Medical Informatics and Education

07/10/2024

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀
This month always hits close to home for me. We lost two beautiful souls in our family, my stepmom and her daughter, to breast cancer many years ago. They were loved so deeply and are missed every day. I’ve also known incredible nursing colleagues who bravely fought and won the battle against breast cancer, and sadly, others who fought just as hard but lost their lives to this relentless disease. 💖

To anyone who is currently fighting this battle, my heart, hugs, and prayers are with you. Your courage inspires us all, and you are never alone on this journey. 💝

It’s a crucial reminder for all of us to prioritize our health. Please, take a moment to assess your breasts frequently—awareness and early detection save lives. Regular self-exams are vital, and knowing what’s normal for your body can make all the difference. 🩷

For mammograms, experts recommend starting them between ages 40 and 50, depending on your risk factors. For most, it’s advised to have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years, but please consult your healthcare provider for the best screening plan for you.

Let’s use this month to honor those we’ve lost, celebrate the survivors, and encourage everyone to take proactive steps for their health. 🌸

05/10/2024

Do you agree with Mark Sham and me that Cape Town is, without a doubt, the best place and city on earth? 🌍😅

This video captured by Mark and his incredible team beautifully showcases why I call this city home. 🏡 From the vibrant food scene, warm and welcoming people, and breathtaking nature, to the stunning beaches, hikes, and unforgettable sunsets — Cape Town truly has it all. 👭🌮🍑🥾🌅🌇🌊👙⛱️☀️

Check out the video and see why I love it here! ❤️🇿🇦 https://youtu.be/8btv-eCw900

Cape Town has been voted the "Best City in the World" and we want to show you why! You might say this video is a love letter to Cape Town. That’s fine with u...

04/10/2024

🌟This week's Spotlight focuses on Suzette Ferreira! (Not my own words 😊, Women in Tech words) 🌟
I am beyond honored and grateful to be spotlighted by WOMEN IN TECH ® Global! Being recognized for my journey from a nurse clinician to a HealthTech startup founder with Proto Care (Pty) Ltd is truly special. The mentorship and support I’ve received through this community have been pivotal in shaping my path, and I can’t thank the Women in Tech Team enough for this recognition. Link: https://lnkd.in/gFBRJUDQ

If you're a woman looking to make an impact in tech, I highly encourage you to join this incredible platform. Whether you're just starting out or looking for guidance on your next step, the Women in Tech Mentorship Program connects you with experienced leaders who are ready to support you on your journey.

🏁 Start Your Journey: Sign up for the Women in Tech Mentorship Program today. Believe me, it’s worth it! 🚀Link to join: https://lnkd.in/g7Ff3zWa

To all the aspiring women in HealthTech—don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here to help you navigate your way and find success in this transformative field. Let’s continue to uplift and inspire one another!

P.S. Do remember, this mentorship membership came to me by surprise when I won a Women in Tech South Africa startup pitch! 🎉 So, when you get the chance to pitch—PITCH! And when you get the chance to join a mentorship program as a mentee or a mentor, jump in and say YES because it is absolutely worth it!

💃❤️

21/09/2024

For those of you that missed the Nursing Empowerment Summit or wanted to attend but couldn’t, here’s what you missed 🎉

The event was a remarkable day of inspiration, learning, and celebration, bringing together healthcare professionals to explore the future of nursing in South Africa 🇿🇦. From powerful discussions on Nursing Informatics 💻, entrepreneurship 🚀, and digital transformation 🔄 to practical workshops 📚 and emotional reunions with old colleagues 🤗, it was a transformative experience.

A special musical moment 🎶 featured the gospel song written by Suzette Ferreira, "Under The Umbrella of Your Love" ☂️, which touched everyone’s hearts. The event placed a strong emphasis on leadership, mentorship, and empowerment 🙌, reminding nurses of the crucial role they play in shaping healthcare’s future.

Check out the full story of this incredible day ✨, the insights shared 💡, and the exciting plans for future summits 🚀!


https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/very-first-step-towards-empowering-nurses-healthcare-through-suzette-qd8kf

16/09/2024

🌟 Sponsor Shout-Out: Mediclinic Vereeniging & Emfuleni 🌟

A massive thank you to Mediclinic Vereeniging and Mediclinic Emfuleni in Vanderbijlpark for their incredible support of the Nursing Empowerment Summit and the local nursing community! 💙

Your commitment to this event has been truly amazing, from sending your dedicated nursing leaders to join our panel discussions, to ensuring your local nurses are present to benefit from a day of inspiration, learning, and growth. We’re also incredibly grateful for the 20 goodie bags you’ve so generously prepared.🎁

With both hospitals coming together to support this initiative, it’s a beautiful example of community and healthcare professionals empowering one another for the future of nursing. 🚀

Thank you, Mediclinic Vereeniging and Mediclinic Emfuleni, for helping make this event a reality and for your continued dedication to nurturing the nursing profession in our region. We are excited to welcome your teams to the event and look forward to celebrating this day with all of you!

