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13 December 2021 Photo Supplied
Besides being the top medical student at UFS in 2021, Dr Mario Vieira is passionate about food, music and sport, and plays the piano and guitar for leisure.

Dr Mario Vieira, one of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) newest graduates in the MBChB programme, says he is fortunate and blessed to graduate from the Faculty of Health Sciences as the top achiever in the class of 2021. Dr Vieira will graduate at the year-end ceremonies. 

Says Dr Vieira: “Privileged is the first word that comes to mind. Yet, there are so many other emotions and feelings involved. One is relieved that the hard work is over for now, but in the same breath, quite sad that this chapter of one’s life has come to an end. Excitement also comes through, knowing that a new challenge lies ahead.” 

Dr Vieira says being the top achiever is undeniably an unbelievable achievement, but there were many other factors and people who made it possible. His family, especially his parents, were his greatest motivation. Their unconditional love and support have made his success possible. 

Multiple factors led to medicine 

According to Dr Vieira, who wanted to be a pilot when he was growing up, there were multiple factors that led to him eventually study medicine. He says: “My first experience with medicine was at a young age when I lost a good friend of mine to cancer. I believe the seed that was planted began to grow when my brother started studying medicine. 
“In high school I made the decision once I realised I was passionate about people and would love to make a difference in the life of others. I think it was the idea that if one could pass this degree, one would be equipped and capable to change lives on a daily basis. My friends in medicine and the support system in Bloemfontein were also incredibly valuable. When times were tough, we would carry each other through,” says Dr Vieira on graduating in one of the university’s toughest fields.

He is starting his internship on 1 January 2022 at Addington Hospital in Durban. 

Besides medicine, this Bothaville, Free State native is also passionate about food, music and sport. He loves cooking and hopes to retire one day with a small restaurant by the sea – cooking food and putting smiles on people’s faces. He also loves playing piano and the guitar.

His message to other students who might be considering studying medicine is: “Be courageous. You are capable of more than you think. Believe in yourself. Hard work, determination and time management can get you where you want to be.” 

Your courage 

Prof Lynette van der Merwe, who took up her new position as Academic Head in the Division Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences on 1 December 2021, congratulated the new cohort of UFS doctors and reminded them of the three Cs in the MBChB programme in 2021 – courage, conviction and compassion.

 “I saw your courage, the way you squared your shoulders and looked personal, academic and financial problems in the eye, and endured. You were brave and strong when it mattered most. and stayed true to yourself despite overwhelming odds. You made good choices although they were hard, you found a way to put one foot in front of the other when you were too tired to even think.”

“In the words of the poet Amanda Gorman, “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. May you always carry your light into a dark world.” 

News Archive

UFS tennis player off to World Games in Turkey
2005-04-06

Kovsie se nommer 1 gekeurde tennisspeler Michelle van Staden is na afloop van die SASSU Oefenkamp van 28 Maart - 2 April 2005 te Pretoria in die SA Studente span verkies om aan die 23ste Studente Wêreldspele in Turkye, Izmar vanaf 10 - 21 Augustus 2005 deel te neem.

Van Staden het te same met 3 ander Kovsie wat in die SA Studente oefengroep opgeneem is, nl. Dillon van der Haer  (Kovsie se nr. 1 mansspeler), Elliott Hogan  (2de agtereen volgende jaar tot oefengroep verkies)  en Lizelle Smith  (Kovsies se nr. 2 gekeurde damesspeler)  aan die oefenkamp in Pretoria deelgeneem.  Die week het bestaan uit fiksheidstoetse en rondomtalie wedstryde.  Uit die 8 mans- en 8 damesspelers van verskeie Tersiêre Instellings in SA is slegs 3 mans en 3 dames verkies tot die span wat na Turkye sal reis.

Die span is:  Mans:  Heinrich Heyl  (Tuks), Warwic Spence  (UJHB), Joshua Nkachela  (Tuks).  Reserwe: Mark Prior  (UJHB).

Dames:  Michelle van Staden  (Kovsies), Catherine Perkins  (UKZN), Zanele Tshabalala  (TUT).  Reserwe:  Leentjie Oosthuizen  (Maties).

Michelle het gedurende verlede jaar se SASSU toernooi nie een wedstryde afgestaan en is nie-amptelik as die nr. 1 damesspeler in SA studente tennis aangewys.  Smith was ook deel van die Kovsie vrouespan wat die goue medalje verower het tydens die toernooi.

Die UV se afrigter, mnr. Marnus Kleinhans sal die SA Studente span as spanbestuurder na Turkye vergesel.  Die afrigter is mnr. Gerrie Dippenaar van die UJHB.

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