COHSASA appoints new board members, changes in leadership

The board thanked Professor Erwin Schwella for his many years of excellent leadership as former Chair of the Board. Professor Schwella, appointed as Chairperson in 2014, is taking up a full professorship at the School of Governance at Tilburg University, Netherlands.

Wishing Professor Schwella the very best for the future, CEO of COHSASA, Jacqui Stewart, remarked: “It was particularly noted how much the board appreciated your ‘out-of-the-box’ and strategic thinking which has proved invaluable at the annual strategic planning meeting.”

From left: Former COHSASA Chairperson, Professor Erwin Schwella; new COHSASA Chairperson, Sharon Slabbert; and new Vice-Chair, Professor Gert van Zyl

Sharon Slabbert, a key figure in healthcare in South Africa, is the Executive officer, Health service delivery at the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA). She has been involved in matters related to quality, private hospital management and nursing in the South African health industry for many years.

Professor Gert van Zyl, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State and a previous member of the Board of the Office of Health Standards Compliance, is an Inaugural Fellow of the Association of Medical Education Europe and President of the SA Association of Health Educationalists.

A renowned researcher, Prof. Van Zyl has served and is serving on several medical and dental board committees and on the Health Professions Council of South Africa. His passion for quality clinical health service delivery makes him an excellent appointment to this position.

The new board members (from left): Mrs Madelein Mkunu, Professor Ethelwynn Stellenberg and Dr Sibusiso Zuma

Commenting on the appointment of the new directors, CEO of COHSASA Jacqui Stewart said: “I am delighted to welcome our three new board members. They have a wealth of experience and expertise and bring very diverse skill sets to the board.”

New Chairman of the Board, Sharon Slabbert, said: “I welcome with delight the new board members with their diverse areas of expertise and experience and I look forward to many years of mutual benefit as we work towards improving quality in healthcare facilities all over Africa.”

Mrs Madelein Mkunu, an accountant by profession, is the founder and President of Leading Women of Africa and Director of LWA-Corporate Investment, a firm that aims to increase the number of women involved in investment, international trade and other services on the continent. She is a Professional Fellow with the US Department of State at Michigan State University on women economic empowerment, strengthening leadership capacity and professional skills.

Passionate about leadership, Mrs Mkunu believes that her appointment to the Board of COHSASA will contibute in adding leadership support to COHSASA clients from around Africa.

Professor Ethelwynn Stellenberg is one of South Africa’s most accomplished professional nurses. She is the Associate Professor of Nursing at Stellenbosch University, overseeing advanced degrees in nursing, and teaches risk management to post-graduate students in the Nursing Management and Health Services Programme. She was Head of Research for a number of years; currently she is the Head of Quality Management and Regulation in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. She has played a significant role in the advanced education of South African nurses. She is a ministerial re-appointee for a second term of office to the Board for the Office of Health Standards Compliance. In addition to serving on the board she also serves as Chairperson of the Human Relations and Remuneration Committee, as well as serving on the Enforcement and Certification Committee. Professor Stellenberg’s appointment will continue to contribute boldly and fearlessly to safe quality patient care.

Dr Sibusiso Zuma is a technnical advisor on primary health care at FHI 360, focussing on quality improvement and achievement of Ideal Clinic status. He has many years of experience as a senior manager of clinical quality in three of South African provinces and holds several degrees in the field of health studies, including a Doctorate of Philosophy and Literature in Health Studies.

Dr Zuma has a wide range of knowledge on managing and monitoring health standards compliance and overseeing quality improvement programmes. About his appointment to the COHSASA Board, he said, “I believe my appointment to the board will contribute towards increasing the footprint of COHSASA in both public and private sectors with a special focus on the primary healthcare services.”