{"id":50959,"date":"2023-09-08T10:06:48","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T08:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/groote-schuur-hospital-celebrates-85-years-of-dedicated-service-20230131\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:31:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:31:14","slug":"groote-schuur-hospital-celebrates-85-years-of-dedicated-service-20230131","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/groote-schuur-hospital-celebrates-85-years-of-dedicated-service-20230131\/","title":{"rendered":"Groote Schuur Hospital celebrates 85 years of dedicated service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was a morning of fun and entertainment as staff at Groot Schuur Hospital celebrated the institution\u2019s 85th birthday today (Tuesday 31 January).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hospital is one of Cape Town\u2019s premier tertiary academic hospitals and was officially opened in 1938.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a celebratory concert, staff members were entertained by MC Quinton Manuels while local musicians Karen Kortje, Keanu Harker, Nhoza Sitsholwana and Winston Siljeur kept them on their feet with their rhythmic tunes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The hospital gained global fame in December 1967 when a young surgeon named Dr Christiaan Barnard completed the world\u2019s first successful human heart transplant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internationally, the facility is renowned as the training ground for some of South Africa\u2019s best doctors, surgeons and nurses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vincent Rossouw, Head of Support Services, Infrastructure and Facilities Management, says he started as a storekeeper at the hospital 40 years ago.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having worked his way up the ladder, the Strandfontein resident is now responsible for the upkeep of and upgrades to the institution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He supervises about 600 personnel.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rossouw says: \u201cOnce you start here at the hospital, it\u2019s like a magnet. There is never a dull moment. I have worked under CEOs. There has been a lot of change, infrastructure-wise. We have three roads leading to the hospital. The building of the new hospital was also quite big.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rossouw says the teamwork and camaraderie from staff are what keep him going each day.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Staff

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Staff members were entertained by various local artists during the hospital\u2019s 85th-anniversary celebrations.<\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Nurse Willencia Christians, operational manager in the Otorhinolaryngology Department, has been working at the hospital for 25 years and says she still finds satisfaction in her job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a privilege to work here, it is a good hospital. There are lots of opportunities and lots of services that we offer the patients.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians says being a nurse does have its challenges but says she is passionate about nursing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur commitment to our patients and delivering a service to patients are what keep me motivated and kept me here for the past few years.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Local

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Local artist Keanu Harker entertains the crowd during the hospital\u2019s 85th-anniversary celebrations.<\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tracey Morris, operational manager in the Trauma and Emergency Unit, says she started her nursing career at the hospital 36 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like looking after and being there for people. My mother was a nurse as well. It is so nice working here; you feel part of a family. You have your ups and downs but there are a lot more ups than downs.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Nursing

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Nursing staff enjoying the show. From left is Belinda Sylvester, Isabelle Kamfir and Leigh-Ann Maarman.<\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kortje thanked the hospital\u2019s staff for their dedication and commitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a privilege to be performing here and to celebrate this event. The staff must enjoy the celebration and I want to thank them for what they are doing for our people.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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