The new Dean of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Prof Elmi Muller, is adamant that all members of the FMHS – staff and students alike – should be made to feel welcome at SU.

In the first of a series of open discussions with staff and students in March, Muller emphasised her wholehearted support for the current transformation process at SU, and said she intends to build on that vision in the Faculty she leads.

“I don't want anyone to feel like outsiders based on their race, their gender, or their sexual orientation. I want people to feel accepted, regardless of their background," said Muller, who took over the FMHS' reins from Prof Jimmy Volmink in January.

Muller – an A1-rated researcher who previously headed both the Division of General Surgery and the Transplant Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital, and who also performed the first HIV-positive-to-positive kidney transplants in the world – shared some of her background and her vision for the FMHS.

She also invited questions, feedback and ideas from both staff and students, adding that she will keep time open in her diary for people to see her. “If you want to see me, come and talk to me. I promise to listen and to try and gain a better understanding of what is happening on the ground. It is very important to be fair and to listen carefully."

In the conversation with staff, she discussed her commitment to leadership development and increasing opportunities for staff members. She stressed the importance of working as a team. “I'd like to see our clinicians, researchers and administrative staff all working towards a better future, having common objectives to address patients' needs, and removing suffering and pain when we can because this is what research and teaching is about. In the end, the patient is our central business, and that is where we should focus."

Muller said that during a recent institutional planning forum, she gained a good sense of SU's plans for the future. “This forum set aside a whole day to talk about transformation."

She added that a guest speaker, Nicky Newton-King, former CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and an SU graduate, inspired her in her leadership philosophy.

“When Newton-King spoke about diversity, she stressed that people want to work in a place where they feel accepted as they are. I want to build on that as an inclusive Faculty.

“The second thing she said is that we should live our values every day in our lives; that transformation is not just something we put on the agenda but should be part of the day-to-day decisions that we make around the table.

“The third thing she emphasised was the issue of being open and honest. We should have the opportunity to honestly say what we think. It doesn't mean we cannot change our minds or that we don't have to listen to other people, but the opportunity to be open and honest and put something across without judgement is a key part of transformation.

“Lastly, I feel the success we will have will be directly related to the success each one of you have," she told staff. “For me to run a very good Faculty and have excellent outcomes I need to look after you and make sure that you can achieve your goals, whether you're a clinician, a researcher or working in the support systems. In the end, if you are successful, I will be successful."

Topics of discussion with staff included the possibility of flexible hours for working mothers on campus; a proposed review of policies enabling support service staff to further their careers academically; creating an environment that is sensitive to gender, race, language and sexual orientation; and the possibility of a crèche and an after-care facility for parents working on campus.

Muller said the issue of childcare facilities is complex, as surveys have shown that staff have differing needs, ranging from after-care to a crèche and a school. “We found it difficult to pinpoint what exactly it is that we need."

In her conversation with students, Muller said developing their leadership skills is vital. “No matter where you work in a hospital, you will always take charge of other people or situations. Leadership is not always taught in medical school."

Topics which arose during this conversation included the need to fix and upgrade the computers outside the library; the extension of opening hours of the library; as well as better facilities for students from private organisations between their ward rounds and other work activities. The inadequate remuneration of master's students with teaching responsibilities was also raised, as were the long working hours of interns and the inadequate tutoring fund. Students also highlighted a lack of funding for bursaries, as well as the need for psychological and psychiatric services for students with mental health issues.

Muller said the computer issue, as well as the extended opening hours of the library, were on the agenda and she was reaching out to a few companies to see if they are willing to donate computers.

Turning to the need for counselling services, she stressed the Faculty's strong commitment to student wellbeing. “We want to put services in place to help people as much as we can. There is a system in place for people who need help, but we cannot take responsibility for the full extent of their medical needs."

In response to a question about the learning challenges facing previously disadvantaged students, Muller said more needs to be done to ensure that lecturers are able and willing to translate information and knowledge to all students.

“As we drive our transformation agenda and have different people, including those for whom English is not their first language, coming into the Faculty … it is not enough to just put them there. It's also about nurturing the processes. We need to think about this and try and address it. It is a topic that needs quite a lot of thought, as it also speaks to the institutional culture … and how much the people who are teaching are on board with what we want to do."

Muller said she would tackle the issue and make sure staff members are committed to assisting all students. “I can't imagine it is easy to come from a high school far away and suddenly fit into student society and the packed campus programme."

​Muller described her first three months as Dean as “wonderful". “This Faculty has incredible, friendly, well-meaning people who want to work together and make a success not just for themselves, but for the bigger team. I see that and appreciate it and I feel very privileged to be in this position."​