Dr Angeli van Veyeren, a well-known dentist in the Overstrand, is about to retire and bid farewell to her colleagues at Hermanus CDC after 38 years’ service.
She started working as a dentist in the Overstrand in December 1987, after starting her career in Johannesburg three years before. Over the years she has worked in the Dental Unit at Hermanus CDC while doing weekly outreaches to all clinics in the Overstrand and assisting with dental procedures at Hermanus Hospital. She is known as a kind and caring professional who is passionate about serving her community.
According to Dr Jannie Mouton, Clinical Manager in the Overstrand, Van Veyeren has been an extremely hardworking and dedicated public servant for many years.
“Her character portrays loyalty and integrity, and she has played a vital role in the dental services of the Overstrand,” he said. “Despite serious health challenges she continued to serve the public as long and well as was possible.”
For Van Veyeren working in the public sector has been fulfilling. “I do not think working in the private sector would have shaped me as much as working in the public sector has because the greatest need is in the community,” she stated.
Working in the Overstrand community has opened her eyes to the need for services and education. She said although she has done her best to educate adults and children she understands life is difficult and oral health not always a priority.
“The saddest thing about leaving is no longer being able to fulfil my need to help others and relieve their pain,” Van Veyeren shared.
This remarkable woman added that if she could do it all over again she wouldn’t change a thing.
Asked what she planned to do when she retired at the end of September, she said with a big smile she would be back to locum and help where she can.
The thing her colleagues in the dental unit admired most about her is the holistic view of her patients. Says dental nurse Melissa Lodewyk: “If Doctor notices the patient has another medical problem or picks up from the file that the patient had defaulted on medication, she will accompany them to the acute or chronic section of the clinic to ensure they are seen and she encourages myself and the rest of the colleagues to do the same. She has on more than one occasion taken patients to the hospital to ensure that they access the necessary care.”
“We are extremely grateful for Dr van Veyeren’s longstanding and dedicated service over many years,” Mouton said, “it was a pleasure knowing her and working with her, and we will certainly miss her dedicated service.
“We wish her all the best with her retirement and sincerely hope she will enjoy many healthy and joyous days to come with many grandchildren to spoil.”
