Willem says goodbye to Mediclinic group as Heinrich says hello

TRICHARDT – Mr Willem Schoonbee (63), general manager of Mediclinic Highveld, is retiring after 13 years at Mediclinic Highveld and 17 years in the Mediclinic family.

He began his career at Mediclinic in 2003 when he joined the Mediclinic Ermelo.

Mr Schoonbee accepted the management position at Mediclinic Highveld three years later and successfully managed Mediclinic Highveld, Mediclinic Secunda and Mediclinic Ermelo.

He worked in the corporate sector in management positions for 24 years.

Mr Schoonbee said although he is ready to retire, he will miss the people.

He always believed, throughout his entire career, that the people around you are the most wonderful and valuable assets to have to be successful.

Throughout his career he not only managed good relationships with his management teams and other staff members and run a huge business successfully, but he also established and maintained good relationships with other stake holders involved in running a hospital.

Ms Sphiwe Mahlalela, patient experience manager, said Mr Schoonbee was well known for his networking skills with various companies in town and elsewhere, to ensure that the services rendered to the Mediclinic hospitals was of a high standard.

Mr Schoonbee believes that as a Christian, one of his purposes in life is to enhance the lives of people around him and he believes that to see to the needs of sick people, is a very special calling.

Mr Schoonbee’s wife, Ms Louise Schoonbee, was a teacher at Marietjie School and she will also be retiring. The couple is soon moving to a farm near Groblersdal.

“I am used to going in sixth gear, it will be good to have a more quiet lifestyle,” said Mr Schoonbee. He is looking forward to spend more time outdoors when he retires.

In his free time he flies radio controlled airplanes. The Schoonbees are outdoor people and enjoy camping and spending time outdoors.

“We always had to go camping in the holiday season because my wife was a teacher, now we can go anytime,” said Mr Schoonbee.

“We are blessed with good health and want to use this time to tour around a bit more to Namibia.”

Mr Schoonbee has a granddaughter with whom he wants to spend more time.

Mr Heinrich Liebenberg was recently appointed as the new general manager to take over from Mr Schoonbee.

Mr Liebenberg has vast experience within the Mediclinic group as he began his career with Mediclinic in Kimberley in 1997.

After a short stance outside the Mediclinic group, Mr Schoonbee appointed Mr Liebenberg at Mediclinic Highveld five years ago as the patient admin manager and, because of his strong leadership skills and character, he was soon promoted to become the general manager at Mediclinic Howick.

When Mr Schoonbee decided it was time to retire, the company decided to transfer Mr Liebenberg back to Mediclinic Highveld and Secunda.

Ms Mahlalela said Mr Liebenberg is known for his strong values.

“It will be a great honour and a great challenge to follow in the footsteps of Willem,” said Mr Liebenberg.

“I do however, feel ready and equipped to take on the challenge.

“I believe that God will bless me in the same way He blessed Willem to manage the hospital to even a higher level.”

Mr Liebenberg worked with Mr Schoonbee for the past few months to ensure that the transition in leadership will not influence the business and service delivering to Mediclinic’s patients.

Mr Schoonbee thanked the community of Secunda and Trichardt for supporting them during their stay in the community.

The management team at Mediclinic said they believe Mr Liebenberg will, with the support of strong management teams in the group, keep on serving the community at large.

They wished Mr Liebenberg the best of luck and Mr Schoonbee asked the community to support Mr Liebenberg in the same way they had supported him.

Also read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/158588/visitors-mediclinic-highveld-hospital-will-screened/