Women in charge: Mediclinic’s strong leaders

Meet these three women in leadership positions at Mediclinic.

Learn how they empower their staff, maintain a productive work environment, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

“I have always been a leader – in my family, my community, my church, and at work. As Nursing Manager at Mediclinic Muelmed, I oversee 278 nurses. I encourage all my staff to further themselves and become the best they can be. If you have been called to be a nurse, you must empower yourself academically. Our battlefield has changed; diseases are more complex, the patient profile has changed, and so has the technology. We can’t rely on the same skills we used 15 years ago. Nurses must constantly upskill to render safe care to our patients.

“I tell my staff it is very empowering as a woman to stand at the bedside of a patient and talk from a standpoint of facts and education; not emotion and ideas. I’ve been at Mediclinic Muelmed since 1996, initially as an ICU nursing sister. In 2005, when I was promoted to ICU unit manager, I was already planning my future. I began studying for a Diploma in Administration and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Nursing Administration and Education from the University of Pretoria. In 2013 I completed an MBA at Tshwane University of Technology Business School.

“I choose to be influential. I don’t speak from a place of power – I am a role model. Power creates fear; I want to ignite passion. I always knew I wanted to augment my clinical qualifications to move into an administrative position. I love being a nurse – I just knew I wouldn’t always be at the patient’s bedside.”

“As nurses, we choose to touch lives in an authentic way. It’s an emotionally challenging profession and, I always encourage my staff to keep focused. Our role is summed up in this poem by Rumi: ‘Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, “You owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.’

“As Unit Manager of a general ward with both medical and surgical patients, I oversee a staff of 36. I’m also responsible for equipment, budgets, quality, safety, and patient experience. It’s a very complex role because I am more than a business manager; I’m also required to display clinical leadership. I love dealing with patients as that is why I chose the profession – but I must balance my time very carefully.

“Clinical leadership means training staff to do the right thing. I lead by example through being present on the floor. When there are issues, I view them as teachable moments rather than punitive ones. I address matters by coaching and guiding my staff. I want to help them improve their clinical skills to grow and develop as excellent nurses.”

“I manage 28 nursing staff members and am responsible for quality, safety, infection prevention, risk identification, budgeting, problem-solving, conflict-management, plus purchasing and maintaining medical equipment, stock and supplies, amongst others.

“Early in my career I specialised in midwifery. Babies have always been my passion because through them, I can outlive myself. It’s so rewarding to care for a micro premature baby, born at 25 weeks; and then see them discharged and healthy. NICU nurses are advocates for that baby – we do everything for them as they are unable to speak for themselves. We also look after the parents and the extended family as a unit. We celebrate each milestone together.

“Mediclinic is a very supportive working environment that makes me feel acknowledged. The company employs a diversity of people and develops its staff through inhouse and external training. I set high standards for myself and for my unit. I realise other people’s potential and believe strongly in empowerment. I foster mutual respect, regardless of our different backgrounds and qualifications.

“I’ve just completed my MBA in International Health Management. As Unit Manager, I encourage my staff to develop further.”