SMU Alumni e-Newsletter December 2023 PDF

2023/ 2nd Edi on - December | e-Newsle er Vukosi Msimeki has a mission to redefine...

2023/ 2nd Edi on - December | e-Newsle er Vukosi Msimeki has a mission to redefine the field of dietetics... Dr Ldiwe Sibisi-Maboye: Dr. Pertunia Founder and Director of Kids Mathibe Dental Home Foundation Changing the Face of Aesthe cs in AFRICA Face to Face with Dr Carl Tabane - SMU Alumnus & Mamelodi Sundowns Team Physician  Dr Carl Tabane Tell us about yourself, early years, where you were born, schooling until matric and how where you as a child? I was born and bred in Mamelodi, under very difficult circumstances. My parents had me at very tender ages and I was literally raised by my Grandmother, who had just lost her husband 4 months after I was born. I did all my schooling in Mamelodi, starting with Kindergarten at Mxolisi Creche, then my primary school at Agnes Chidi Primary School from Sub-A(Grade 1) until Standard 2(Grade 4) and Refentse Primary School from Standard 3(Grade 5) until Standard 5(Grade 7). I then moved to Vlakfontein Technical High from Standard 6 until Matric. I have always been a reserved, shy and quiet child, personality that evolved into my adult life. I was very much aware of the difficult family con nues to page 3... Phaladi Seakgwe Edinah Ndlovu Dr Lusani Rabelani Editor Relebogile Mabusela Addi onal photos Netshitomboni Dineo Motshegare Intern Jaco Jansen Van Rensburg Editor in Chief Graphic Designer Addi onal photos Tsireledzo Mandane Tumelo Moila Intern Other photos Writer supplied by interviewees 2 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 circumstances which motivated me to work harder from a Finance was also a huge challenge and constant thorn to my very young age. “There's nothing difficult but hard work”, dream. My Parents could only afford my registration fees, said my late Grandmother. and I didn't even qualify for Tefsa( NSFAS) at that time, therefore my only option was to apply for a student loan. At what stage did you realize that you will study Luckily Standard bank and Absa came to my rescue and only medicine? needed suretyship, with no requirements for monthly Besides it being a calling, I had great influence from a TV interest or instalment service from my Parents. This drama in the 80's, about a Medical Dr called Motsie; and had obviously came at a huge cost, imagine how much I owed at great admiration and mentorship from our Family Doctor at the end of my studies!! the time ( Dr TP Tlailane, alumni of Medunsa as well). The training at Medunsa was more hands on, the teaching How did you end up at Medunsa, now SMU? very intense and one was thrown into the deep end much I vividly remember how adamant I was during my Matric earlier and that's what made it so great. I wonder if anything year, that I'm only going to submit my application at only one has changed though? The graduates that I have interacted institution, Medunsa at the time. I obviously had a lot of with recently have shared the same sentiments. influence from my Mentor, Dr Tlailane, I appreciated his quality of work and in my mind, only one institution could The environment was exceptional. Different races, cultural do that. So I applied, and I was accepted. I remember when I backgrounds, religious beliefs and social interaction. I always got the post mail in February 1995. I was over the moon! say to my kids those were the best years of my life were at Varsity! Take us through your days at Medunsa, how was it When did you complete your studies at Medunsa like and what in your view made the institution and where did you go immediately after that? great at the time. I completed my studies in 2000 and December 15 of the I arrived in Medunsa in 1995 and resided at the Nurses very year, I commenced with my internship at Kalafong home, W5 block, the main residence was full, and had no Hospital. I remember my 1st call like it were yesterday. I space at all. We were 5 in the room and I must say, it was started in the Surgical department and was the 1st point of the best year by far. We had to do a lot for ourselves contact at Casualty, an elderly woman with a perforated including cooking as the main cafeteria was far and had to peptic ulcer! I'm glad I went to Medunsa! Those were our walk for a while to get meals. It was the best introduction daily cases and so the transition from being a student was ever to independent life. smooth. My best rotation though was Obs and Gynae under the leadership of Prof Pattinson. The teaching and exposure I only moved to the main residence a year after during my “ was superb to say the least. I left the department having second year. being offered a registrar post after completion of my community service. Least did I know I would end up a Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician. So when I was accepted at Medunsa, After Kalafong I had brief stint at Helen Joseph Hospital, but truly speaking wasn't happy. So I asked to be moved to I was afforded my second choice, Limpopo, preferably a very rural hospital. It was very easy to Dentistry(BDS), as I was short of a few find a swop because most colleagues were not comfortable points to get into the MBChB program. with such areas. So in March 2001, I started work at Luckily, the 1st year curricular of Tsimanyane Hospital close to Marble Hall. I still feel till date that that's where I bloomed as a your Dr. We were 5 Drs the 2 programs was exactly the same. including the Superintendent, Dr Kabwa. We were each Admin office advised that I should work allocated a department to run, and I ran the Obs and Gynae hard and at least get 2 distinctions year department. Most of my colleagues are surprised till today that I never pursued it further. I simply loved it. end to be accepted into MBChB. Pleased to say, I didn't get 2 but 5 distinctions I stopped working full-time at Tsimanyane Hospital in Feb and saw my dream of becoming 2003 and continued with sessional work. That's when I commenced with my GP practice, which is currently 20 a Dr slowly fall into place. years old. During that time, I also did sessional work at Philadelphia and Mamelodi Hospital until 2007. continues to page 4... 3 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 When you started working, did you feel that the How was it like to be part of the National team and University equipped you with the necessary skills at what contribution did you make? the time to be able to serve communities? I think for any South African to represent the country in any Medunsa provided me with everything I needed. As alluded area of work, is a great honour and privilege. And I therefore to above, the teaching and exposure was spot on. I worked accepted the opportunity with the greatest humility. I never in a very rural area where you supposed to be the “best” for imagined my Sports Career to reach those heights. And I the community and I felt comfortable and confident. I would remembered what my Grandmother always said to me recommend Medunsa/SMU to any aspiring Dr. “there's nothing difficult but hard work”. This was the fruits of hard work and this motivated me even more and more. I You are known to be very active in the sporting had the opportunity to work with Great coaches; Coach fraternity, take us through your journey in sports, Pitso Mosimane and Gordon Igesund. where did you start I have always been a “sporty” person from childhood. I I worked under a lot of pressure, having to follow players always had a passion for Soccer, played during my primary from so many leagues including our own PSL. The biggest and high school years. In Medunsa, I played as a goalkeeper challenge however was overseas teams, to earn their trust in for Santos. looking after their most valued assets “ the players”; whilst under our care at National Team level. And I think that's I'm currently an Endurance Runner with 6 Comrades medals. where the greatest amount of contribution set in, Running has become my passion and addiction. And it establishing rapport, constant communication and reporting. provides me with more perspective when dealing with sports Platers ply their trade for their teams, be it locally or injuries. Professional athletes are always faced with the fear internationally. And the greatest caveat is when they come of long-term/career ending injuries; and although I'm a back injured back to their team from National team “social” runner, it helps me better understand the mind of an participation. It is therefore critical to maintain a level of athlete and this helps me in encouraging them through an trust between the medical teams. One specific incident was injury rehabilitation process. when an international player suffered a career ending injury which required immediate surgical intervention in South In 2007, I decided to enrol for a Master Program in Sports Africa. If it