Farewell to UKZN’s QI Star

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The UKZN community celebrated the life of Quality Improvement Star, Dr Jennifer Ramamah Reddy-Moodley at a memorial service organised by UKZN’s Center for Rural Health (CRH).

Reddy-Moodley joined UKZN in 2008 as a Project Director for 20 000+ partnership, a programme which sought to reduce mother -to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS. She was one of the pioneers of Quality Improvement (QI).  QI is the method by which health systems are improved in a specific context to implement generalisable medical evidence.

20 000+ has since been incorporated into the Centre for Rural Health. She died on May 2 2015 at age 58. She is survived by her husband Robin Moodley and their two children.

Family Medicine Head of Department, Dr Bernhard Gaede, who previously worked with Reddy-Moodley at CRH expressed the College of Health Sciences’ deepest condolences to the Moodley family and loved ones.

‘Jennfer had great qualities and was committed to her life of service. She was passionate about improving services, particularly for children,’ Gaede said.

He described Reddy-Moodley as a caring and engaging woman who engaged fully with communities, ‘She formed the 20000+ partnership team well and her life was much bigger than her work,’ added Gaede.

He urged the former 20000+ staff, now the CRH staff members to find strength in the memories they all shared with Reddy-Moodley, ‘May the memory of her be a blessing to us.’

US Consulate (Durban), PEPFAR Provincial Liaison, Chalone Savant said the US Government was happy to have been a part of Reddy-Moodley’s life.

‘She was one of the greatest people I ever met. She was a real person. She always responded. What an amazing legacy she has left behind. She saved so many lives of women and children. We are proud to have been part of her life and work.’

Speaking on behalf of 20 000+ partners, Ellen Ntswe recalled Reddy-Moodley as a very polite but strict and firm boss who went beyond the call of duty.

‘Jennifer was not only our boss, but a mother to us too’, said former 20 000+ partnership employee, Lungi Mdikeli.

‘Today we are celebrating Quality Improvement as a country, thanks to Jennifer who is the Quality Improvement Hero.’ she added.

Sandra Reid shared Reddy-Moodley’s time at 20 000+ through a moving photo slide presentation which brought tears to many eyes. Meanwhile, Mc Cord Hospital CEO, Dr Mannie had no words for the loss of Reddy-Moodley whom he knew since medical school. Instead he sang a song “I know that I can make it” accompanied on his guitar. The Congregation joined in and sang along with Mannie. At the close he said Reddy-Moodley was the epitome of love, humility, compassion and grace.

The Memorial service was also addressed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Senior Vice-President, Professor Pierre Barker who reflected on the important work Jennifer had done. Barker is a QI International expert based at the University of North Carolina in the United States and worked closely with Reddy-Moodley over the past 8 years. 

Robin Moodley said: ‘With Jennifer, we experienced grace that carries. What gives us hope is that Jennifer understood legacy. She capacitated her staff and she saw potential in everyone, which was a testimony of her leadership. Jennifer always embraced people and only saw hope. We need to see hope even if the situation is bleak. Finish strong and die empty,’ he said.

Reddy-Moodley qualified as a doctor in 1978. In 1980-1992 she worked as a principal medical officer in the Department of Pediatrics. From 1992-1999 she was employed by the Durban City Health department as a clinical medical officer. She played a role as a local government representative on the KZN Therapeutics Committee. She was also a chairperson for the Research Committee at eThekwini Municipality. In 2001 she was a manager for the HIV and AIDS programme. From 2003-2008 she worked as deputy head for Clinical services - eThekwini Health Services.

Nombuso Dlamini