“Medicine is an art built on science and trust and to be successful you need to be an artist that honours both. It is also about contributing to the larger community in which you operate, respecting your peers and colleagues, and contributing positively.” This is according to Dr Wickus Fourie, who specialises as an Urologist, based at Life Rosepark Hospital.
He also attends to emergency cases in the Emergency Room and treats patients in the wards and operating theatre.
When asked why he entered the medical field, he says: “Believe it or not but initially it was because of a girl. During my community service, I fell in love with a beautiful young lady who had a permanent position at the hospital where we worked.”
He adds that the only way he could stay on was if he took a post in the Urology Department. “I then fell in love again, but this time with the field of Urology. We treat patients of all ages, both males and females. There is a good balance between medical management of diseases and time in the operating theatre. There is never a dull moment.”
Dr Fourie says he is motivated by happy patients. “It is a great privilege to assist a patient on the road from diagnosis to treatment and hopefully recovery. Being part of that journey is what keeps me going. My family – especially my parents – made great sacrifices for me to get where I am today. I owe it to them to get up every day and use every opportunity that comes my way.
Looking back at his career, the one thing he says he wishes he did more often is stopping along the way to smell the flowers.
“In Medicine, we often worry so much about the next exam or course that we kind of lose focus of what is going on around us. I missed countless family gatherings, weddings, and trips because I was too focused on the next goal. Looking back, an extra braai here and a holiday there would not have made a difference.”
Dr Fourie believes having a successful practice can mean different things to many people. To him, however, there’s more than having a full waiting room or making rare diagnoses. “A successful practice is a place where patients feel comfortable sharing and showing what they are not willing to do anywhere else,” he says.
The characteristics he associates success with are being available, reliable, and capable.
His advice to younger men: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help when starting. I am fortunate to have colleagues who have been in practice for many years. I learned a great deal from them and got a lot of sound advice when starting.”
Dr Fourie says he does not attach too much value to academic or professional achievements as being a husband and raising a family is by far his biggest achievement. “When you have a young family like mine then there is enough to keep you busy and not so much relaxing going on! I like spending time at home with my kids. I also enjoy fishing and cycling. On occasion I also lose some balls on the golf course.”
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Text: JUSTINE FORTUIN Photograph: GYPSEENIA LION