wasn't for the established trust, the outcome Medicine at the University of Pretoria. And yes not Obs and would have been disastrous. Gynae. It took a lot out of me to take that decision. I looked at myself and where I would like to be later in life, my Tell us more about your time with Mamelodi character, passion and activity in Sports made it much easier. Sundowns. How does it feel to work with a team of And added to that, was the fact that the country didn't have champions? a lot of Sports and Exercise Medicine Physicians. A lot of Dec 2012, I get a message that Sundowns is offering me a young aspiring talent is lost through poor management of position to be their Team Physician and Head their Medical sporting injuries, and I wanted to make a difference. Department. It felt like a dream! Born and bred in Mamelodi In 2008, during my training, I was the invited to work as a and now offered the responsibility to look after my home Match Dr for the then AmaTuks football Club; and soon team? What could be better? But how do I let go of after that, I was introduced to Supersport United by Dr Supersport United? What are they going to say? I was met Ntlopi Mogoru. He needed someone to fill in his shoes as He with mixed feelings, not an easy decision at all. I had a very was pursuing other avenues. I remain forever grateful him. good working relationship with Coach Gavin, we still talk till This was though not easy, the transition to move to such a this day, I spoke to him and he gave me his blessings, made big Club which was winning so many trophies with big name me realise it is a progression in my career and only “the players. My “Medunsa persona” came to the foe and the fruits of hard work”. I gladly accepted the position. transition was seamless. I worked for Supersport United as their Team Physician from 2008 to 2012 with Coach Gavin The Motsepe Family has been supportive throughout. Hunt and my late dear friend Thomas Madigage. President Motsepe always says, only the best work for Sundowns. We are a family, He always uses this expression ·In 2009 and 2010, I was invited to work as a Medical when he greets you “Carl wa ko gae, wa madi le nama”, Officer for the FIFA Confederation Cup and World cup please translate that. But from that, you can feel the respectively. Now this was huge, the responsibility and welcome and the trust bestowed. “Blood is thicker” and exposure was tremendous. It lifted my Sports career to when you are referred to as such, you embrace the welcome another level. Thus it came as no surprise that in 2011, I was and feel at home. appointed the National Team Dr, Bafana Bafana. continues to page 5... 4 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 There is no bottom line at Mamelodi Sundowns, we have to My work at the Club has also given me so much exposure win at all times! No one remembers second best! So this that was recognised by FIFA. And last year I was one of the comes with a lot of pressure to perform, and one is met only 2 Africans that were appointed as FIFA Medical with challenges on a daily basis. We participate in all the Officers at the Qatar World Cup. tournaments and have only one mentality as a family, Win! What continues to drive you to continue practicing We have a won so many trophies I have honestly lost count. medicine? So many local PSL titles, over 10, every other trophy on Ÿ My passion to assist and help a fellow human being, offer locally, more than once. But the most significant are the Ÿ It is a calling that is forever driven by my favourite CAF Champions league, Super Cup and recently the African ethical principles Beneficence and Non-maleficence Football league. The former gave us a ticket to participate in Ÿ I practice medicine primarily for that and I strive to the FIFA Club World Cup in 2016. improve my skills at all time, to offer the best I can to my trusted patients and athletes. It is a high pressure and professional environment, you have Ÿ to deliver at all times, there's absolutely no place for What are the current projects you are working on? complacency. It's been over 10 years now, and I wouldn't I recently completed a Post graduate Diploma in trade it for anything. Occupational Health and Medicine and plan on marrying it with Sports Medicine through a PhD. Watch the space! Alumni play a significant role in the life of their Alma mater, what do you think can be done to bring more Alumni to serve their universities. Charity begins at home, and I feel as an Alumni of Medunsa, it would always remain my home. Who wouldn't want to see their home progress? Aren't we all patriotic? I feel through continuous engagements alumni would be afforded an opportunity to be made aware of what happens at the University. There is so much that we can give back to the University that made us be. Create forums or platforms that are easily accessible by Alumni. The University has gone through a name change, but I believe it doesn't change its culture, Medunsa / University of Limpopo / SMU, it's all the same and we should all remain proud. I still carry me “Medunsa persona” and it still drives me till today. What else would you like to tell our readers? Ÿ Black child nothing is impossible!!! Ÿ If you truly want it, believe in yourself and go get it! Ÿ There's nothing difficult but hard work, I am what I am through nothing but hard work! Ÿ I work for a team, its motto is “The Sky is the limit” and it has no bottom line, but winning! And we do win because we believe at all times! Ÿ So go out there, and the world is definitely your oyster! 5 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023  Dr Portia Mashaba - a Passionate Game Changer S MU Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery graduate Dr Bridget Portia Mashaba is renowned for being a game changer wherever she goes. The Mpumalanga-born aspiring physician has always been passionate about helping and reaching out to the community at large. She has a special interest in internal medicine and continuously shares her knowledge and skills for the benefit of the public through a Daily Thetha programme on SABC 1, resident doctor for Ligwalagwala FM, and guest writer for City Press newspaper. “The call for my life is to help people and I answered it early. It is more than just choosing the profession but I answered the call. Currently in training and mentored by passionate physicians who believe in me and continue to guide me since my internship until today. I believe Internal Medicine is the backbone of the medical profession. A physician can investigate and make continues to page 7... 6 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 diagnostics that will change a patient's life holistically,” Mukhari Academic Hospital,” said Mashaba who envisions enlightens Dr Mashaba. being a passionate female physician with her medical clinic. The passionate, humble and patient Mashaba stays up-to- There are some aspects of practising medicine that she date on current events in the medical and healthcare finds most challenging and she pours her heart out as she fraternities through continued learning. She works in a outlines them. She said not all days are the same and not all department that allows her to go for training and still conditions she treats the patients will have the best engage in teaching students and interns. “My continuous outcomes. Some things do get in her heart as she practices professional development (CPD) points increase with the passionately because sometimes her best is not good presentations and engagements I enrol with. Obtaining a enough. postgraduate Diploma in Internal Medicine and advanced On a positive note, she is proud of the journey and training to better my skills. My interest is in coming back to preparations she had for her Diploma in Internal Medicine. SMU and furthering my studies and serving at Dr George It allowed her to expand her skills and knowledge, crediting her mentors for grooming her. Her philosophy about medicine and treating patients requires her to treat every person, as she would want to be treated as well, as every life matters. She shares advice on her approach to discussing unpleasant topics with patients and their families. “I have to be compassionate but always tell the truth no matter how unpleasant it is. Everyone deserves facts rather than lies. Every condition is approached differently but the best is to always stick to basics and you will never get to a diagnosis until you fully investigate,” She further highlights that all stems down to proper history taking and touching patients. Technology is evolving but medical professionals should never assess any patient without proper examination. If unsure, it is always best to “ ask and consult. “My days in Lemonaid SA got me more passionate about community outreach and my love for others grew from there. Lastly being in leadership opened my eyes to the life outside of medical school as a doctor. I still use those leadership skills attained in my training days at SMU to my advantage. Last but not least, I am being recognised and nominated in two categories in Health Excellence Awards 2023,” concludes Mashaba. 7 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023  Vukosi Msimeki has a mission to redefine the field of dietetics & has passion for serving people W ho is Vukosi Msimeki, tell us about your early years, place of birth and schooling until matric: I am an African child and the son of the late Kulinji Sharline (Milanzi) Msimeki and Paulos Nkhesani Msimeki who I must was left alone at times. Even though classified as a naughty boy, my grades were never disappointing. What motivated you to follow this field? I was never exposed to the field. I'd say my motivation came say was a very strict father. I was born in 1988 at Messina, during my studies when I was exposed to treating and/or now known as Musina, in the Vhembe district, Limpopo preventing disease using food. It was something new and province and was raised between Musina and Waterval exciting to learn, even though our African background and where my parents stayed, and as a result had to switch families always sang the song of “you are what you eat”, between crèches and primary schools. I matriculated at though not in those exact words. Waterval High School. Having been raised in big multicultural/ mixed religion families (on both maternal and How did you find studying at SMU to be and what paternal side), one was moulded into understanding and where your favourite moments? accepting the vast different personalities and belief systems It was a total change from the high school type of learning. of people I interacted with. I am also fluent in several One had to quickly grow and learn to be independent. No languages such as Chichewa, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Sepedi, parents to limit street time and push for one to study. Our Setswana, English and others. new parents only met with us in class, and once school was over, we were on our own. Pairing with dedicated students How were you like at school, were there any signs yielded many benefits. that you may end up being a dietician? Being one of the youngest and always associated with the Those trips to different clinics and hospitals for different older crew, I was classified as one of the trouble makers. blocks were really exciting. I started feeling the realness of This may be due to not having had older siblings who were what I was studying, and also saw its impact. Wearing a close to me, and parents who often travelled for work and I clinical coat, going into the hospitals to see patients, continues to page 9... 8 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 receiving positive feedback from our supervisors and knew that there were a lot of babies who could benefit lecturers, those moments made me want to expand my from this. knowledge even more. Also enjoyed gym, which transformed me being a skinnier boy to a well standing someone. Tell us more about the breast milk bank. Because some babies are born prematurely and the mothers What do you think should be improved to make may not be in a position to breastfeed, when you have SMU better? breastmilk stored and available for use, we can immediately Emphasizing on the mentorship programme. Some of the initiate the babies on it. We started here at the JST hospital mentors during my time were mentors for the status but to ensure that the bank is running well and we have the best never available to assist nor guide. That almost got some coordinator. We also extended it to Brits hospital. What of us out of the trail as we didn't understand what we were happens is that we collect milk and send it for doing, and the new freedom did not help at all. A pasteurization. The pasteurization of the milk ensures that programme designed to cater for the transition from being we deal with all the bad elements that may be found in it cared for by parents to the reality of life on your own should and also to extend the shelve life. We first test the mothers be there and implemented. before they can donate milk. I have always loved working with mothers and babies that is why I am now still pursuing How many qualifications did you obtain from SMU my studies at SMU on public health matters looking at the and what can you say about the quality of education prevalence and factors associated with premature births. So, offered at SMU? we encourage mothers to donate breastmilk to ensure that Two qualifications. BSc Dietetics and Post graduate diploma we have healthy and well nourished babies. in Public Health. The quality of the education offered at SMU far exceeded my expectations. The university prides itself in Are you doing any community related work beyond academic excellence with some of the best research serving as a dietician? programs and innovative ways of teaching. The teaching at Our backgrounds have always motivated us to do good or the university prepares one for the real world situation by to improve ourselves and the lives of those around us. I am means of internship. Many of the products of this fine part of different organizations such as Elim Waterval institution are world renowned professors and high ranking Foundation, Elimites brotherhood club which has about 43 leaders in different fields. men from my area. We use the organizations to assist learners who require assistance working with social What motivates you in your field? workers. The brotherhood club started as a social club I have worked in different hospitals since I qualified as a where we continuously met and it developed into dietician and the different settings exposed me to a number something totally different. For instance, the last project of of challenges that our people are faced with. One of those is this club, we had to rebuilt a house that was identified in the issue of pre-mature births and this got me to be more Elim where a grandmother and children were staying in a interested on the causes. I then realized that breastfeeding is dilapidated home. We also ensured that we contributed very necessary for children to develop and grow because of furniture to the home after rebuilding it. We also assist each its nutritional value. So, I have always been advocating for other as members to contribute something to a brother breastfeeding including during my time in Limpopo. when they are celebrating milestones such as weddings etc. There was a lot of malnutrition and it's something We currently had two houses that burnt down and we sent preventable. When we looked deeper into it, we discovered the brothers to assess the situation and help the families that most babies that came to hospital malnourished were including getting them food and clothing. I am also part of fed formula milk instead of breast milk. the Black Management Forum in the North West and I am Most people did not even know that you could also in its executive. We are working with a number of students breastfeed even when HIV positive. We started campaigns to as well to assist them to access financial support in the form prevent malnutrition and encouraged people to breastfeed of bursaries. The sad part is that most of those who have because if you start there, you would have covered a lot of access are not really from poor backgrounds and we want things. Breastmilk has a lot of nutrients that a child requires to change this to ensure that those in deep rural and to grow. remote areas are assisted. When I came to North West to work at Job Shimankana Living healthy lifestyles through eating, what are Tabane Hospital, I found that there was a breast milk bank the benefits and what does it mean to eat healthily? You live a long healthier life by eating healthily. Good health even though it was not fully functional and I took it upon does not really mean the absence of diseases but also myself to push harder to link it with other institutions as I continues to page 10... 