The December graduation of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) sees 480 newly capped graduates entering the healthcare workforce.

Among these are 278 medical doctors, 53 physiotherapists, 25 dietitians, 30 speech-language therapists, 45 occupational therapists and 50 nurses. A further 433 postgraduate students from the FMHS, of which 30 PhDs, also graduated this week.

SciMathUS success  

Another noteworthy achievement at this year's graduation is the 15 former SciMathUS students graduating with various degrees from the FMHS, including nine medical doctors (MBChB) and one medical specialist (psychiatry). The SciMathUS programme offers learners who have already passed Grade 12 (with an average of at least 60%), but who do not qualify for higher education, a second opportunity to improve their NSC results in specific subjects to enable them to re-apply for university programmes.

“The SciMathUS programme has long been an avenue for widening access of students from underserved communities to SU," says Farah Fredericks, Deputy Registrar: Academic Administration (Tygerberg Campus). “We are proud to see 15 former SciMathUS students, graduate from the FMHS in 2023 and we hope that these new graduating healthcare professionals plough back into their communities and pave the way for more students from these communities to access SU in future."

Graduates' pledge

The day before graduation, all medical and health sciences students undertake a pledge to uphold the values of the faculty and the professions they are joining. At the pledge ceremony for health sciences students, FMHS alumnus and a prominent figure in South African physiotherapy, Mr Nick Perreira, addressed the graduates to share some advice for this new chapter in their careers.

“I found it a heavy burden to be a young 20-something now responsible for the health and wellbeing of adults, breadwinners, parents, and their children," he said as he reflected on his own experience as a new graduate. “The only way we can serve them adequately is for us to become the best versions of ourselves."

To help them realise this ideal, Perreira shared five lessons from his first decade as a health professional. He encouraged the students to invest in themselves and continue learning, be it through podcasts, short courses, books, and more. Secondly, he told them to enjoy the process, not just the destination. “It is important to know your destination, but it is more important to love the process of how you get there.

“Thirdly, think about thinking. It is true what they say, hindsight is 20/20. Learning to reflect was one of the best skills I learned during my time at this university," Perreira said. He also emphasized the importance of hard work. “In the first decade, I believe it is less about what you earn, but how much you learn."

Lastly, he also reminded the graduates to always have compassion. “In a country as diverse as ours, and with as much disparity as ours, it is crucial to recognise our shared humanity. It is an enormous responsibility to have a career in service of others, and I hope we start by showing this compassion to ourselves, so we may give it to others."

Pledge serves as moral compass

Addressing the group of MBChB graduates at their pledge ceremony, Prof Richard Pitcher, outgoing head of the FMHS' Department of Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology, urged students to let the pledge they were about to make serve as a loadstar throughout their medical careers. “This afternoon's pledge embodies humanity's deepest and most timeless values. It has been crafted specifically for our faculty, and so is unique to our institution," said Pitcher. “I urge you to embrace and to hear its singular personal call on your life, for the SU pledge speaks to the highest road of medical practice. It speaks to the journey of a humble steward who is respectful, compassionate, caring, ethical, diligent, resourceful, reflective, sustaining, creative and enquiring."

Chancellor's Awards

During the graduation ceremony, SU Chancellor Justice Edwin Cameron bestowed the prestigious Chancellor's Awards on three FMHS staff members: Dr Tania Brodovcky, Prof Helmuth Reuter, and Ms Estie Geldenhuys. Each year, this award is presented to a select group of staff members whose careers attest to sustained excellence in research, innovation, learning and teaching, social impact, and professional service.   

Honorary Doctorate

A honorary doctorate was conferred on Lehana Thabane, a professor of Biostatistics at McMaster University. Thabane was honoured for his pioneering work in health research and clinical trials methodology and his advocacy for evidence-based medicine and healthcare, for transferring his expertise and knowledge through academia and building capacity for applied clinical research, and for his strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. He was nominated for the degree by the FMHS' Prof Taryn Young. 

Photo captions

Banner photo: FMHS graduates celebrate their success at the December graduation. 

Photo 1: FMHS graduation ceremony at Coetzenburg.

Photo 2: Nick Perreira delivering an address at the Pledge Ceremony for Health Sciences graduates.

Photo 3: Prof Richard Pitcher addresses MBChB graduates during their Pledge Ceremony.

Photo 4: Profs Taryn Young and Lehana Thabane.