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20 December 2021
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Story Igno van Niekerk
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Photo Igno van Niekerk
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Dr Samantha Potgieter, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr Nicholas Pearce, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery comment on their team members’ commitment and determination during the pandemic.
On the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, two UFS doctors are leading a team of inspired healthcare workers in a superhuman effort to make a positive difference.
With the pandemic in its second year and the recurring challenges of new waves and strains consistently in the news, one would expect the doctors to be tired. However, quite the opposite is true. Upon entering the office where Dr Samantha Potgieter, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr Nicholas Pearce, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery are in a meeting with colleagues, the debate is vibrant; an energetic sense of mission.
Miraculously succeeded
My brief is to collect stories and experiences they’ve had over the past 18 months at the Tumelo ward for general and high-care patients, where the team has miraculously succeeded in not running out of oxygen or ventilators, despite handling high volumes of patients from the Free State and Northern Cape. “We saw those pictures of piled-up bodies in Italy. We were committed to avoiding that at all costs. And we did.”
Success stories? First mentioned are their team members’ commitment and determination. The team had to stand in when families could not support dying patients. “They did not die alone. Our team was there.”
“Really sad and frustrating are the deaths that could have been prevented. Unvaccinated patients. They arrive ill, wanting to know if they can get it. Too late...” – Dr Nicholas Pearce
Then came hope
Sad stories? The past year has had its share of sad stories. “Someone comes in during the morning, needs oxygen, in the afternoon they are in ICU, then ventilator – and then they die. We’ve never faced anything like this before.”
Then came hope. Vaccines. Dr Pearce is in charge of the vaccination site at Universitas Hospital. “Really sad and frustrating are the deaths that could have been prevented. Unvaccinated patients. They arrive ill, wanting to know if they can get it. Too late ...” He opens his cell phone – shares the stats. “We can handle 2 000 vaccinations a day. At the moment about 250 comes in.” He shakes his head.
“We can beat this virus, but we need to stand together ...”
Open Day 2014 gives visitors a glimpse of UFS
2014-05-12
The UFS was a hive of excitement and activity with the annual Kovsie Open Day on Saturday 10 May 2014.
From drumming up a storm during the welcoming ceremony to moving about the lively students and vibrant residence stalls, prospective students and parents can now also say that ‘only a Kovsie knows the feeling’. Visitors also had first-hand experience of how accessible our Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen, really is. At the Talk to Me gazebo outside his office, Prof Jansen dished up food while having a chat with parents.
This gesture echoed what Prof Jansen said earlier the morning as he addressed visitors to our Bloemfontein Campus in the Callie Human Centre. “The difference between us as Kovsies and other universities is that we are interested in you as a human being,” he said.
He then went on to introduce some of Kovsies’ top achievers. Among others were Izelle Lategan (U/21 SA women’s hockey player of 2013), Wayde van Niekerk (SA and Varsity Athletics 400m champion) and Izelke Klindt (BSc Hons in Astro Physics and winner of the Dean’s Medal in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences for 2014).
OFM presenter Success Lekabe, who acted as programme leader during the welcoming ceremony, praised the UFS as one of “the best university institutions from across South Africa.”
“Kovsies are changing their students’ lives to change the lives of others,” Lekabe said.
The 2014 Kovsie Open Day, with all its fun and laughter, reflected the truth of the UFS as an academic institution that inspires excellence and transforms lives to all its visitors.
Even if you missed the Kovsie Open Day, be sure to grab the chance to study at our university and ensure a lifetime of excellence and innovation. You can visit our Prospective student webpage for more information.