9 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 includes having peace of mind. When you lead a healthy life, as part of training we were also sent to institutions that you become productive, you can work and get income and were doing well and we learned a lot. We would be in have a way of providing for your loved ones. The quality of George Mukhari Hospital, Tembisa and Jubilee and we could life is great unlike those who lead unhealthy lifestyles as they see what we were taught in class. Working with different run the risk of constantly having to seek medical attention. specialists made us better definitions of ourselves. SMU Long life. Nutrition can assist us to prevent some diseases. made me to be this type of dietician that I am and I get You need different nutrients from different food products. encouraged by the positive feedback from my clients both in What is important is that we look at how often you take public and private. certain foods and how you prepare the food. Cut off visible fat on meat before cooking as saturated fat can harm the Any future plans? body and cause a number of illnesses such as heart diseases, I am currently pursuing a Masters Degree at SMU and hope strokes, hypertension and can increase cholesterol and to also do a PHD after that. I am also motivated by fellow general heart conditions. People require more information dieticians who continue to further their studies such as on dietetics so that they can understand better. Moloko Mehlape who is a lecturer at SMU. I also hope to further polish my leadership skills as I find myself serving in Are you also in private practice? different leadership roles. I also plan to have a mini mother I am currently working for the JST as a Chief Dietician and and child health centre because my wife is specializing to also a board member of the hospital, I also have rooms at become a paediatrician and we are planning to collaborate in the Netcare Hospital and works at Medicare hospital, while I future. also manage a contract with Impala mine where I am servicing two of their clinics with the help of another One also wish to grow my business, Msimeki Group PTY dietician. LTD which currently has a number of subsidiaries in the areas of health, properties, logistics, travelling and leisure. Despite all these, I see myself as a public servant to a point where I do not think I will ever leave the public service. I What is your message to aspiring dieticians? feel good to work at Job Shimankana Tabane hospital despite Be the best professional in your chosen field and the rest some of the challenges. I believe public servants have to will follow. Once you become the best, everyone would advocate for their professions and their patients. A huge want to work with you. I encourage those who are number of people rely on public health services and the currently studying in this field to take advantage of this time resources are not adequate. You just need to find strategies as a student, study and master the profession as it still has a to work around that and continue to motivate others lot of gaps and to link with other dieticians in public and including your team members. My advice to others in the private. They must volunteer to assist in hospitals as well same space is that, you just need to love the people you when the time permits to get the necessary exposure. serve and this becomes the greatest motivation to continue serving. What does your job entail? My day to day includes being part of several committees, representing employees but the key responsibility is to supervise the whole team of dieticians at the hospital and to allocate different personnel in different spaces to ensure that patients get the necessary services in the hospital and manage their performance. One also advocate for resources, financially and in terms of personnel and other enablers. I also do a lot of motivation to personnel and continuously do rounds to see patients and deal with quality issues and submission of reports. Do you think SMU trained you sufficiently to perform your responsibilities? I think SMU has overdone it, perhaps it's because of the other colleagues who assisted and the resilience that was built in me through training. As I look back, I remember that 10 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 Mr Tumelo Modau – Professional Affairs Manager at SAPC believes the Pharmacy field is about life-long learning S MU Pharmacy graduate Mr Tumelo Modau is the Professional Affairs Manager for Education at the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). His educational qualification includes a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), a Master's degree in Clinical Pharmacy (SMU) and a Master's degree in Pharmacy Regulation and Administration (University of the Western Cape). SMU Alumni Newsletter Reporter interviewed Mr Modau to get insight on his profession of pharmacy. Who is Tumelo Modau? I was born and raised in a small family of four, in the township of Mamelodi (20 km East of Pretoria). Being the firstborn in the family and having a mother who was working at a close by hospital (Mamelodi Hospital), I would often spend time at the hospital after school waiting for my mother to knock off. In my primary school days, I was in the school's relay and sprint team, until my epistaxis forced me to stop. I then started to read one of my mother's books called "The Auxiliary Nurse" which opened my eyes to the healthcare sector, I read this book twice, back-to-back and that is when I knew that I wanted a career in the healthcare field. I could not immediately go to university due to financial constraints and to gather funds, I did a learnership at Momentum Life Insurance where I would work with specialist doctors on dread disease claims. Post the learnership, I worked with Medical Aids and that is where I learnt about the different medicine formularies and generic versus innovator brands. That then sparked an apparent career choice for me to study pharmacy. continues to page 12... 11 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 Why did you choose a career as a pharmacist? This felt like a great achievement for me to work at the I always had an interest in the healthcare field; pharmacy was hospital where I was born and where my mother worked. never an obvious choice while growing up, because I did not During my time there, I conducted three research studies of know of any pharmacists personally in my family or which one won the best presentation at the annual Gauteng acquittances. My interest in pharmacy flared when I was Pharmaceutical Services Research Day. I also started an working with medical aids and communicating with antimicrobial stewardship committee at the hospital with the pharmacists. They would often use fancy terms over the support of the Pharmacy Manager. Following my community phone, I was amazed by the knowledge they had and the service, I worked as a regulatory affairs pharmacist where I great lengths they would go through to ensure that their was awarded the best newcomer of the year, which was patients' claims were paid. I was already familiar with the followed by the pharmacist of the year award for two names of medicines, although I did not know what they are consecutive years. used for or how they work. This was coupled with my upbringing where I spent so much time at the hospital but What are some of the challenges facing pharmacists never set foot in the pharmacy, I was curious to find out what today? the pharmacists do in the pharmacy (apart from dispensing) There are pharmacies, which have introduced sales targets as and where they are getting all the medication from. a form of measuring the pharmacy's success/performance. This has changed how some pharmacists make decisions What are your responsibilities as Professional Affairs when dispensing medicine. The pharmacist is often faced Manager of Education at SAPC? with the dilemma of meeting their sales target, pharmacy I As a professional affairs manager, my responsibilities are to s a business at the end of the day and it needs to generate assist Pharmacy Council fulfil its mandate to safeguard, profit to remain in operation or do what is right for the promote and maintain the health and safety of patients and patient – not every patient who visits the pharmacy has to the public to ensure accessible quality pharmaceutical services leave with a medicinal item, sometimes advise and referral is by executing the following tasks: Manage all activities related more beneficial to the patient. Some pharmacists are to the accreditation and monitoring of all South African understaffed, being the only pharmacist present in the university pharmacy schools, skills providers and courses pharmacy, and having to perform multiple tasks including pharmacy inspections. simultaneously, and this can compromise patient care. Furthermore, there has been some reluctance to incorporate Ÿ Responsible for the management of the registration of pharmacists as part of the multidisciplinary healthcare teams. pharmacy support personnel, pharmacy students, Therefore, the pharmacist has to work hard to prove their pharmacist interns, specialists' pharmacists and persons value to such a team. Pharmacists also have to be alert of with foreign qualifications. fake prescribers, prescriptions and the influence of social Ÿ Responsible for the management of registrations of media on the misuse and abuse of medication. providers and recording of pharmacy licenses. Ÿ Develop and review professional standards, accreditation What qualities does a pharmacist need to succeed in criteria and tools, monitoring tools and guidelines. the