Dr Betsie Louw from Standerton scoops up humanitarian award
Dr Louw put great value on the role her mother, late father, husband, children, family and friends played in the realisation of her commitment to community work.
Dr Betsie Louw, dentist at the Standerton Hospital, did the town proud after receiving an award from the South African Dental Association (SADA) for Humanitarian Services.
This virtual gala-event on Wednesday, February 16 also saw another dental practitioner, Dr Stephen Swanepoel, awarded for group projects and involvement on the association’s executive level.
Dr Louw was nominated for this award by an ex-colleague.
“Standerton is such a small town and for two dentists to be recognised in their respective fields, is quite a surprise,” Dr Louw said.
Her award did not take clinical, research or publishing expertise into account, but focused on her work at schools, clinics and the community, where she is adept at promoting oral health and educating the community on oral health care.
Dr Louw believes in treating every patient with dignity and empathy and handing out small gifts on special days, is par for the course.
All the celebrated calendar days such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Madiba’s Day and Christmas are rooted in her subconscious and she loves to make patients feel special on these occassions.
Dr Louw qualified with her BShD at the University of Pretoria in June 1985.
The decision to study as dentist did not come automatically, since she at first wanted to be a civil engineer, with dentistry eighth on the list.
“I have never looked back, it was the right decision,” she also said.
Her CV included buying a private practice in Vryburg after she graduated, working at Embhuleni Hospital, Elukwatini, near Badplaas, when her husband, Dr Eric Louw was in the army.
She joined Standerton Provincial Hospital on 1 January 1990.
Exhibitions at the Standerton Show also formed part of her reaching out to the community.
Dr Louw singled out Dr Hement Chhotolal, manager of the clinic from 1999 to 2018, who gave her free reins on any project she suggested, serving the community.
“We worked together for 19 years and he motivated me to become the best I could be.
“Although I organised the events, it would have been impossible without the support of the oral health team.”
Schools in town, farm schools and schools in Sakhile were visited, but the pandemic put a stop to visits and events in 2020 and last year.
Dr Louw put great value on the role her mother, late father, husband, children, family and friends played in the realisation of her commitment to community work.
“Everything comes from my heart,” she concluded.
