Director

+27 21 938 9874
​​+27 21 938 9046
​scvs@sun.ac.za​​

Professor Susan van Schalkwyk, M Phil, PhD., is the ​​Director of the Centre for Health Professions Education in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University. Research interests cover a range of topics related to learning and teaching in the health professions, with a specific focus on strengthening postgraduate studies and academic writing. Much of her work is informed by the principles of transformative learning theory, with current projects intentionally looking to adopt a social justice agenda. Susan is an SU Teaching Fellow and a Fellow of the International Association of Medical Educationalists (AMEE). She has authored or co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Senior Secretary: CHPE

+27 21 938 9054
​​+27 21 938 9046​
​marais5678@sun.ac.za​

Edwardene Marais is the Senior Secretary for the CHPE and provides administrative support to the Director and other senior personnel of the CHPE. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Centre as well as organising various workshops and seminars.

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Administrative Coordinator: MPhil and PhD in Health Sciences Education

+27 21 938 9047
​+27 21 938 9046​
​ lhl@sun.ac.za​

Mrs Lorraine Louw has a Medical Secretarial Certificate from Tygerberg Technical College and is the Administrative co-ordinator of the MPhil in HPE. She provides administrative and secretarial support to the MPhil and PhD students in HPE.

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Head of Simulation and Clinical Skills Unit

+27 21 938 9647
​+27 21 938 9858​
​ elizea@sun.ac.za​ 

Associate Professor Elize Archer, M Phil, PhD., is a Professional Nurse with an Honours degree in Critical Care. She is also the Head of the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre (SCSU). This facility host state-of-the-art equipment and is used by all the departments in the faculty. Furthermore, she is involved in faculty development initiatives that​​ focus mainly on clinical supervision and the OSCE as a tool for clinical assessment. With regards to research, Elize is a previous SU Teaching Fellow and also the vice-chairperson of SAAHE (Southern African Association of Health Educationalists). Her research is focused on the teaching and learning of patient-centredness and empathic communication skills in undergraduate Health Professions students. She has supervised a number of Masters in Health Professions Education students in other areas of HPE as well. 

Lecturer

​ rhodameyer@sun.ac.za​​

Dr Rhoda Meyer, M Phil, PhD​., is a lecturer at the Centre for Health Professions Education. She manages the Faculty Development portfolio and is a lecturer on the MPhil for Health Professions Education programme. She is an Operating Room Nurse by clinical background and has worked in various government and private hospitals both locally and internationally. She completed a Degree in Nursing Education and Management in 2011, her MPhil in HPE in 2014 and her PhD in HPE in 2020. Her research interest includes learning in the clinical environment, as well as a focus on curriculum development with specific reference to the role of the environment in teaching and learning.

Lecturer

​ akhansen@sun.ac.za​​

Mrs Anthea Hansen recently joined the CHPE as a lecturer and PhD candidate in Health Professions Education studies at the CHPE. She holds an MPhil in Disability Studies and BSc Audiology. Her interests are in the areas of social justice through education, transformative learning, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, child health and disability studies. Her PhD research topic focuses on the undergraduate medical students experiences of social responsiveness in the curriculum. ​

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Lecturer

​ amsschmutz@sun.ac.za​​

San Schmutz, M Phil.,  is a full-time lecturer across the Division of Physiotherapy and the Centre for Health Professions Education at SU. She graduated as physiotherapist from SU in 1997 and obtained her MPhil in HPE (SU) in 2017. She is involved in both UG and PG teaching and the clinical coordinator for the final year physiotherapy students. She does research in both areas with a main interest in clinical training and has fulfilled various roles related to clinical training over the years. Her interest lies in development of the clinical training platform as well as the engagement for both clinical educators and students. ​

Lecturer

+27 21 938 9447
​ +27 21 938 9046​
​ mvolschenk@sun.ac.za​

Dr Mariette Volschenk, M Phil, PhD​.,  manages the learning technologies team at the Centre for Health Professions Education. She is also a lecturer on the MPhil in Health Professions Education programme. Her key focus areas include learning experience design on the online platform and postgraduate teaching and supervision (MPhil in HPE). Mariette holds a primary degree in Nursing and Midwifery with specialist qualifications in Neonatal Critical Care and Nursing Education. She was the first candidate to complete the MPhil in Health Sciences Education programme at SU (2009, Cum Laude). She recently completed her PhD in Health Professions Education studies at the CHPE. Her research topic focuses on the identity trajectories of health professionals involved in master's level health professions education studies.

Learning Technologies Technician

+27 21 938 9190
​ +27 21 938 9046​
​ pinetown@sun.ac.za​

Mr Darryl Pinetown captures undergraduate and postgraduate lectures in podcast format Tygerberg Medical Campus. He also provides training to lecturers on how to make use of the e-learning tools such as Techsmith Relay to create sustainable lecture resources to be used for teaching and learning. He is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Faculty's Resources Website.  ​​

Blended Learning Advisor

+27 21 938 9190
+27 21 938 9046​
ebrits@sun.ac.za​

Ms Kanita Brits, M Phil.,  graduated from North-West University (BSc Consumer Science) and UNISA (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and completed her PGDip in Educational Technology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She is a blended learning advisor in the CHPE. Her key focus areas include working with subject matter experts to conceptualise, plan and design interactive instructional materials for traditional-led courses as well as web-based learning with the aim to integrate a blended approach and better facilitate teaching and learning within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She recently completed her MPhil in Health Professions Education (Stellenbosch University).

