Professor Hennie Botha is a renowned gynaecological oncologist and the Executive Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Stellenbosch University. A leading clinician, teacher, mentor and researcher, with a particular interest in cervical cancer treatment and prevention.

In this episode of Awakening Doctor, Prof Botha joins Dr Maria Christodoulou to reflect on his leadership journey and medical career. From his early clinical years at a small rural hospital in Malawi to leading an academic department through a time of socio-political transformation, he shares thoughtful insights into the challenges and rewards of academic leadership, and the cultural shifts he has witnessed in medicine over time.

Together, we explore the non-linear path of a medical career, the emotional complexity of working with cancer patients, and the importance of healthy boundaries for navigating grief as a clinician. We also reflect on the restorative power of music and mountains, and the role of humility, openness, and curiosity in facilitating meaningful change.

From quiet introspection to systemic transformation, this episode offers a measured yet powerful perspective on what it means to lead, to serve, and to grow - both as a clinician and as a human being. Join us for a thoughtful reminder that medicine is never just medical; it’s also personal, relational, and political.

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Credits:
Hosted by Dr Maria Christodoulou
Produced and edited by Amy Kaye

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