Otto Wypkema started his career in 1985 in the healthcare industry in the family business at the Mayo Day Clinic on the West Rand. He systematically worked his way up in the industry and today is the CEO of Arwyp Medical Centre. Under his leadership Arwyp was the first private hospital in Africa to achieve ISO 9000:2000 accreditation, one of the key factors contributing to the success the hospital has achieved as well as the first independent hopsital in the country to establish its own nursing training institute.

When Otto joined the Arwyp management team in 1989, the hospital consisted of 164 beds and 6 theatres. He played a critical role over the years in growing the hospital which now has 340 beds and 11 theatres. Today Arwyp stands out as a centre of excellence and one of the biggest private hospitals in South Africa. In 2004 Otto took over the reins as the Chief Executive Officer of National Hospital Network which currently represents and promotes the interests of 104 independent hospitals and clinics. He has also represented the independent hospitals as a director of the Hospital Association of South Africa since 2005.

The Arwyp Management Team is headed by the hospital manager, Margaret Ireland. Managing all areas of the hospital means she has her work cut out for her and she runs a tight ship. She began working at Arwyp Medical Centre in September 2005 and was appointed as Human Resources Manager in January 2006. Margaret has a B.Sc degree in Dietetics. She began her career working at Mediclinic’s Barney Hurwitz hospital and the Johannesburg General Hospital.

Margaret’s expertise lies in facilities’ management and her strong operational background stands her in good stead for the position she is in. Her dual background in the healthcare and hospitality industry ensures that she brings a wealth of knowledge to her appointment.

Contact number: 011 922 1563 e-mail: margaret.ireland@arwyp.com

Demps Breedt has held the position of Hospital Finance Manager since 1992. He obtained his B.Com at RAU and his B.Com Acc at UNISA and completed his articles at Meyer Nel. Before joining Arwyp he worked at Mieliekiep for 6 years. He obtained an MBL through UNISA whilst working for Arwyp. Demps is responsible for the financial management of admissions, debtors and creditors.

Veronica started at Arwyp in November 2002 and worked as the facilities manager and non-core operations manager. Before that she worked for Fedics for ten years, starting off as catering manager and later becoming projects manager. She also worked at Netcare as catering manager for 2 years. During her early career she worked for various companies and received many awards.

These included 5 Star Grading Awards, Best Unit of the Year and a Firster award from the group CEO for going the extra mile to achieve 5 Star standards. She was also a Food and Beverage Manager at Sabi Sabi Game Lodge. Veronica has a national diploma in food service management.

After completing her 4 year nursing diploma and obtaining her B Cr Ed Admin through RAU and specializing in critical care, Dirkie Theunissen began working as a unit manager in 1998. She moved to Arwyp Medical Centre in 2008 from her position as unit manager of the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Unit. At Arwyp she was employed as the ICU unit manager and was then promoted to deputy nursing services manager and subsequently to nursing services manager in 2009.

Dirkie has springbok colours for judo and also enjoys jogging in her free time.

Contact number: (011) 922-1000 e-mail: dirkie.theunissen@arwyp.com

Chantell Rudolph has worked in the health care industry since 1995. She began her career at Clinic holdings which subsequently became known as Netcare. During this time she worked as a receptionist, ran the reception office for 3 years and was promoted to assistant credit control manager. During this time she worked in other departments in the hospital such as billings and was a ward secretary in the oncology ward. She then became the PA for a hospital manager and two matrons. During this time she studied Public Relations and Marketing through Damelin and worked as a PR manager for 2 years. She joined Arwyp Medical Centre in 2001 as a customer relations manager. Chantell was promoted to the Marketing Executive end of 2008 and subsequently completed a higher Marketing Management diploma through Wits Business School.

Gavin completed his National Diploma in Hotel Management at Wits Tech in 1995. He has held positions in various 4 and 5 star hotels throughout his career including The Palace Hotel, Sun City and Sibaya Casino in Kwa Zulu Natal. More recently Gavin headed up the Food and Beverage project as part of the LOC for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He now takes care of the catering, hospitality, cleaning and laundry divisions of the hospital's operation where he can add a new dimension to the services offered.

Delia Llewellyn is the Arwyp Pharmacy Manager. She is responsible for the front shop, dispensary and stores. After graduating from PU for CHO in 1886, Delia started her internship at Birch Acres Pharmacy in Kempton Park. In 1986 she moved to the Kempton Park Hydromed Hospital Pharmacy (which subsequently became Arwyp Medical Centre) as one of only three pharmacists and three assistants. She watched the pharmacy grow and left in 1996 after the birth of her son. She returned to Arwyp in August 2010. She feels her experience in the field is a big plus and is glad to be back at Arwyp Medical Centre as part of the team that makes customer care a priority.

Elsabe started working in the healthcare Industry in 1993 at Dalview Clinic. She won the HHD Top Ten Pharmacy Clerk of the year for Afrox Healthcare Group in 1999. She obtained her Pharmacist Assistant qualification in 2002 whilst working for Springs Parkland Clinic. Afrox acquired the St Mary's Women's Clinic and, with the Pharmacy Manager, she set up the stock system for them and also assisted with the setting up of the stock system for Life Suikerbosrand Clinic which was also a newly acquired venture of the group. She was promoted to Life Healthcare Head Office in 2002 as a Change Analyst (User Support Specialist). She obtained her Frontline Management Diploma in 2007. She has completed various in-house courses and started her B Com Fin degree at Unisa in 2008 and moved up through various positions within the group. After 16 years of service to the Life Healthcare Group she moved to Arwyp Medical Centre in April 2009 and was appointed as the Distribution Manager. She was promoted to executive management in 2011.

Ella Page started working at Arwyp in July 1996. She was appointed as Pharmacist Assistant in October 1996. She did dispensing until 1998 when she became a buyer for Arwyp Medical Centre until March 2007. She was promoted to procurement manager in April 2007. In this position she is responsible for all negotiations on prices for all hospital purchases i.e. medical, surgical, cleaning, laundry, capex, stationery, maintenance, all ward and theatre repairs and kitchen purchases.

Colin Page joined the internal stability unit of the South African Police Services in 1990 and was part of the unit assigned to crowd management and riot duties. In 1997 he became a police captain. In 2002 he became a colonel and was co-ordinator for the Ekhuruleni region. In 2006 he became high risk intervention team commander. He joined Arwyp on 1 March 2010 as risk manager and became the HR manager in 2011.

Helene Pieterse started nursing in 1976 and has a passion for the profession and for the personal and professional development of people in general and of nurses in particular. Her experience includes 4 years peadiatric nursing as a professional and later senior professional nurse at the Kempton Park Hospital and 7 years as a nurse educator and later senior nurse educator at the Ann Latsky Nursing College. Helene has had many years of management experience at the Arwyp Medical Centre and presently manages the Arwyp Medical Centre Training Institute, a private training school for nurses accredited by the South African Nursing Council.

Tharina’s speciality is debtors’ management and she oversees the administration and reception division of the hospital which includes reception, pre-admissions, debtors, billings and case management.

Contact number: 011 922 1305 e-mail: tharina.smith@arwyp.com