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04 November 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
Dr Emmanuel Arko-Cobbah
Dr Emmanuel Arko-Cobbah, Senior Lecturer and Medical Specialist in the Department of Surgery at the University of the Fee State (UFS) and a trauma surgeon, has recently been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

Dr Emmanuel Arko-Cobbah, Senior Lecturer and Medical Specialist in the Department of Surgery at the University of the Fee State (UFS), says he hopes his induction as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), will show the world that South Africa also produces great doctors from whom they can learn.

The ACS is dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment. Dr Arko-Cobbah was inducted on 19 October after a rigorous process. He was part of 1 800 candidates from around the world, but mostly from North America, with about 600 from other countries outside of the US and Canada.

Dr Arko-Cobbah, a trauma surgeon, says it feels surreal as it has always been his dream to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, although it often felt like an impossible dream. “I truly thank God, and I am very grateful, because to me, it feels like it's all part of His plans for me, that is why He is making these things possible for me.

“As a trauma surgeon, it makes me feel I have achieved even beyond our borders, and it gives me the opportunity to also share the knowledge we have locally with the rest of the world. We have a lot to offer, but we tend to get underestimated because of where we’re from,” says Dr Arko-Cobbah.

To become a fellow of the ACS, applicants go through a selection process after applying and then they need to be nominated by three different fellows of the American College who are in good standing. If their nominations get accepted, an interview follows whereafter the reports are reviewed by the committee which then decides the outcome.

South Africa produces great doctors

According to Dr Arko-Cobbah, he hopes to put the UFS on the map with this lifelong fellowship so that the world can know South Africa also produces great doctors and that they can learn from these doctors. “The other side of the coin is for me to inspire others to also aim to get into the American College, and to dream even bigger than this. If I could do this, then anybody can. Partner with God, and dream big dreams, and make big plans. That is what I was taught by Pastor At Boshoff since I was a student, and God has always been faithful.”

After qualifying as doctor and becoming a general surgeon at the UFS, and super specialised as a trauma surgeon, Dr Arko-Cobbah completed a Surgical Leadership Programme with Harvard University in Boston, in the US. “God has always been good to me, and I am forever grateful to the support of my wife and family and continued inspiration and mentorship from Prof André Loubser. I am grateful to the late Prof Theron, and the UFS Surgery Department, past and present, for always pushing me to be better. 

News Archive

Registration process not affected by power shedding
2008-01-24

The power shedding that has been affecting the country over the last few weeks has no effect on the University of the Free State’s (UFS) registration process and it is continuing as normal.

The Callie Human Centre in Bloemfontein, where the registration process of the Main Campus is taking place, is supplied with emergency power. Although power shedding is taking place on the rest of the campus, the centre is not affected by this. The registration process has been running smoothly so far.

“It appears that students are under the impression that the registration process is also affected by the power shedding and, as a result, they are turning up in smaller numbers than usual to register. This can cause problems for us later on because the registration process is divided into different categories of students and it takes place according to a predetermined programme,” said Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar of Academic Student Services at the UFS.

“If students do not keep to the registration programme it can create unnecessary delays in the registration process. I want to encourage students to keep to the predetermined registration dates that are applicable to them as the academic year will commence soon,” said Mr Collett.

Senior undergraduate students (that is students entering their second or later year of study) started registering on Monday, 21 January 2008. Students who applied for admission to the Main Campus after 30 November 2007 and were accepted, must register from 4 February 2008 according to a process applicable to them. Lectures will start on 4 February 2008 and the registration process will end on 8 February 2008. Registered modules can be amended from 4-8 February 2008.

Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website at www.ufs.ac.za.

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za

24 January 2008
 

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