Prof Francis Smit was appointed Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 2004.

Dr Michael A Long is the head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Division. He is responsible for service delivery – pediatric & adult cardiac surgery, training of registrars – theoretical & practical, and administrative duties viz. compilation of OR lists, call rosters, etc.

Dr Long has a special interest in pediatric cardiac surgery, aortic root surgery, allograft surgery including the Ross procedure, valvular repair surgery and non-transplant surgery for chronic cardiac failure.

Dr Johan Jordaan is a consultant with joint appointment as Principle Specialist at the Critical Care Unit, Universitas Academic Hospital.

Dr Johan Honing is a first year registrar in cardiothoracic surgery. He is currently rotating for his intermediate examination.

Dr Lezelle Botes is a part-time research consultant. She is actively involved in all the research projects conducted within the department. Dr Botes offers guidance on projects layouts, the standardization of research protocols and study leadership for post-graduate students.

Lezelle matriculated from Bultfontein Secondary School in 1994. After matriculation she registered at the Central University of Technology and moved on to completed her National Diploma in Biomedical Technology (category Clinical Pathology) in 1997 and in 1999 her B.Tech degree. She also completed her B.Tech degree in Clinical Technology, M.Tech degree in 2000 and D.Tech degree (Title registration: HIV Genotyping) in 2005.

Lezelle received national colours in Athletics in 1994 – 1998 as well as provincial colours in Tennis (1985-1995) and Netball (1992-1994).

Mr Hans van den Heever is responsible for the full management of the homgraft heart valve programme (procurement, processing, storage and distribution), the management and excecution of large animal laboratory research surgeries, writing of relevant research articles, congress presentations etc., and managing of the department’s financial budget, expenditure etc.

Hans has a special interest in supplying suitable homograft tissue for transplantation to recipients both locally and nationally. He is also interested in research/preparation of suitable bio prosthetic tissue for transplantation as well as animal research work.   Hans is also involved in musculoskeletal and corneal tissue banking.

Mrs Márilee Jansen van Vuuren is the Manager: Clinical Technology. She is responsible for student training and administration. Other managerial duties include staff performance evaluation and strategic planning. 

Márilee has a special interest in research and is currently completing her Master’s Degree.

Mr Dreyer Bester is a Control Clinical Technologist. His departmental responsibilities include theatre work, stock ordering and administration. He is also actively involved in large animal research studies.

In 1995 Dreyer joined the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery as a student and qualified as a Perfusionist in 1997. He obtained his B.Tech degree from the Central University of Technology in 2002. He also obtained his M.Tech degree in September 2009.

Dreyer has a special interest in ECMO’s and VAD’s and also enjoys working at the large animal research laboratory. His research interest includes tissue studies on homografts.

Dreyer enjoys reading, hiking and watching Formula One racing.

 Mrs Altia Crous is a Chief Clinical Technologist responsible for cardiovascular perfusion services. She also assists in the practical training of students.

Altia’s research interests include the association of intraoperative metabolic markers to the outcomes of the surgical treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Salomi is a Clinical Technologist (Cardiology) involved with the clinical research activities within the department. This includes management of the research projects, data collection and data quality control, as well as providing echocardiograms for studies. She is also aiming to provide intra-operative echocardiograms within the department. 

Her research and further education interests include clinical epidemiology especially in Pediatrics, animal research, and outreach in the field of Cardiothoracic surgery.

Mr Zain Musa is a Chief Clinical Technologist responsible for the cardiovascular perfusion services. He is also responsible for student training. Mr Musa is involved in various clinical and large animal experimental research projects.

He enjoys supervision and training of students. Zain also has special research interests in line colonization in cardiac surgery and is planning to enroll for an M Tec Clinical Technology degree.

Liezl’s responsibilities include assisting with training, animal lab preparations, cardio-pulmonary bypass and cell saving.

Liezl has special interests on research on animals and is planning to do her Master’s degree.

Matron Louise Olivier is in charge of the cardiothoracic theatres in Universitas Academic Hospital.

Her special interests include cardiothoracic anesthesia.

Matron Rosalind Pretorius is the manager of the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. She is responsible for: patient care, training, finance, equipment and administration.

She is currently completing her Master’s Degree and has a special interest in infection control, research and patient care.

Matron van der Walt is responsible for ensuring a high standard of patient care on continuous basis through effective and efficient management of human and material resources under her control. She also coordinates in-service training needs of personnel. Since 2009 she has also been in charge of the outpatients’ clinic.

Matron van der Walt completed her four-year diploma in Nursing from the University of the Free State. In 1976 she was registered as a professional nurse (General Nursing, Psychiatry, and Midwifery). She worked in Community Nursing Science in 1978, as a professional nurse in surgery from 1976-1979, and in charge of several primary health care departments from 1980-1990. In June of 1990 she joined the Department Cardiothoracic Surgery as the Operational Manager.

Mrs Erasmus is the Administrative Manager of the Department Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Her hobbies includes painting, gardening and jewellery making.

Mrs Ruwayda Jansen is responsible for the secretarial and administrative duties. She also assists with the monitoring and data capturing of various research projects. 

Ruwayda would like to get more involved in research activities. She is also currently studying Criminology through the University of the Free State.

Richard graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in 2001. After receiving his MB.ChB degree, he completed his internship at the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad and community service year in Zastron.

Richard joined the department of Cardiothoracic surgery as a regisrar in 2004. He enjoys adult and congenital cardiac surgery and is specifically interested in ventricular reconstructive surgery, surgery on the aortic root and circulatory assist devices.

He is currently working in Kimberly, at the Kimberly Hospital complex, as Head of Department  of Thoracic and Vascular surgery, as well as offering his services at Universitas hospital on a part- time basis.

Thabo was born in Ladybrand in 1976. He attended school in Thabo Nchu and matriculated in 1994. In 2002 he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Thabo worked as an intern and community officer/doctor in the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital until 2004.  Before he joined the Department of Cardiothoracic surgery as a registrar, he worked in Intensive Care for 6 months.

Thabo has a special interest in pediatric related cardiac surgery and aims to continue with the ranks until the highest possible position is reached.

Other interest include soccer, tennis and table tennis ( "dikolofana")