Dear Colleagues

We entered 2021 with many uncertainties, but we have decided to forge forward, using the opportunities provided by the new normal.  As a Faculty, we need to provide research-driven and high-quality education while prioritising the needs of society. This is evident in how our departments, Units, Centres and Institutes have done their best to establish projects and initiatives that will continue to have a societal impact for years to come.

Our theme for 2021 has been “Feed your Focus”. The Faculty has made many strides towards combating COVID-19 and the challenges brought forth by the pandemic. For example, the Faculty has established a vaccination site, introduced Stevie, our mobile robot that will help improve the treatment of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and launched the Food Parcel Project to address food insecurity.

It is also inspiring to see many of our colleagues impacting both locally and internationally, as you will note in this edition of the newsletter. I want to acknowledge all Health Care Workers on the frontline working tirelessly to save lives. To our researchers, let’s continue to collaborate across disciplines to conduct high impact transdisciplinary research. Let’s continue to foster a purpose-driven culture.

As Napoleon Hill once said, “Focus on the possibilities for success, not on the potential for failure.” I encourage everyone to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations and vaccinate as soon as you qualify.

Please remember to engage with us, send us content and follow us on social media; click on http://hsup.co.za to access all of our platforms. If you have content that you would like us to share and distribute, please send it to [email protected].

Remember to be kind to each other and yourselves.  Feed tour focus!

Kind Regards,

Prof Tiaan de Jager

The Faculty of Health Sciences congratulates Prof Tiaan de Jager on his reappointment as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.