​As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is introducing 60 future healthcare professionals who are currently in their first year. Meet Jean-Marie du Preez.

As a six-year old Jean-Marie du Preez exhausted her parents with her play doctor’s toy set. "It had a thermometer, a stethoscope and the works," she remembers. "I examined and operated on everyone in the family ad nauseam." 

But she first had to become head girl of Cradock High School and participate in the school’s first tennis, hockey and athletics teams as well as on the first aid- and quiz teams before she could officially start her journey towards her medical dream. 

Du Preez is now a first year MB,ChB student at the Stellenbosch University.

This "proudly Afrikaans farm girl", as she describes herself, loves cooking, baking, braaing and can even do crotchet. In 10 years’ time she sees herself being a family practitioner in the countryside, “married to a farmer and with a bus full of children,” she daydreams. But for now she doesn’t worry too much about it as she believes in tackling life one day at a time. "Worry is the biggest thief of joy,” she says. She’d also tries not to take life too seriously. “There's a difference between being alive and living.”Five fast facts:

• She’s a middle child.
• Her worst habit is laughing at inappropriate times.
• Her best habit is exercising everyday.
• She loves Country music and Afrikaans singalong hits.
• Her study tip is to not overcomplicate things. “We’re all still kids. Prioritise, but allow yourself time to still be a child.”