The best prescription is knowledge

Dr. Werner Coetzee

Qualifications:

MBBCh (Wits) 2008
Diploma in Obstetrics (SA)  2011
Diploma in Anesthesia (SA) 2012
Fellow of College of Surgeons (SA) 2019
Master of Medicine (Stell) 2019
Certificate in Surgical Gastroenterology (SA) 2021

I completed internship and community service at Paarl Hospital in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, after which I stayed on as a medical officer in Anesthesia. There after I gained valuable surgical experience whilst working as a medical officer in general surgery at Karl Bremer Hospital.

After completion of specialisation in general surgery at Tygerberg Hospital, I felt myself drawn to the complexity of hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery, and subsequently completed subspecialist training in this field, also at Tygerberg Hospital.

HPB surgery is a particular interest to me, as diseases in this area often pose both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In addition, this area of anatomy is known to surgeons as the “surgical soul”, for it is located right in the middle of the abdominal cavity. Operating in this area is difficult, which adds another layer to the complexity of this specialisation.

Although focused primarily on surgical gastroenterology and hepatobiliary surgery in particular, I still practice general surgery. I have an interest in advanced endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery.

As a maxim I have taken to heart the words of the late prof JC Allan (Anatomist and Surgeon – WITS): “Early to bed, early to rise; work like hell, and organise”. Even so, I’m dedicated to my wife and 2 beautiful daughters and love spending as much time with them as is possible.