At Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital, we put patient safety first with a healthcare team that treats all medical and trauma emergencies efficiently and effectively. Our team consists of skilled emergency doctors who are enthusiastic and hardworking and capitalise on teaching opportunities to maintain high levels of clinical excellence. We strive to give you the best chance of a full recovery.
Dr Michael Waldeck
Q: Provide us with a brief overview of your qualifications and where you did your community service, etc.
A: I did my undergraduate medical studies at the University of the Free State (MBChB) and went on to complete my MBA in Scotland through Heriot-Watt University. I did my DipPEC through the College of Emergency Medicine in South Africa.
Q: Why emergency medicine/ trauma?
A: Emergency medicine has been described as ‘the most exciting 10 minutes of all other specialties’. As I can testify, emergencies range in intensity from the patient in full cardiac arrest to someone suffering from a minor cut to a finger. Often multiple severely injured patients may present to the emergency unit simultaneously. A rapid and accurate decision under high pressure is crucial, as patients’ lives depend on it. It is in these moments that my team and I make a real difference in someone’s life and have a meaningful impact.
Q: What is your take on quality in the emergency unit setting?
A: Because quality clinical care is at the top of my mind, I am driven to provide world-class care and outstanding clinical outcomes for our patients who present to our emergency unit.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have time off from the emergency unit?
A: Spending time with my family, running, cycling, swimming and watching rugby/ sport.
Dr Amy Elliott
Q: Provide us with a brief overview of your qualifications and where you did your community service, etc.
A: MBBCh, Diploma in Primary Emergency Care. Internship (2017–2018) and community service (2019) at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp. Briefly in GP practice from January to March 2020 until Covid-19 changed everything. An emergency medical officer at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital since January 2020.
Q: Why emergency medicine/ trauma?
A: Emergency medicine allows interaction with patients at one of the most difficult times of their lives. It is very satisfying to assist people at that time especially when we can make things better for them. The variety helps and keeps things exciting.
Q: What is your take on quality in the emergency unit setting?
A: I believe evidence-based medicine in the emergency unit is particularly important. It helps to protect patients and avoid harm when people are vulnerable. Most importantly, quality should be people-centred – both around patients and the people who work in the emergency unit – to provide the best care possible.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have time off from the emergency unit?
A: Spending time with family and reading, mostly fantasy novels. Dabbling in arts and crafts like crochet.
Dr Stacey Ramsey-Marais
Q: Provide us with a brief overview of your qualifications and where you did your community service, etc.
A: BSC (Wits), BSc Hon (Wits), MBChB (Pretoria University), DipPEC (CMSA). Courses: ACLS, PALS, ATLS, BSS (basic surgical skills), Basic Ultrasound. I was a GP in Ruimsig, a registrar at CMJAH in obstetrics and gynecology, and I also worked in General Surgery at Leratong Hospital. Been in emergency medicine with Life Healthcare for seven years now.
Q: Why emergency medicine/ trauma?
A: I have a passion for emergency medicine. It’s a great field to work in. Emergencies are stressful and difficult, and it is a privilege for me to look after sick patients. I enjoy the variety of cases and find it intellectually stimulating. I enjoy all the lovely people I get to meet. I thrive in high-pressure environments where quick thinking and medical expertise can save lives. There is great satisfaction in making a direct and immediate impact on patients’ lives.
Q: What is your take on quality in the emergency unit setting?
A: At Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital, we pride ourselves in the type of care our patients are receiving. We have regular academic events and keep up to date with current and new information in the field. We have recently added a resus machine and a state-of-the-art sonar machine to the unit to better aid in caring for our patients. We also have an amazing staff and a great team of nurses, porters, admin, and specialists who all come together to serve our patients in their time of need.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have time off from the emergency unit?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family and participating in sporting events such as running and cycling.
Dr Frederick Rossouw
Q: Provide us with a brief overview of your qualifications and where you did your community service, etc.
A: I completed my MBChB at the University of Cape Town in 2011. I did two years of internship in Bloemfontein before going down to the Lowveld for community service in Sabie, Mpumalanga. I subsequently worked for two years in rural Ghana where I gained experience in managing tropical diseases, mining, and occupational health care. I have been working full-time in emergency medicine and urgent care settings since 2017. I hold postgraduate diplomas in occupational health, emergency care and business studies.
Q: Why emergency medicine/ trauma?
A: It’s truly the first five minutes of all specialities, so there is never a dull day at work. It is rewarding when I can make the biggest impact on potentially the worst day of a patient’s life.
