This hospital manager is a jack of all trades
Two years since his appointment as Life The Glynnwood hospital manager, Hendrik Swartz has great plans for the facility.
Hendrik Swartz was appointed as the new hospital manager of Life The Glynnwood, mere months before the onset of the second Covid-19 wave.
About the past two years’ challenges, Swartz says that the period was psychologically draining on all healthcare professionals, but having a strong team ensured that fear and uncertainty did not hinder their ability to put patients’ needs first.
“Training and empowering departmental managers and delegating responsibilities has allowed me to maintain focus to not only manage a hospital in the throws of a pandemic but to ensure that all patients can access quality medical care,” said Swartz.
Hailing from the Western Cape, he started his career as a pharmacist in the Northern Cape and has worked as a pharmaceutical manager at various hospitals as well as a large privately owned pharmaceutical dispensary.
In 2017, Hendriks and his family made the move to Johannesburg where he was appointed as the hospital manager of Life Fourways Hospital.
“I will admit that I was initially scared of moving to Gauteng, however, the time had come to bid the coast farewell to come where the company needed me,” said Swartz.
“Working at various hospitals within the pharmaceutical department has taught me that to be a successful manager you need to acquaint yourself with the dynamics of each department thus allowing yourself to transition from being a specialist to a general manager.”
With a team of strong departmental heads behind him, Swartz has his sights set on taking one of the East Rand’s most hi-tech super specialist hospitals to new heights, by introducing more specialities to its scope of work.
“We are in talks to have a full-time cardiac electro physiologist join our team,” said Swartz.
“The specialist field tracks the origin of cardiac ailments such as arrhythmia thus leading to preventative cardiovascular care.
“We further want to add a paediatric cardiologist to our team of specialists. Shifts and changes that will ensure that Life The Glynnwood offers a comprehensive list of specialised healthcare to the greater community.”
When Swartz is not at the hospital he can be seen on the links, trying to improve his handicap, however, he says DIY and home projects, especially carpentry is what relaxes him.
“My job is truly a 24-hour calling so when I need to relax and unwind, I tinker with all sorts of projects,” he said.
“During that time you can separate yourself from your everyday stress and just be present at the moment.”
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