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UFS Department of Dermatology celebrates opening of Dermatologic Surgery Unit at Universitas Hospital

23 September 2025 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Sizwe Gwiba

Dermatology Unit — Celebrating the milestone launch of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital, a new chapter for advanced patient care, training, and research.

The Department of Dermatology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) marked a historic milestone with the official opening of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital on 11 September 2025. This new facility represents a significant step forward in expanding access to specialised surgical treatment for complex dermatological conditions, while simultaneously strengthening academic training and research opportunities for registrars and medical students.

The inauguration was attended by Prof Francois P Retief, a distinguished medical pioneer from the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences, after whom one of the faculty buildings is named. His wife, Ria Retief, extended words of gratitude and gifted a book from his medical library to Prof Frans Maruma, Head of the Department of Dermatology.

“We are truly honoured to be included in this significant milestone and to witness the beginning of what we know will be an impactful journey aimed at improving patient care,” Ria Retief said. “It is a privilege to celebrate this remarkable achievement with you, and we deeply admire your dedication and vision.”

Honouring a legacy in dermatology

In his opening address, Prof Maruma reflected on the journey that led to the establishment of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit, acknowledging the teamwork, persistence, and collaboration that made the vision a reality.

“The Derm-Surgery Unit is not just a surgical space – it is a testament to teamwork, perseverance, and the drive to advance patient-centred care in dermatology,” he said. “We pay homage to visionary leadership that has afforded us the opportunity to expand dermatology services to include surgery and as a skill sacrosanct to modern practice. This is not only about healing, but also about preparing our registrars for the realities of clinical practice through work-integrated learning.”

Prof Maruma extended appreciation to colleagues and staff members in the Department of Dermatology, as well as strategic partners in the UFS, the Department of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, and private practitioners who dedicate their time to teaching and mentoring. Special acknowledgement was given to Dr Marc Roscher, Dr Harriet Makuru, and Dr Yashica Khalawan, who played a pivotal role in supporting the project’s launch.

The programme also included remarks by senior academic leaders. Prof Alicia Sherriff, Acting Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, commended the department for its innovation and foresight in the face of resource limitations, highlighting the potential for further expansion through collaboration with both public and private stakeholders.

While cutting the ribbon, Prof Thabiso Mofokeng, Head of Internal Medicine at Universitas Academic Hospital, emphasised that the launch of the Derm-Surgery Unit reflects the broader ethos of the clinical platform: to enable world-class training, foster research excellence, and deliver quality healthcare that is responsive to the needs of the community.

The launch underscored the university’s commitment to Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), bridging the gap between academic training and real-world clinical demands. The Derm-Surgery initiative is designed to equip registrars with essential industry-specific skills in procedural dermatology while fostering collaboration between private and public healthcare sectors. The evening concluded with awards recognising individuals whose contributions ensured the success of this landmark opening.

Looking ahead, the Department of Dermatology envisions its Derm-Surgery Unit as more than just a clinical unit – it is set to become a hub of advanced patient care, high-impact training, and cutting-edge research. This initiative strengthens the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences’ role as a leader in medical education and healthcare innovation in the Free State and beyond.

News Archive

International speakers discuss diversity

2014-02-11

Dr Charles Alexander from UCLA
Photo: O'Ryan Heideman

International and local experts recently gathered on the Bloemfontein Campus to deliberate over the topic of diversity.

Student participation and mobility dramatically increased in higher education worldwide. Cultural, political, economic and social factors on a national and global scale, have brought the reality of diversity into the operational spaces of Higher Education Institutions. These challenges are not exclusive to South Africa, though. In the Netherlands and USA, universities are also challenged by the demands of an increasingly diverse student population.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, acted as one of the keynote speakers during a two-day colloquium hosted by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice. In an impelling address, Prof Jansen argued that change cannot be affected on a university campus if the surrounding community does not change as well. He also noted the spread of a culture of silence surrounding issues of misbehaviour. He urged that we need to find courage again to speak out. From the level of government, media and churches to the private spaces of our homes, we have to co-create an environment of care.

This message closely tied in with that of Prof Shirley Tate’s from the University of Leeds. In her keynote, she asserted that mere tolerance of someone different from you can lead to even more alienation. The path to true reconciliation is grounded in the intimacy of friendship. Friendship and empathy lead to trust and transcend racism.

Another keynote speaker from abroad, Dr Charles Alexander from the University of California, delineated a model for inclusive excellence. He explained that the major problem of true transformation is not due to a lack of ideas, but in the implementation thereof. “Realities of implementation short circuit the change process,” he said. He explained how campus environments can adapt in order to support and enhance lasting inclusivity.

We have to become complicit in the process of transformation, Prof Dr Ghorashi, Professor of Diversity and Integration at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, conveyed. Linking up with the issue of silence, she demonstrated the power of speaking out, using examples from her extensive research among victims of violence. It is imperative, she maintains, that for transformation to materialise, we need to create safe spaces in which we can share our vulnerabilities.

Footnote: Due to unfortunate circumstances, both Prof Dr Ghorashi and Prof Shirley Tate could not personally attend the colloquium as planned. Their respective keynotes were read to the audience on their behalf.

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