I qualified as a doctor in 1995 and performed my internship
at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital. Although I always knew
I wanted to perform surgery, it was during my rotation through plastic
surgery as a junior doctor that I decided I wanted to be a plastic surgeon.
I was always amazed at the improvement in quality of life that this type of
surgery provided for the patients in both the cosmetic as well as the
reconstructive operations.
I then embarked on my quest to become a plastic surgeon. I started with
2 years of general surgery training during which time I obtained the
necessary exams to be accepted to the plastic and reconstructive
surgery department at the university of the Witwatersrand. In 2000, I
was accepted to become a registrar in plastic surgery and I rotated
through Johannesburg, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Helen Joseph
hospitals. I was lucky enough to be assisted in my training by
Professor Psaras, Professor Chait, Professor Widgerow and many other
senior consultants in plastic surgery. I became a fully qualified
plastic and reconstructive surgeon in May 2004.
During my training I uncovered a special interest in paediatric plastic
surgery. This mostly involved cleft lip and palate surgery as well as
craniofacial surgery. After completing my training in 2004, I performed
a fellowship in craniofacial surgery in Oxford in the United Kingdom. I
was under the tutelage of Dr Steve Wall who was the president of the
International Craniofacial Society in 2008 and 2009. During my time in
Oxford I gained experience in craniofacial and cleft surgery and I was
exposed to the art of cosmetic surgery.
Currently I am practicing at Sunninghill Hospital and Morningside Clinic as a fully
qualified plastic surgeon. In addition to this, I work at Charlotte
Maxeke (JHB General) hospital where I am very involved in the training
of registrars who are becoming plastic surgeons. in 2014, I was made an adjunct
Professor of Plastic Surgery by the University of the Witwatersrand for my academic
and research achievements.
I am registered as a fully qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon
with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). I am also
registered with the General medical council (GMC) in the United Kingdom
as well as the Cyprus Medical Council (CMC).
I am currently a full member of the Association of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgeons of South Africa (APRSSA) and I am the president elect
for this association. In addition, I am an International Associate Editor of the acclaimed
"Plastic and Reconstructive Journal".
Although I enjoy surgery, I am also interested in research and I have
had the opportunity to publish many articles in the fields of both
craniofacial surgery as well as cosmetic surgery. These articles have
been published in peer reviewed journals such as the "
Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgery" as well as the "
Journal of Craniofacial Surgery".