role? Ÿ Responsible for the amendments and maintenance of Most pharmacy students are aware that being a pharmacist the registers of persons and organisations as well as the means you have to be a lifelong learner. This is very verification thereof. important for the pharmacist and as soon as there is a new Ÿ Consult and communicate with the profession and other product on the market, an unfamiliar medical condition, a stakeholders regarding all pharmacy practice, education new myth or a radio/TV advert, patients will expect the and registration matters. pharmacist to know about it too. It is important to always Ÿ Drafting agendas, and minutes and facilitating the keep up with what is happening in and around the activities of the committees/ task groups relating to the community. Attention to detail is key as they must be able to Education Department. interpret prescriptions, which may not be as legible as they should be, pay attention to the dose and instructions, be able What do you consider your greatest professional to identify illegitimate prescriptions, as well as pick the right achievement? medicine from the shelf as some packaging is identical. Being There are a couple of career wins that have contributed to people-orientated and an effective communicator will assist what I see as my professional achievement. Firstly, as an intern in patient history taking, as well as patients understanding at SMU, I was part of a duo that presented a typhoid case at your instructions on how to take their medicine. Pharmacists Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital to the Ohio State have to be agile and adaptive to be able to perform different University lecturers. Subsequently, we were selected to visit tasks other than those related to medications and patient the Ohio State University in the United States. I did my care; this may include intensive use of technology and community service as a pharmacist at Mamelodi Hospital. continues to page 13... 12 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 software, financial management, human resource on social media and when I used to work at a pharmacy, I management, marketing, laboratory work, logistics, laws, would go through the professional information/ patient regulations etc. information leaflets of the medicine regularly. What do you like the most about working as a Do you feel that pharmacy work is repetitive? What pharmacist? keeps you motivated to do the job well? The role of a pharmacist has been expanded from not only Not at all – a new generation pharmacist knows that no two primary health care providers, however, expands into patients are identical, although they may be on the same advanced roles such as medicine use evaluation, therapy treatment, various patient factors will always be distinct for management and review. I like that pharmacy is a fast-paced each patient and this becomes apparent while interacting and career, a pharmacist is required to keep up with the trends taking the patient history, prompting the pharmacist to act on social media and be able to make a distinction between beyond what is on the prescription or what the patient myths made by misinformed patients and evidence-based requested. It is also rewarding to be able to assist patients claims, they have to know about traditional medicine which and some patients will pass by the pharmacy just to greet or forms a small part of their undergraduate training, as well as give you feedback on the medication they are taking, which being up-to-date with the latest medicine in the market. I is something that is rarely seen with other professions. was taught that pharmacy is a dynamic profession and I am Pharmacy is a generalist qualification, which makes it easy for experiencing that with how a pharmacist's role is evolving to the pharmacist to be able to move from one sector to the best utilise the knowledge and skills they possess, examples other, there are various categories of pharmacy from of such can be seen with pharmacists who have permits to community pharmacy to hospital, manufacturing, research, initiate the management of antiretroviral medicine, manage regulatory; academia, consulting etc. should one wish to do primary healthcare conditions and prescribe medicine as per so. There are also specialities in which pharmacists can the latest essential medicine lists, do immunisations and venture such as Radiopharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy etc. provide family planning services. How do you educate patients to manage their How do you ensure your knowledge is up to date medication? What factors must you consider? with current pharmacy practices and new drugs? When counselling and educating patients, it is important to By being part of pharmacy associations related to my sector ensure that they understand your advice by using of pharmacy. Visit the SAPC website to go through the latest nonprofessional language (irrespective of their educational publications (board notices, proposed legislation and the background), and make practical examples to deepen pharmaciae), the South African Health Products Regulatory understanding and reading their facial expressions. Then you Authority (SAHPRA) website for their updates and E-library, need to ask them to repeat what you have told them and talk to pharmaceutical company representatives and their give them an opportunity to ask if they have any questions. promotional items, attend conferences, follow various pages continues to page 14... 13 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 How do you recognize drug-seeking behaviour? Have you experienced it in the past? Pharmacists are located in convenient areas such as Professor Tendani shopping malls, residential areas and medical centres, making them the most accessible healthcare professionals by being able to see patients without any appointment and Ramukumba – not charging any consultation fee. This then makes it easy for the public who illicitly use medicine to take chances with the pharmacist to feed their habit. This includes drug- seeking behaviour where patients consistently purchase codeine-containing products such as cough syrups and painkillers. This can be picked up in the mannerisms of the An Advocate for Nursing Profession patient, some patients will look familiar, and however they would claim that they do not have a profile at the pharmacy so that they can hide their medicine history. Pharmacists should not be enablers. They should check if the patient has multiple profiles to ensure that they are abusing these medicines, assist the patients by educating them on the P dangers of substance abuse, and provide them with the details of substance abuse helplines such as South African rofessor Tendani Ramukumba is a Professional Nurse Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). There is also a registered as a Midwife, Psychiatric Nurse, Nurse trend of fake prescriptions, which a pharmacist is expected Educator, Nurse Manager Community Health Nurse to identify during the evaluation and interpretation of the and Primary Health Care Nurse. She has experience working prescription phase. in paediatric, maternity, medical ward and paediatric oncology wards. Her areas of expertise entail being a Community What good memories do you have about your Health Nurse in Public Child Health and obesity research alma mater (SMU)? studies. She has been working as a lecturer in community Being a student at SMU was a great experience, which I still health nursing for fourteen years. She is also skilled in the use reminisce about today. Pharmacy students were like a continues to page 15... family, guiding each other, with every student having a mentor who was one year senior to them. We were grouped into different colour groups for the semester, which made us close and bond with each other. The pharmacy programme was different from that of other universities, which made us unique. We were able to apply the knowledge gained and this fascinated graduates from other universities. In conclusion, kindly share the milestones of your professions with our readers. My career is in its intermediate phase and I am still on my journey to explore and put the pharmacy profession at the forefront. I completed my internship with a master's degree in clinical pharmacy; this then equipped me to be able to conduct research in public hospitals so that we can improve patient care. I then started working as a Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist and completed a second master's degree in pharmacy regulation and administration. Which propelled my move into the regulation of the profession at Pharmacy Council where I work in the Education department, where I interact with various universities, skills development providers, lecturers, students and other authorities such as