Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Fulbright Specialist, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa


 It has taken me a while to write this but the internet connection at Wits was too slow to upload pictures and I was very busy during the day with preparations for the workshops. We delivered four - two on leadership and two on mentorship.

Being at Wits as a Fulbright Specialist was an incredible honor and I truly enjoyed the experience. Had the opportunity to meet the Dean of Health Sciences and had dinner at the home of the US Consular General. Also met many surgical oncologists and had dinner out on the town many evenings. And there was also some time for sightseeing to archeological sites and to Pilanesberg for a game safari.

Here are a couple of pictures from the visit.


A bouquet of flowers awaited my arrival in my room. Such a nice touch. My room was complete with a hot plate, microwave and kettle. When asked about food allergies as they stocked the refrigerator, I told them I was allergic to cooking!

 
 
 
 










These adorable figures were atop sign posts on the Education campus.


The sign on the building where I stayed. Matron seems to be such an archaic old English term!


This is the medical school/health sciences building. My building was just across the street from the medical school, making the walk to and from work very easy.



Statue on the medial school campus.



 
 My office was on the third floor of the administrative building - a very nice room.

Had lovely walks on the campus of both the health sciences and the education schools. Did bird watching and took pictures of flowers. Here are a few for you to enjoy.

 

Did you find the bird in the tree?



The hadidas has a very coarse call and wakes us up in the morning. A beautiful, big bird.




 

 




 
 
 

This is a chess board in front off the Education campus library.

  A chapel on the campus of the Chris Hani Baragwathan Hospital in Soweto. I had the opportunity t visit twice.


Assistant Dean Lionel Thompson-Green and Dr. Herbert, a surgical oncologist who built a very impressive breast unit at Bara.



A typical ward at Bara.



The team making rounds with Dr. Herbert.



New trauma bay ready to open any time now. State of the art unit in Bara.


Love the little one being carried on the Mom's back.



There is a wonderful history museum in the lobby if the medical school. I gave a lecture there, an very special opportunity.





OK, this was my favorite bird, not just species but bird. He sat in the tree right next to the medical school and I frequently went to visit him.



The library is a wonderful mix of the old and the new. From very old bound journals to a modern computer lab, the students have every opportunity to be connected to the world.


Two security guards, he helped me identify some local plants used in traditional medicines. She was very nice to pose in her uniform.


Innocent (administrative assistant), left, and Shirra Moch (co-ordinator of faculty development) were very helpful to me. I am grateful to their assistance.

 

 Could not comparing the picture to the winter snows on the south side of Boston. Using a chair to protect your parking spot seems to be universal.

Barbara and Lionel took me touring on a Saturday. We visited the origins of mankind museum, the Sterkfontein caves and enjoyed a celebration with a large community of family and friends. Dancing included!







We all wore hard hats so we could crawl through the tunnels.


Our tour guide. Rub his nose for wealth and his hand for wisdom.


If this doesn't keep you on the walkway, nothing will!


Origins of mankind museum in Morengo.


Dinner with friends and relatives of Lionel and Barbara.


The University of Witwatersrand. A beautiful campus.



Holy Trinity Church. The singing at Mass was in Zulu. Earlier in the day I attended a concert on campus by the student composers and musicians. Then went to a play in Afrikans. A very cultural day.


The rest of the photographs are taken during the leadership and mentorship workshops.



We used a case based approach for a fair component of the workshops. Each breakout group then had a leader to summarize the discussions of the group and the entire class was invited to comment. It worked very well.



This is Leanne, a gastrointestinal surgeon.





 
 





Shirra gave several lectures. She is a natural.


 Lionel also gave a lecture at each of the courses.


Dr. T. Luvhengo, Head of the Department of Surgery, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.






 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2 comments: