. “It’s my therapy.”
He’s also an advocate of work-life integration rather than balance, emphasising prioritisation, rest, and faith as the anchors of sustained impact.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup,” he often reminds his mentees. “Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.”
Lessons for the Next Generation
Larry’s journey offers a powerful lesson for young healthcare professionals navigating a rapidly changing landscape.
He challenges them to embrace curiosity, experiment fearlessly, and find purpose beyond routine.
“Take time. Try new things. Don’t rush to specialize,” he advises. “Sometimes your purpose will find you in the most unexpected places.”
He believes the future of healthcare belongs to those who can bridge disciplines — clinicians who can think strategically, communicate effectively, and lead compassionately.
Looking Ahead
Larry envisions a future where infection prevention and patient safety are not side programs, but central pillars of healthcare delivery.
His dream is to continue shaping national and regional strategies that empower healthcare workers, reduce occupational hazards, and strengthen resilience in health systems.
“We can’t build strong health systems if the people inside them aren’t safe,” he says. “Every intervention must protect both the patient and the professional.”
The Legacy of a Reform-Minded Nurse
From the hospital wards of Kisii to the boardrooms of a global healthcare leader, Larry Sisei represents a new breed of African healthcare professional — one who blends empathy with evidence, and compassion with innovation.
His infection prevention project wasn’t just a success story — it was a blueprint for how thoughtful leadership can turn simple observations into systemic solutions.
“Dare to chart a path of your own,” he says with conviction. “Don’t just follow the script — write your own.”
Written by The Medical Hub Team
In Focus Edition: Stories of Vision, Courage, and Reform.