the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) etc. 14 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 of Mixed Methods in research, which includes Quantitative conducted countless home deliveries. I wanted to emulate research, Qualitative Research and Participatory Action her “vho-Nese”. When my parents were urging me to get a Research. Currently, she is lecturing the undergraduate NQF university education, my cousin's sister also a nurse took her level 8 research and research projects at Tshwane University time to introduce the idea of fulfilling both University of Technology. SMU Alumni Newsletter Reporter discussed education and my aspiration to be a nurse as the B cur with Professor Ramukumba to hear more about her role in programme was starting at MEDUNSA. She happened to the nursing science profession. have heard about it. I then successfully registered for B Cur as part of the thirteen initial students of Nursing. Only six of Tell us about yourself? us completed the programme as some changed to Medicine I am the daughter of Mr and Mrs Ramovha and grew up in and some left for various other reasons. Of the six who Limpopo Province in a village called Tshisahulu next to completed some are in academics as nurse educators and Tshilidzini Hospital. I matriculated at Dimani High School and others stayed and contributed in clinical areas. thereafter registered with MEDUNSA (now SMU) for B Cur continues to page 16... Nursing where I graduated in B Cur and B Cur I et A in 1985 and 1991 respectively. I started my career at Tshilidzini Hospital working in maternity, surgical, medical, and paediatric wards including clinical teaching. I later joined the then Ga-Rankuwa Hospital (now Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital). I am qualified as a primary health care nurse with the then Technikon Pretoria (now TUT) where I was also appointed as a Lecturer. I completed my MSc in Nursing at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). My topic of the study was knowledge and utilisation of the Road to Health Card by mothers of Children transferred to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. The study led to successful participation in vaccination campaigns by the tertiary hospital. I completed my D Tech Nursing with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) where my research was on noncommunicable diseases focussing on intervention on obesity related lifestyle modifications and the impact on the quality of life. After D Tech, I worked at UNISA for a short while and was reappointed by TUT where my role was to develop research in the department. The department grew from having seven postgraduate students to currently hosting 38 active postgraduate students. What drove you to follow a career in Nursing? During my formative years, I observed Tshilidzini nurses and nurses in my family wearing their uniforms and being able to help at home and the hospital. I found nursing intriguing as my aunt was a clinic nurse in Sibasa and is rumoured to have 15 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 Tell us about a time you had to handle a difficult door for research interests. I was enriched by interacting patient. with postgraduate students as a mentor and a coach. I have At the time I had just completed my B Cur and was working achieved 25 publications and five others are under review in in the Maternity ward in Tshilidzini Hospital, I was on night various publications. I have initiated community engagement duty. My difficult patient was a 12-year-old who I had to at Ga-Rankuwa encouraging elderly people to exercise. In assist in delivering a baby. She had no prior preparation and M17, wards 13 and 14 Soshanguve I initiated the mobile did not know what to expect, in addition was not very service with community nursing students. Later on, it was cooperative due to the pain of labour. My challenge was to funded to address primary health care services in the area. secure a safe delivery while recognising I was dealing with a teenager in distress. Both mother and child were safe As part of the execution of Occupational health aspects of eventually. community health nursing. I facilitated the B Tech Nursing students to engage with the taxi driver community resulting What do you find most rewarding about being a in profound findings leading to a master's in nursing and now nurse? a Ph.D. is underway to address the health needs of the taxi Earlier in my career, I realised that patients are to be well- industry. TUT, in partnership with the District transport informed and prepared to deal with the challenges they are department, has participated in promoting the health of going through. My interest in health promotion and patient commercial taxi drivers, a first in South Africa. I have actively advocacy was formed from my earlier patient–nurse participated in the Tshwane District Health Research experiences. When the patient appreciates my service with a Committee promoting research within the district. smile and or by a simple 'thank you'. I have recently experienced the thrill of seeing some of my protegees I Currently, I serve on the Provincial Research Committee. I taught in their early years of careers getting their Ph. D.s, for have served the TUT research in various portfolios such as me it is mission accomplished. As a nurse educator, I realised the Faculty committee research ethics as a member, the that dealing with the student as a person fulfils me. I use Human Research Ethics Committee first as a member, then coaching, mentoring and advocacy to help the student achieve as Deputy Chairperson and lastly as a Research ethics the goal. chairperson. In 2004, I joined the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) the organization for excellence in How do you deal with stress associated with work? Nursing nominated by the Wits Nursing Department. I I depend on my belief system, which forms the basis of who served in various portfolios including being the Treasurer my inner person is. The core values of being authentic and until I was recently voted the president of the Chi Xi et truthful to myself and others. My family support has always Large (STTI). My vision is before the end of my tenure SMU been my backbone and my source of strength in life. I read will be inaugurated as part of the organization. The STTI aim and listen to music in between my work. to encourage nurses to engage in scholarly activities. I have been invited as a speaker on ethics matters by the Province What would you say is the hardest thing about being Dental department, and rehabilitation department. Including a nurse? I find it hard when my effort as a nurse is berated and or conducting workshops at Durban University of Technology ascribed to negative narratives only. Although a nurse is (DUT) in March 2023. Recently to ensure collaboration in needed when people are born and are in an emergency Research ethics between Universities, I initiated a Vis. including when they die, nurses are at times not ascribed to What memories do you have about being an SMU some level of intelligence. Once one introduces himself or student? herself as a nurse the unwritten code is that you have nothing Student fellowships and tea breaks in the Clinical Pathology to contribute while there is no specialisation in medicine passage next to the gate that connected DGMAH and SMU. where a nurse is excluded. Long hours and workload are but That helped to create long professional relationships of part of the job that requires a nurse to work smarter. should I say comradeships. I also remember the classy spring How do you continue to develop your skills and ball parties that were aimed at creating student interactions. empower yourself? I am a reader and a researcher that is how I empower myself. How and what can you give back to SMU? I am willing to participate in meaningful alumni activities that I attend publish and currently, I am fascinated by research recognize that SMU has a history that dates to its integrity and in addition am looking at clinical interventions to MEDUNSA days. My observation of Alumni in other enhance the quality of professional and clinical skills. universities is that the sense of being part of the bigger Please share a personal or professional achievement. development of the institution should make you want to My achievement was to complete my PhD, which opened the contribute to its well-being. continues to page 17... 