Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to cement its reputation as a premier institution for healthcare education and research, producing trailblazers like Dr Violet Matshake Rapoo, who recently earned her PhD in Physiotherapy. Her ground-breaking research, focusing on enhancing treatment protocols for patients with femur fractures and lower-limb injuries, not only addresses gaps in healthcare delivery but also underscores the university’s commitment to advancing medical science.
Dr Violet Matshake Rapoo
“This study identified challenges and gaps in the healthcare interventions that we provide for our patients. It makes it worthwhile to ensure patients receive high-quality care that is consistent and collaborative, where healthcare professionals work together,” says Rapoo. Her passion for improving patient outcomes reflects the ethos of SMU, where the fusion of academic excellence and practical application propels its graduates to make transformative impacts in the health sector.
Born and raised in Ga-Rankuwa, Rapoo’s journey to academic excellence is as inspiring as it is remarkable. Overcoming the loss of her father at a tender age, her mother’s resilience became the bedrock of her ambition. “Before I came to Medunsa (now known as SMU), I wanted to work with people and make an impact in their lives. I knew from high school that I wanted to be in the health sector,” she recalls.
Driven by a desire to help others, she pursued physiotherapy, a field that would allow her to play an active role in restoring patients’ mobility and dignity. Her years of practice, particularly in orthopaedics, gave her the insights to delve deeper into improving healthcare protocols.
Her PhD journey, though challenging, was a testament to her unrelenting determination. Balancing a demanding career, single parenthood and her academic aspirations required extraordinary perseverance. “At times, I would spend sleepless nights working on my research and have to report for duty in the morning. It was not easy, but by God’s grace, it was doable,” she reveals.
Through her research, Rapoo has brought to light the critical need for interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. Her findings could potentially influence policy development, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and cohesive care from hospital admission to rehabilitation. “This study may impact policy development for effective physiotherapy services for patients who sustained femur fractures. It highlights the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals, especially in discharge planning and treatment follow-up,” she notes.
Rapoo’s illustrious career includes serving as a Sports Physiotherapist for Team South Africa and travelling to international events like the Paris Olympic Games with top athletes. Her work with athletes, alongside her clinical and academic achievements, paints a portrait of a professional who embodies excellence in all facets of her career.
Reflecting on her journey, she expresses her deep gratitude to SMU, where she completed her undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies. “SMU is unique because it focuses only on health sciences. I did my junior degree, my master’s, and now my PhD here, all under the same institution,” she proudly states.
As Chief Physiotherapist at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, she leads a team dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care. Beyond her clinical role, she is committed to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals, nurturing the same values of leadership and advocacy instilled in her by SMU.
Her success inspires the healthcare community and highlights SMU’s pivotal role in shaping leaders who make a global impact. Through individuals like Rapoo, SMU continues to shine as a beacon of excellence, producing healthcare professionals who are catalysts for positive change.