Blended Learning Advisor

 +27 21 938 9190​
​+27 21 938 9046​
​foiretjr@sun.ac.za​

Mr Jaudon Foiret is a member of the LT team at the CHPE in the FMHS at SU. He has obtained an M.Sc and has experience in lecturing to medicine and health sciences students as well as in the design of the anatomy curriculum. His current focus areas include learning experience design and advising subject matter experts and curriculum designers on online course design. Additionally, he supports the use of external content and communication platforms in the FMHS to promote lecturer-directed student learning. He conceptualizes and designs online learning material for and in collaboration with academics of the FMHS.​

Blended Learning Advisor

 +27 21 938 9190​
​+27 21 938 9046​
​calitzr@sun.ac.za​

Mrs Amanda Calitz graduated from North-West University with a BTheology degree and a post-graduate teaching diploma. She is currently enrolled for an MSc in Health Science Education focusing on game-based learning and gamification. She is a blended learning and simulation advisor in the CHP. Amanda's focus is on both simulation and blended learning, with the inclusion of game-based learning as applicable.​

Senior Research Assistant

+27 21 938 9944
+27 21 938 9046​
imeyer@sun.ac.za​

Mrs Ilse Meyer, M Phil., is a registered Physiotherapist who graduated from Stellenbosch University (BSc in Physiotherapy and MPhil in HPE). She worked as a clinician in various government and private hospitals as well as in private practice. She continued her career as lecturer, clinical supervisor and clinical coordinator at the Physiotherapy division and joined the CHPE as a senior research assistant in 2017.

Senior Researcher

+27 21 938 9452
+27 21 938 9046​
jacobsc@sun.ac.za​

Associate ​Professor Cecilia Jacobs ​has worked in Higher Education for the past 30 years. She is currently an Associate Professor in Higher Education at the Centre for Health Professions Education at the University of Stellenbosch. Prior to that she was the director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Stellenbosch. Her field of expertise is higher education studies, and she has worked predominantly in the area of the professionalisation of academics for their teaching roles. Her work has been of a transdisciplinary nature, and she has always conducted research at the intersection of her field and other disciplines, such as engineering and, currently, health sciences. Her current research focuses on the question of knowledge and the importance of its centrality in debates on higher education teaching and learning.

CHPE Academic associate

+27 21 938 9641
juliablitz@sun.ac.za​

Professor Julia Blitz (BSc; MB BCh; M Prax Med; FCFP; PGCHE; FRCGP[Hon]; PhD), is a family physician by clinical background and Professor in Health Professions Education​. She started exploring academic aspects of higher education whilst working in Family Medicine at the University of Pretoria (1997 – 2008) and went on to complete a PhD in Health Professions Education in the Centre for Health Professions Education in 2018. She teaches on the MPhil, is involved in the supervision of Masters students' research and is looking forward to supervising PhD students. Her interests include selection into undergraduate health professions programmes, faculty development (especially for clinical teachers) and assessment.​​​​

Language Facilitator Coordinator

+27 21 938 9457
fezs@sun.ac.za​

Ms Fezeka Dyubeni is an isiXhos​a clinical communication language facilitator. She graduated from Stellenbosch University (BA.Hons) in isiXhosa. She is currently completing her (MA) specialising in syllabus design for dietetics and health professionals in isiXhosa clinical communication at Stellenbosch University. Previously, she has been an isiXhosa second additional language teacher at primary and high schools as well as isiXhosa home language Tutor at UWC. In 2007, Fezeka’s passion for isiXhosa and promotion of multilingualism prompted Minister of Education Mr Cameron Dugmore, to approach her to be part of the team that had to design isiXhosa second additional language syllabus for primary and junior secondary schools of the WCED. This made her instrumental in introducing, promoting multilingualism and to add substance to government policy in Western Cape schools. Consequently, the WCED recommended her to assist in initiating the implementation of FMHS isiXhosa teaching in 2011-2012.

Clinical Communication Language Facilitator

+27 21 938 9457
ntsikim@sun.ac.za​

Ms Nontsikelelo Masiba (Ntsiki) is a language facilitator in Clinical Skills Communication (IsiXhosa). She has previously worked as an educator and has been teaching IsiXhosa as Second Additional Language (SAL) for about 10 years. She has graduated from Stellenbosch University (Bed Hons).Her experience includes e-Learning facilitation with the Western Cape Department of education (WCED).