16 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 In conclusion, is there any information that you quality of Nursing in Africa through postgraduate deem necessary for our readers to know? qualifications that have meaning at the local level. In addition, I believe so much in partnership in Africa that I have over the I believe in growing our timber and in my supervision period initiated the recruitment of international ensured that nurses qualify while young to be able to postgraduates in Ghana and Botswana where three doctoral influence their growth path. I have so far mentored seven qualifications were graduated and many more want to Ph.D.s. Two of my former doctoral students are lecturers at register. Currently, I am supervising and co-supervising two SMU, three appointed at TUT as lecturers, while the other students from Ghana. My vision is to be able to collaborate is serving as a Hospital Manager at a Private Hospital and with national and international universities to promote the others working at various Universities in Ghana. Up Close & Persal with Dr Enos Ramano – An Occupational Therapist turned Entrepreneur S MU Alumnus Dr Enos Ramano is one of the editors of the newly prescribed book for Occupational Therapy in Mental Health called Crouch and Alers Occupational Therapy in Mental Health" 6th edition. He wrote two chapters in the book: Depressive Disorders and bipolar related disorders and Groups in Occupational Therapy. SMU Alumni Newsletter Reporter caught up with Dr Ramano to get insight into his journey as an Occupational Therapist turned Entrepreneur. Take us through your early years and family life I was born and bred in Mamelodi (Pretoria) and grew up in a family house where my mother raised me as a single parent. I started schooling at Moretele Primary School, where I was promoted from grade two to grade 4. My grandmother was a continues to page 18... 17 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 breadwinner with her pension money since my mother was You are involved in Entrepreneurship/Business, and unemployed. My mother became employed at Steve Biko Leadership/Governance, kindly outline your roles in Academic Hospital (then HF Verwoerd Hospital) as a general these categories. worker. I commenced my Higher Primary education at Dr I started the EM Ramano practice in the year 1996. My Monare Higher Primary School where I developed an interest younger sister who is a Chartered Accountant(Tryphosa in Mathematics. I later went to Vlakfontein Technical High “Marona” Ramano) assisted me with the establishment of School, where I studied technical subjects including my practice and purchasing of some of the tests and Mathematics and Physical Science, which I enjoyed the most. stationery that I use in my practice. My practice is based at My younger sister (Tryphosa “Marona' Ramano) is a Clinix Tshepo-Themba Private Hospital, Soweto Life Path Chartered Accountant. I am married to Mpho Ramano Hospital and Life Glynnview Psychiatric Hospital. The main (Monyatsi), who is also one of the brilliant Occupational focus of the practice is on mental health/psychiatry and Therapists in private practice. She is a very supportive wife vocational rehabilitation. I have employed brilliant and a good mother to our children. We are blessed with five Occupational Therapists who assist me in these practices. children (three boys and two girls). My mother is still alive and she is a pensioner. I am also a member of the Crouch Bursary Fund, where I am responsible for bursaries and awards. The Crouch Bursary What inspired you to pursue a career in Fund offers bursaries to Occupational Therapists who are Occupational Therapy? undertaking research in Occupational Therapy mental health After matric, I wanted to study BSc computer science. and psychiatry. It also offers awards for the best-presented Unfortunately, I did not have the finances to pursue my paper in psychiatry and mental health at the Occupational tertiary studies. As I have mentioned my mother was Therapy Association of South Africa Congress. The Crouch employed at HF Verwoerd Hospital (Steve Biko Academic Bursary Fund is also responsible for writing the prescribed Hospital) as a general worker in the radiology department. book that is used for student training at universities. We are She took my matric results and showed them to Mara (I currently busy with the writing of the sixth edition of the forgot her surname) her boss who was a senior lecturer in prescribed book on psychiatry and mental health. the Radiography department at the University of Pretoria. Fortunately, I am one of the authors of two chapters and She advised that I should register for Occupational Therapy editors of the book which might be published in 2024. Assistant and she forwarded my matric results to Prof Shipham who was the Head of Department at Medunsa I previously served as the Chairperson of the Psychiatric Occupational Therapy Department. Prof Shipham after Occupational Therapy Support Group (POTS) and Vice seeing my matric results advised that I should come to the President of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Occupational Therapy Department and register for the Africa (OTASA). degree the following day. That is how I registered for the How do you stay current on developments and degree in Occupational Therapy. I was the first person in my technologies in Occupational Therapy? family to register for a degree. I previously worked as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pretoria where Studying Occupational Therapy was not an easy journey as I I was responsible for teaching mental health and group did not have Biology as a subject and I had to study anatomy therapy to undergraduate students. I was a Coordinator for and physiology, which were challenging to me. Occupational research and group therapy for undergraduate and Therapy modules such as Therapeutic Media and Intervention postgraduate students. I also supervised masters and Theories were easy and interesting to me due to my previous doctoral students who were undertaking occupational technical studies. Despite the challenges that I went through therapy research. I am still busy with some of the students in my years of study as an Occupational Therapy student, I who are undertaking their doctoral studies. was very lucky in my final year of study as I completed my degree which was awarded cum laude and I even received I have published nine articles locally and internationally on several prizes including the chancellor's award as the best mental wellness. The articles focused on major depressive final year student. disorders, functional capacity evaluations, formulating return to work, occupational therapy groups, bereavement, stress When my friends changed from Occupational Therapy and and burnout amongst Occupational Therapists in mental moved to Medicine, Dentistry or Physiotherapy, I told myself health. that I would make a living as an Occupational Therapist. I have been practising as an Occupational Therapist ever since I I have reviewed two manuscripts in the year 2023 for the graduated from Medunsa (now SMU) and I have found British Journal of Occupational Therapy. I am still practising fulfilment in it. as an Occupational Therapist at three private clinics that I continues to page 19... 18 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 have mentioned and still doing research, which helps me to knowledgeable in occupational therapy. If you are not stay current on development in Occupational Therapy. assertive, you may be bullied by other professionals and end up carrying duties that are not in the scope of What are the elements of effective occupational Occupational Therapy. You should know what you are therapy? What are their advantages and challenges? doing and stand your ground with an open mind. By The Occupational Therapist focuses on the treatment of open mind I mean you should be a good listener and be humans holistically through their engagement in purposeful able to engage with clients and the team so that you activities. The Occupational Therapist assists their clients to can offer the best care to the clients. be able to function independently in their daily occupations Ÿ Negotiation skills - You need good negotiation skills and roles. so that you can be able to advocate for the clients to the team, their families and employers. The Occupational Therapy assessment of the client's Ÿ Time management skills - In private practice, you may limitations and strengths, body functions, roles, habits, have a high workload. You need to be disciplined with spirituality and occupations assist the Occupational Therapist time and be able to manage your time properly. If you to be able to plan a holistic intervention treatment for their have poor time management, you will struggle to reach clients. The Occupational Therapist uses a variety of frames the daily targets and meet deadlines. of references, models, approaches and techniques to be able to provide an effective Occupational Therapy intervention, What good memories do you have about your alma which is scientific, measurable and justifiable. During each mater? intervention and at the end of the intervention, the When I studied at Medunsa, I lived at 5B residence and later Occupational