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20 December 2021
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Story Igno van Niekerk
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Photo Igno van Niekerk
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 ...”
Well known US and international law scholar honoured
2014-09-22
 Prof Ralph Mawdsley
Photo: Stephen Collett |
On 11 September 2014 the Faculty of Law inaugurated Prof Ralph Mawdsley as extraordinary professor. Prof Mawdsley is from the Cleveland-Marshall School of Law at the Cleveland State University in Ohio. He delivered his inaugural lecture titled ‘Diversity, Affirmative Action and Higher Education: Searching for Clarity in Federal Court Decisions’.
In his lecture Prof Mawdsley traced the complex road the US has travelled since the seminal judgment in Brown v Board of Education and the various differing views on the interpretation of compelling interests – with particular reference to race and diversity in the context of university admission policies.
In her introductory address, Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, referred to Prof Mawdsley’s phenomenal resume of countless publications, national and international awards and numerous citations in court opinions, appellate briefs and law treatises. The honour extended to Prof Mawdsley coincides with the continuous drive by the UFS to establish a reputable international profile. During his visit, Prof Mawdsley consulted with various UFS staff members with regard to mutually interesting research matters.