Tenure as inauguration president 2005:

Bridged the professional gap that existed between doctors and nurses

Facilitated the start of open dialogue and elevation of patient care as a result;

Established the ground rules of WHASA within an inter-disciplinary nature

Expanded the reach of  the association to be inclusive of  neighboring countries south of the Equator

In a famous letter to Robert Hooke in 1675, Sir Isaac Newton made this famous statement: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”. I can only echo his sentiments. It is therefore with a great sense of gratitude and humility (and some surprise!) that I embraced being the first President of WHASA in 2007: the amalgam of several wound healing societies and the sum of the tireless work of so many experts that went before. 

What will never be forgotten is how everyone rallied to make the conference at Kievietskroon a success; even having speakers like Dr Church on maggot debridement therapy, and the late Margaret Roberts on the role of natural remedies. 

It was fresh and collaborative… Trade came together in a truly unique way that has been one of WHASA’s strengths to this day. 

There are many who played a role but Liezl Naude, Dr. Piet Pretorius, and Sr. San Gerryts deserve special mention. It would not have been possible without their tireless efforts. 

The ongoing vision of WHASA remains: to continue being the champion for wound care; setting the benchmarks and standards of care, both in training, and research, and the quality of wound care itself. 

It was an honor and a privilege to hand over the baton to a succession of competent leaders who took WHASA far further than I ever believed possible — amidst great challenges and unrelenting economic pressures. WHASA is a miracle and a very precious one.

May we never lose sight of what WHASA stands for. Looking back often allows us to see how far we have come; what a legacy it has become. May we all continue striving for excellence by investing ourselves in this work and endeavor that is WHASA.