I didn’t take the typical path into medicine. My first career was as a ballet dancer – a discipline that taught me focus, precision, and grace under pressure long before I ever entered an operating theatre.
But the pull toward medicine never left me. With the support of a mentor, I completed a year of BSc while finishing my BA in French, Political Science, and English, before beginning my MBChB at the age of 27.
It was there that I found my calling in vascular surgery. The adrenaline, the intensity, and the challenge of thinking on my feet drew me in. I thrived in that environment and became the first female vascular surgeon in South Africa.
My Work In Diabetic Limb Care:
Back in South Africa, I founded the Diabetic Foot Working Group, which later became part of the Wound Care Society, helping shift national practice from late-stage amputation to prevention and limb salvage. The result was a dramatic drop in amputation rates – from nearly 20% to below 5%.
What began as a challenge to convention is now standard practice, and I’m proud to have been part of that transformation.
Pioneering new frontiers in Oncology
I later pursued an MSc in Oncology at St Mary’s Barts in London, opening the door to interventional oncology – one of the most promising frontiers in modern medicine.
This field combines the precision of imaging with the power of minimally invasive vascular intervention to target cancer directly through its blood supply. It’s where surgery, oncology, and technology intersect – and where I believe the future of medicine is being shaped.
My Work In Diabetic Limb Care:
Early in my career, I became deeply involved in diabetic limb care – joining an international group of specialists and advocating for earlier, more effective intervention.
Back in South Africa, I founded the Diabetic Foot Working Group, which later became part of the Wound Care Society, helping shift national practice from late-stage amputation to prevention and limb salvage. The result was a dramatic drop in amputation rates – from nearly 20% to below 5%.
What began as a challenge to convention is now standard practice, and I’m proud to have been part of that transformation.
Looking Ahead
My mission is to continue redefining modern medicine in South Africa – applying the power of technology and collaboration to reduce suffering, improve outcomes, and extend lives. I will keep challenging convention, leading innovation, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients and their families.