UKZN Medical Graduate Overcomes Disability to Graduate Cum Laude

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Studying for a Medical degree is a huge challenge in itself but the load got really heavy for Dr Eileen van der Westhuizen when out of the blue she experienced a devastating hearing impairment midway through her course.

But she soldiered on and graduated from UKZN with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree cum laude. An all-round-star with a determination to succeed come what may, van der Westhuizen, currently doing her Medical internship at the Livingstone Complex in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), says it was her mother, Ms Carine van der Westhuizen, who inspired her to study Medicine.

Van der Westhuizen recalled her sudden hearing loss. ‘I was busy with my Internal Medicine rotation at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi during my fourth year of Medical School. I woke up on a Sunday morning and as soon as I opened my eyes, I knew something was wrong. The whole room was spinning around and around, and I could not lift my head from the bed without becoming nauseous. I also immediately noticed the hearing was gone in my left ear.

‘After multiple appointments with my ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon and audiologist, as well as an operation, I was diagnosed with Sudden Idiopathic Sensorineural hearing loss. Just like that, with no warning, I had permanently lost the hearing in my left ear. Unfortunately, it is complicated by having chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears) as well as episodes of vertigo. I have been fitted with a hearing aid which assists me to localise where sound is coming from, but the hearing loss is too severe to assist with speech discrimination,’ said van der Westhuizen.

Working in the trauma and casualty sections has been the most challenging for the young doctor. ‘I have been involved in emergency resuscitations where there is a lot of background noise with machines beeping as well as doctors speaking and instructing all at once, which makes it impossible for me to hear the plan of the resus. There is simply no time in emergencies to ask someone to repeat themselves which puts me under silent pressure,’ she said.

Van der Westhuizen remembers that as a 10-year-old she already had a passion for Medicine. ‘I used to accompany my mom, who is an occupational nurse to assist in treating patients.

‘However, I can recall the exact day I knew without a doubt that I wanted to become a doctor. I was just 15 and my single-parent mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. It was a time in my life filled with uncertainty regarding the future, but through all my mom’s chemotherapy sessions, nursing her at home, doing wound dressing for her intercostal drain and the hospital visits, I discovered a desire to serve those in need,’ said van der Westhuizen. ‘I am beyond overjoyed that my mom is now in remission and gets to enjoy my MBChB graduation with me.’

Van der Westhuizen attended Pearson High School in Gqeberha where she took part in multiple sports including playing 1st team hockey for three years, being part of the swimming team and playing Under 14A and Under 15A water polo. An all-rounder, she also participated in various cultural clubs and societies, including being on the Interact Rotary Club committee, the First Aid committee, the Afrikaanse Taal - en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV) Youth Representative Committee and completing the Toastmasters course as well as obtaining bronze levels in Ballroom and Latin dancing.

‘A highlight of my time at Pearson was being elected as a prefect as well as being chosen to participate in our school’s Mr and Miss Personality competition,’ she said.

Van der Westhuizen plans to specialise in Internal Medicine on completion of her community service. ‘I have learned invaluable life lessons of determination and resilience. However, I would not have been able to get to where I am without my loving family who supports me throughout all my pursuits and above everything, I trust in God who has a plan for my life.’

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Supplied