Prof Dion du Plessis receives NMA’s Lex Visser Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof Dion du Plessis (pictured), former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Pretoria (UP), Professor and Head of Urology at the institution for close to three decades and recipient of numerous accolades through the years for his services to academic, clinical and primary care medicine since his MBChB graduation from UP in 1966, was presented with the prestigious Alliance of SA Independent Private Practitioners Associations (ASAIPA) National Medical Awards (NMA) Lex Visser Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022.

Prof du Plessis, who has held board-level positions in the private hospital and funding industries since retiring from the university early in 2008, is currently involved with consultative work at Netcare as Medical Director of the Transplant Division, for Medscheme, and for several Independent Practitioner Associations (IPAs).

The awards were inaugurated in 2018 as part of a national effort to recognise the collective contributions and strengthen the visibility of South Africa’s independent primary care practitioners based on peer nominations.

The first of three NMA 2022 Healthcare Leadership Awards went to well-known IPA stalwart, Bloemfontein-based Dr George Aldrich, for the active role he has played as an IPA pioneer and pioneer and office bearer, regionally in his home-town based Oranjemed and nationally as ASAIPA board member and chair since 2006.

Prof Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, Dean and Head of School of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and chief executive officer of the African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), and Drs Takalani Muluvhu and Ayesha Kholvadia for their research and project achievements in Biokinetics, were recipients of the other two leadership awards respectively.

HCP Excellence Award

Dr Vhulahani Stephen Ramasuvha, described as a true role model in the medical field since becoming the first black medical doctor in the former Venda and some areas of former Gazankulu.

Dr Nceba Hene, a biokineticist for more than 20 years with a special interest in corporate wellness and high-performance sport, has been accoladed for a PhD thesis which has created opportunities for fellow biokineticists to participate in wellness programs.

Peter Brauer, a past-president of the SA Optometry Association, qualified as an optometrist in 1977 and is a highly respected opinion-leader and role model, who has positively influenced the lives of many practitioners, and his patients, from both clinical and ethical perspectives.  

Digital Healthcare Innovation Award

Dr Dulcy Rakumakoe, of Quadcare, whose decision to become a doctor to provide quality healthcare in a dignified setting, has culminated in Quadcare’s expanding network of primary healthcare clinics…

Mari Leach, a registered Biokineticist with almost 20 years of private practice experience with a focus on enabling people to move better and become healthier by providing them with the tools and ‘recipes’ specific to their needs to manage their injuries and chronic conditions.

Community Service Awards

Dr Mohamed Kaka, for his role in the face of a serious pandemic crisis and with little or no assistance from colleagues, to almost single-handedly set up the entire COVID Centre for the community of Azaadville on the West Rand, Gauteng.

Dr A. ‘Haggis’ Black, in private practice in Adelaide, Eastern Cape, for the last 40 years has served on many local “Boards” School committees, Adelaide Board of Aid, and also established the Nursing Bursary Fund for local matric graduates.

Tygerberg Biokinetics Paediatric Rheumatology (TBPR) Community Clinic: Prof Karen Welman, from the Division of Biokinetics at Stellenbosch University, Dr Dee Abraham, a paediatric rheumatologist at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, and biokineticist, Su-ané Zwiegelaar, rewarded for the evidence-based treatment they are now able to provide children in need at the Tygerberg Biokinetics Paediatric Rheumatology (TBPR) community clinic initiated by Prof Welman and Dr Abraham in 2021.

Faith Chabedi, an optometrist with a Master’s Degree in Public Health responsible for the Bona Bolo project, a non-government organization (NGO) that provides eye care services to underprivileged children in South Africa.

Qaqamba Ndlela, realising that her hospital was not able to reach more than 65% of babies with its new-born hearing screening program due to several challenges, a determined Qaqamba motivated audiologists to visit the hospital on weekends to do the screening.

Health Science Student Award

Jevon Moodley, who recently finished his Bachelor of Optometry degree at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, was nominated unanimously for this award by optometry academics for not only his exemplary academic performance and clinical excellence but also his reliability to assist when called upon by his peers and lecturers alike

Young Doctors Merit Award

Ruvasha Govender, final year at University of Pretoria, and Stellenbosch University student, Maki Kaseke.