Black women blaze trail in nuclear medicine
Two doctors want to inspire others to join speciality
Two specialist doctors in nuclear medicine are putting women on the map.
Dr Kgomotso Mokoala and Dr Letjie Maserumule, who both graduated recently from the University of Pretoria and work at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Tshwane, are part of a small community of nuclear medical officers in the country.
Mokoala, 38, has been recognised as the first black woman in SA to graduate with a PhD in nuclear medicine.
According to Mokoala, there are less than 50 nuclear medical specialists in the country.
Nuclear medicine is a speciality that allows doctors to use imaging to target diseases such as prostate cancer using small amounts of radioactive substances.
“I was raised by a single mom who was a nurse. I don’t think she had to do a lot of pushing for me to go into medicine, I have always wanted to do medicine,” said Mokoala.
The mother of two from Kgabalatsane in North West said she had to study for 12 years at university to reach her level of education.
“When I was doing the PhD I was just doing something I have always wanted.
“It’s a personal gain, but when I hear I’m the first black woman to do it in the field it’s amazing,” she said.
She hopes that her success will open doors for more women.
“Mentorship is something that I enjoy; I think it’s something I’ve always wanted.
“I am currently in an organisation called WinSA, which means Women in Nuclear SA, so mentoring and mentorship is really something I’m passionate about,” said Mokoala.
Meanwhile, Mokoala’s mentee Maserumule has graduated with distinction for a Master’s degree in nuclear medicine and hopes to enrol for a PhD next year.
The 33-year-old from Mohlaotone village in Limpopo was awarded best student to qualify as a nuclear medicine specialist and won the NTP Award from the National Examination Body for Specialists, Colleges of Medicine of SA.
“I don’t remember a time when I did not want to study medicine.
“I originally wanted to go into obstetrics but it is a very busy field and I wanted to be a present mother and wife,” she said. Maserumule, who is also a mother of two, said when she found out about nuclear medicine she decided to try it.
“Nuclear medicine is not a field that gets a lot of exposure, so not many student doctors are aware of it,” she said.
She has been studying for years and would get to work at 6am to study to get her distinction.
“Luckily, I have a lot of support from my husband and helper so I would come to work and study from 6am to 8am.
“When I got home in the afternoon that would be the time I spend with my family,” said Maserumule.
Maserumule said she hopes her success will inspire other young black girls and women to believe they can achieve anything.
“The main thing I lacked as a black girl was belief in myself. My achievement is an achievement for all of us,” she said.