The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Faculty of Health Sciences celebrated special award recipient Dirk Kotze with the Chancellor’s Medal during the 22 July 2024 winter graduation ceremony.
Kotze earned his Masters in Emergency Medical Care (EMC) with a final mark of 87%. While unable to attend the ceremony as he resides and works in London, UK, Kotze expressed his immense honour at receiving the Chancellor’s Medal.
“It represents a significant milestone in my academic and professional journey. This award validates the countless hours of hard work and sacrifices needed to complete this degree. I am immensely proud of this achievement and inspired to continue striving for excellence and contributing positively to the field of emergency medical services.”
A career driven by passion
Kotze chose to study EMC to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. “Studying EMC at UJ provided me with essential emergency medical and rescue skills, enabling a career filled with exciting roles and opportunities. After earning my undergraduate degree, I worked as an emergency care practitioner/critical care paramedic, responding to emergencies both on the road and as part of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services team. I’ve also taught paramedic students and gained valuable international experience by working in different healthcare systems and cultures. EMC has thus offered me a diverse and ever-expanding career.”
Pursuing his Master’s degree allowed Kotze to enhance his strong interest in research, academic writing, and future opportunities in the field. His Master’s dissertation, titled “The Effect of Prehospital Endotracheal Intubation on Short-Term Mortality in Non-Traumatic Brain Pathologies: A Retrospective Cohort Study,” aimed to evaluate the association between prehospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) and mortality in the emergency department and during hospital admission for patients with non-traumatic brain pathologies such as stroke, seizures, and poisonings.
“This study was chosen due to the significant lack of existing literature on this association. Since prehospital ETI is a high-risk intervention performed daily in South Africa, obtaining quality evidence to support or refute this intervention is essential. The results were very interesting and challenged some well-established beliefs in the field. I am excited about the contribution this study will make to the progressively expanding evidence base of the emergency medical care field.”
Choosing UJ for excellence
Kotze selected UJ for his studies because of its renowned EMC programme known for its comprehensive curriculum, high standards, and emphasis on practical skills. “UJ offers state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty who are leaders in the field, ensuring top-quality education and training. For my Master’s, I chose UJ based on my incredible undergraduate experience and the quality education and support I received. Additionally, UJ’s commitment to research and innovation in emergency medical services aligned with my personal and professional goals, providing an ideal environment to develop my knowledge and skills.”
Advice for students
Kotze’s advice to students is to never give up. “Throughout your studies, you will inevitably face decisions to either stop and give up or continue and complete your studies. During my studies, setbacks and hardships made me want to quit, but I persevered and successfully completed my studies, even excelling. As President Nelson Mandela famously said: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’”
His future plans include completing his doctorate on a part-time basis while continuing to work clinically in the UK and building his international experience. “I also hope to continue contributing to research projects and innovation in the emergency medical care field.”