Q: What is your take on quality in the emergency unit setting?
A: I feel that quality healthcare in the emergency department means providing person-centred care in a timely fashion using the latest, evidence-based practice guidelines
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have time off from the emergency unit?
A: I enjoy the hiking trails of scenic Free State and try to visit Clarens with my wife at least once a month for a weekend break. You’ll find me on long trail runs looking for the next coffee stop. I am an avid runner currently preparing to run my first ultra-marathon in April 2024.
Dr Mathéo de Villiers
Q: Provide us with a brief overview of your qualifications and where you did your community service, etc.
A: After graduating from Wits I completed my internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital followed by my community service at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital. Exposed to numerous emergencies of different degrees, it created my foundation in emergency medicine. The years to follow were spent in private emergency departments as well as government emergency departments where I was granted the opportunity to put together a good and strong list of qualifications: Dip PEC, Basic Intensive Care Management, Primary Exams to The College of Medicine in Emergency Medicine. I was also granted the opportunity to become an instructor at Advance Trauma Life Support where I teach other doctors the principles concerning lifesaving in a trauma-injured patient. I also have a big interest in emergency ultrasound as I see it as an adjunctive tool concerning diagnoses as well as the management of my patients.
Q: Why emergency medicine/ trauma?
A: I find my career choice in emergency most rewarding, as the first hours are your golden hours which will determine the patient’s outcome – both quality of life as well as quantity of years. There is one specific case that will never leave me. A few years ago while working at Baragwanath, a young female was pushed into our resus bay as dead (she was cold, non-responsive with no signs of life clinically). However, our ECG monitor showed mild cardiac activity and we opted to resuscitate her. She was intubated, started on adrenaline and admitted to ICU. Five days later while I was working in the same, busy emergency unit, a very vibrant and glowing young female tapped me on my shoulder and said: ‘Doctor I just want to thank you for saving my life, five days ago I was poisoned and people thought I was dead and today I am being discharged’. I responded with a hug and tears running down my face.
Q: What is your take on quality in the emergency unit setting?
A: Throughout all my years in Emergency Medicine, I have never felt as content as I currently do, working at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital. The unit doctors work as a family. There is an excellent professional relationship between ourselves and the referring specialists. Our nursing staff serve as our supportive wings when it comes to patient care. The layout, structure, and quality are of such that I will feel safe and comfortable managing any family member of mine, not only in the emergency department but also in the hospital.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have time off from the emergency unit?
A: When I am not at work I spend my time consumed with exercise – a healthy body houses a healthy mind and spending time with the two people I love the most: My partner (also a doctor) and his son. Being in a relationship with another doctor can be challenging as time can be an obstacle (days can go by without seeing each other). That being said it is also very rewarding as your partner knows from personal experience your ups and downs.
Dr Zahraa Khotu
Q: Provide us with a brief overview of your qualifications and where you did your community service, etc.
A: My name is Zahraa Khotu. I completed my MBBCH at Wits University, after which I did my internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. My community service included time in internal medicine at Helen Joseph where I obtained my HIV Diploma. My community service ended in Emergency Medicine and I continued as a Medical Officer in the emergency department. I then obtained my DipPEC and level 1 Ultrasound Accreditation and worked at Helen Joseph until 2021. I spent time at Mulbarton ICU before joining Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital’s emergency department in 2021.
Q: Why emergency medicine/ trauma?
A: Emergency medicine is a dynamic space, you get the manage the critical (and most interesting and exciting) aspects of every specialty. There is always a challenge and never a dull moment. I have an interest in critical care and managing acutely unstable patients, this forms a large portion of the patient profile that presents to the emergency department. I also have a passion for ultrasound and the emergency department has integrated point-of-care ultrasound into the diagnosis and management of a multitude of conditions. The emergency department is an ever-changing speciality and the ability to learn and grow in the field is endless.
Q: What is your take on quality in the emergency unit setting?
A: Focusing on best practices for patient-centred care is the driving force behind quality in the emergency department. Life Healthcare places a strong emphasis on patient satisfaction but also good clinical outcomes. Both of which need an entire system to work synergistically. Everyone has to have a vested interest in continuous improvement to achieve these goals.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you have time off from the emergency unit?
A: I am an avid foodie, my husband and I love to indulge in fine dining experiences. However, as new parents, fine dining is limited to baby food for now. I currently find joy in making special memories with my little boy, my family and my friends.