therapist needs to evaluate each intervention moved to 1D residence. The support that we offered to that is offered to the client, to enable the Occupational each other as students kept us going and increased our Therapist to grade the sessions, make adaptations and resilience. We knew everyone who was a student at changes where necessary and provide proper guidance and Medunsa in those years. Medunsa was like a home to me as recommendations to the clients. The main goal of the we treated each other with love and respect. There was a occupational therapy intervention is to reintegrate the clients spirit of belonging and unity. The university instilled the spirit back into their home, work and community. of hard work, resilience and discipline in us. The challenges are when the Occupational Therapist is faced During my years as a student, I did not have a bursary. Allied with clients who are not responding to the Occupational students who studied at Medunsa in those years, received a Therapy intervention and they may require care from their salary from the Department of Health, which was helpful to family members or caregivers. Others may need to be me as it helped me to pay my university fees. declared as incapacitated to work while they are breadwinners and they still need to work. Other challenges in The intense training that was offered by the skilled and private practice are exhaustion of medical aid benefits while knowledgeable lecturers in the Department of Occupational the client still needs further Occupational Therapy Therapy has been invaluable for me. Sometimes the training intervention. broke us and triggered a variety of emotions, but it helped us to be competent Occupational Therapists. The lecturer's What method have you successfully used to identify love for the profession helped us to believe in the realistic goals for a patient's rehabilitation? therapeutic benefit of Occupational Therapy as a profession. The Occupational Therapist should be skilled with Their encouragement and ensuring that we become assessments (baseline assessments, functional capacity responsible, competent and ethical Occupational Therapists evaluations) and triangulation of their assessment findings to was an inspiration to some of us. The training that was be able to measure the outcomes of interventions offered to offered helped us to conduct ourselves with pride as the clients. Medunsa graduates. The lecturers who always believed in me and continuously offered words of encouragement and Occupational Therapy groups are also found to be effective support were Miss Holy Holstein, Prof Alfred Ramukumba methods of intervention for individuals diagnosed with and Dr Marianne de Beer. I always value their contribution various diagnoses during rehabilitation. The healing power of to my life and who I am today. cohesiveness, altruism, existential factors and catharsis are found to be effective in helping clients during group therapy. As an Entrepreneur/Business person, how and what can you give back to your alma mater? If you could choose three skills imperative to be I am currently offering two prizes to Occupational Therapy successful in this field, what would you choose? students with the highest marks in therapeutic media and Ÿ Assertiveness - You need to be assertive and continues to page 20... 19 SMU Alumni e-Newsletter | December 2023 psychiatry at SMU Occupational Therapy Department. I have presented several papers locally and internationally on Kindly share the milestones of your professions with our vocational rehabilitation, occupational therapy and major readers. depressive disorders and occupational therapy groups for inpatients with major depressive disorders. I completed my undergraduate degree with cum Laude at Medunsa. I then completed my postgraduate diploma in I have been in private practice as the owner of the practice vocational rehabilitation at the University of Pretoria as I was since the year 1996. When I established my private practice, interested in knowing more about work assessments and it focused on physical rehabilitation and hand therapy which vocational rehabilitation. I obtained a distinction in the were my areas of interest. Fortunately, most of my referrals module of groups in vocational rehabilitation. Two years later were from psychiatrists and clinical psychologists who were after I completed the diploma in vocational rehabilitation, I excited to have an occupational therapist in the hospital. I was asked to come and teach the module of groups in immediately had to change the focus of my private practice to vocational rehabilitation which I taught for ten years. mental health, functional capacity evaluations and occupational therapy groups. During my years as an I realised that my clinical knowledge of work assessments occupational therapist, I have seen the benefit of occupational was still limited especially regarding clients with major therapy including group therapy to clients who are diagnosed depressive disorder as there were limited Occupational with mental illness. The valuable contribution of occupational Therapy publications on that topic. I registered for a master's therapists in mental health (adult and child psychiatry) degree in Occupational Therapy and had a distinction in a especially assisting with assessments (child scholastic module of Theories in Occupational Therapy. I published two assessments and functional capacity evaluations) and articles from my master's research study on functional interventions. Advocating for clients who are diagnosed with capacity evaluation for employees with major depressive major depressive disorders due to their work environment or disorders and formulating return to work for employees with work stressors. Honest appreciation is always received from major depressive disorders. This helped me to develop more the clients and the treating team for the contribution of interest in research and I decided to register for a Doctor of occupational therapists to clients who are diagnosed with Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Therapy in the year 2015, challenging mental health problems. which I completed in 2017 from the University of Pretoria. The focus of my study was on the comparison of two group I have mentored several occupational therapists who are therapy intervention programmes on hospitalised patients successfully running their private practices. I always feel happy who were diagnosed with moderate to severe major when I see people succeeding and achieving their best in what depressive disorders. I published four articles locally and they do. As a lecturer, I would be happier than my students internationally from my PhD research. when they excel during exams and as clinicians. As a clinician, my satisfaction was from my clients when they recovered and I produced three master's students during my two years as a were able to start their lives again or face their life challenges. Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria and two of I learned a lot from my clients and I enjoy working as an them obtained their master's degree with cum-laude. I have occupational therapist. examined several master's research from different universities. I am currently supervising two PhD students and In conclusion, feel free to share any information with our co-supervising two other PhD students. I have published one readers that you deem necessary for them to know. article on bereavement with my undergraduate students and Practising as an Occupational Therapist showed me, that God one article on stress and burnout amongst occupational always know our destination and journey. God always know therapists in mental health with one of my master's students. where we are supposed to be and he places us well where we I have previously assisted with undergraduate training as a will fit and be of purpose to ourselves and others. I enjoy Sessional Lecturer at Medunsa where I taught ergonomics working as an Occupational Therapist in mental health. and group therapy. I was appointed several times to assist Treating individuals will mental illness has taught me to with external examination of final year students in understand people and life. To be appreciative of the gift that paediatrics, mental health and masters' research. I have been God has entrusted in us to help his people and to be appointed several times as an external examiner for appreciative of our lives. The incredible benefit of working as undergraduate and master's students at the University of a team in mental health. The valuable impact of Occupational Witwatersrand. The University of KwaZulu-Natal has asked Therapy on all individuals with acute mental illness. me to be an external examiner for one of their master's students. Occupational Therapy has helped me to live a purpose-driven life. 20 SMU Alumni e-Newsle