Clinical Communication Language Facilitator

+27 21 938 9672
lmhlabeni@sun.ac.za​

Ms Linda Mhlabeni is an isiXhosa clinical communication language facilitator. Ever since she arrived at Stellenbosch University in 2012 she has been an anchor of the complementary isiXhosa Clinical Communication (XCC) and Afrikaans Clinical Communication (ACC) courses e-Lessons she developed and designed under the auspices of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy and the Language Centre. She continues this role and co-ordinates these language learning on-line interventions at CHPE. Linda’s e-Learning-focused role has since extended to ad hoc teaching of XCC. She graduated from the University of Namibia (UNAM), Windhoek (BEd. Hons) with specialisation in Curriculum Studies. She also recently obtained her Master's degree in Education (M Ed) from the University of Cape Town. Previously, she taught Afrikaans to adult learners and she was involved in training teachers in requisite areas identified by Namibian Department of Education using the skills she acquired as a qualified trainer. Primarily, she taught English First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) at two secondary schools in Windhoek, Namibia and at a TVET College in Cape Town. Linda has first language proficiency in 3 languages, isiXhosa, Afrikaans and English. Her areas of interest and research focus are language acquisition and learning as well as the implementation of technology during teaching and learning. ​​

Clinical Facilitator

+27 21 938 9935
+27 21 938 9858​
bespen@sun.ac.za​

Sr Bronwen Espen, a registered Critical Care Nurse, joined the clinical skills centre in 2009. She is responsible for the mapping of skills into the renewed MBChB curriculum and late clinical rotation teaching in the MB, ChB programme. Her main interests are using simulation for teaching teamwork and communication skills and using Debriefing for teaching in simulation. 

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SCSU Coordinator & Clinical Facilitator

+27 21 938 9935
+27 21 938 9858​
lvdwalt@sun.ac.za​

Sr Lizanne van der Walt is a Critical Care qualified nurse and has joined the SCSU as Coordinator and Clinical Facilitator in July 2019. Currently, she is the module chair for the Early Clinical Rotation, and assists with multiple administrative and teaching duties within the unit. Her field of interest is within the Teaching & Learning arena, especially focusing on the integration of e-learning and skills training. She has recently completed her MPhil in Health Professions Education. 

Clinical Facilitator

+27 21 938 9830
espies@sun.ac.za​

Ms Elsbeth Spies graduated from US (B.Cur). She worked in the private hospital sector as a registered nurse in the trauma division after which she studied her post-graduate Diploma in Emergency medicine through UNISA. In 2012 she obtained her Nursing Education Diploma (US), lecturing undergrad nursing students at a private nursing college and working as a clinical facilitator in various private hospitals. She joined the team in the CSCU at Tygerberg in October 2019 as a clinical facilitator.

Clinical Trainer

+27 21 938 9935
csmuts@sun.ac.za​

Mrs Cornelia Smuts graduated from the US (B.Cur Nursing) in 1994. She is a trained critical care nurse and did her Diploma in Medical and Surgical Critical Care nursing at RAU. She worked both in government and private hospitals. Cornelia also nursed in The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in the UK from 1997-1999. From 2017 Cornelia worked as a clinical facilitator in the SCSU. She is involved in the teaching of practical procedures to the ICM, ECR, dentistry students. She is also the secundi of the ECR medical students.​

Clinical Facilitator

+27 21 938 9855
+27 21 938 9077
rvtoorn@sun.ac.za​

Rykie Van Toorn ha (B.Cur nursing US 1997) Registered intensive care nurse (US 2002); worked in private hospitals locally and private and NHS hospitals in the UK. For the past ten years she was involved in the general and intensive care orientation and training of agency nurses in the private sector.She completed her post graduated nursing education qualification through Stellenbosch University in 2020. She joined the CHPE SCSU July 2021 and teach in the undergrad modules for the MB.ChB programme.

Clinical Facilitator

Sr Mariska van Zyl worked as a registered nurse in the private hospital setting for more than 20 years. She obtained her Postgraduate diploma in Nursing Education in 2014 after which she worked as a clinical facilitator in the general wards in a private hospital. She joined the SCSU team in July 2021 as a clinical facilitator teaching undergraduate students practical procedures.

Technical / Laboratory Assistant

+27 21 938 9633
arodrigues@sun.ac.za

Mr Tony Rodrigues joined the SCSU in 2020 in lending technological support with audio-visual requirements of facilitators in the SCSU, and also works as general laboratory assistant. ​​​

General Laboratory Assistant

Ms Nonhlanhla Msuthu started at the SCSU in 2021, and functions as a general lab assistant as well. She is responsible for lending support for lecturers and students utilizing the laboratory and management of recyclable items.

Administrative Officer

+27 21 938 9362
+27 21 938 9858​
hdakada@sun.ac.za​

Ms Helen Dakada is the Administrative Officer responsible for the day to day office management of the Simulation and Clinical Skills Unit. She also provides administrative support for the Extended Degree Programme within the CHPE.

Laboratory Assistant

+27 21 938 9633
+27 21 938 9858​
askotz@sun.ac.za​

Ms Anna Skotz have been employed at the university since 2009. Her duties include reception on the new SCSU extension, lending logistical support to lecturers and support students with items for practice.

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In Memoriam

Senior Lecturer​​
Dr Alwyn Louw

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