💪 Nursing Empowerment Summit 💪
This event is all about giving back to our nursing community, introducing Healthcare Informatics, and empowering nurses to take charge of their futures. Haven’t registered yet? Sign up today!
👉 https://qkt.io/eWxe9W 👈

P.S. Stay tuned for more sponsor shout-outs as we continue to celebrate the amazing companies supporting this important initiative. You don’t want to miss it! 🎉

13/09/2024

🌟 Sponsor Shout-Out: MANCOSA 🌟

We are beyond thrilled to have MANCOSA’s School of Healthcare as a key sponsor for our Nursing Empowerment Summit! 🎉 MANCOSA has generously offered 5 incredible short courses as prizes, which will be gifted to 5 lucky winners during our raffle. 🎟️

These courses are truly game-changers for healthcare professionals, focusing on “Digitalising Administration in Healthcare: Modern Practices.” 📊🩺

Delivered through MANCOSA’s skillME eLearning platform, the course is packed with high-impact microlearning, interactive content, and assessments, all designed to equip healthcare workers with the latest skills to digitise administrative processes. And the cherry on top? These courses are CPD accredited by the South African Medical Association for 3 clinical points and come with blockchain-backed certificates! 🌐💻

About This Course:
This self-paced course explores technological tools and platforms, covering essential topics like Electronic Health Records (EHR), telehealth, data security, and much more! Imagine how this can transform not just your practice but healthcare as a whole.

Course Modules include:

1. Introduction to digitalizing administration in healthcare
2. Electronic health records and health information exchange
3. Data security and privacy in digital administration
4. Telehealth and remote patient monitoring
5. Streamlining administrative workflows
6. Change management and training
7. Evaluating and optimizing digital administrative systems (DAS)
8. Ethical considerations in DAH
9. Case studies and best practices
10. Future trends and innovations in DAH

These skills are more relevant than ever before in a digital-first world, helping healthcare professionals streamline processes, improve patient care, and stay ahead of the curve.

🌟 Additional Benefits:

• Accessible 24/7 📅
• Interactive & gamified content 🎮
• CPD Points: 3 (Clinical)
• Blockchain certificate 💼

A huge THANK YOU to MANCOSA for their generosity and support in empowering our nurses with the tools to thrive in the healthcare landscape of tomorrow! 🙏 Let’s give them a massive shout-out for making this event even more special! 🎉

✨ Don’t miss your chance to win one of these powerful courses by sharing your thoughts and creating buzz around the event on social media! Register now: https://qkt.io/eWxe9W and get ready for an inspiring day! 🩺💡

10/09/2024

🌟 Come Win with Us at the Nursing Empowerment Summit! 🌟
We’ve got some exciting prizes lined up for you at the Nursing Empowerment Summit, and we’re keeping things fun and interactive throughout the day! Here’s how you can join in the fun and stand a chance to win:
🎟 Lucky Draw Throughout the Day:
After each panel discussion or session, we’ll have a quick raffle for a prize! Everyone will receive a number upon arrival, and winners will be randomly selected to keep the energy high and the excitement going.

📸 Best Event Photo Challenge:
Capture your best moments at the event and share them on social media! Post your photos and tag me so I can see your amazing creativity. Categories include “Most Creative Photo" and "Best Team Photo".

💻📱 Social Media Awareness Prize:
Want to create some buzz? The person who creates the most awareness of the event on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or X will win a special prize! Just remember to tag me and use the event hashtag so I can track your efforts. My profiles are:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzette-ferreira-a3002058
X: https://lnkd.in/d63gEPnA
Insta: https://lnkd.in/d-7NZ9jw

🤖🩺 AI-Generated Image Prize:
Inspired by my Digital Divas win 💃, we’re adding a fun twist! Create an AI-generated image about the Nursing Empowerment Summit, share it on social media, and tag me along with the event link. Get creative, and let’s celebrate the future of healthcare innovation while spreading the word about this exciting event!

📣 Ready to join the fun? Sign up now and be part of this empowering, prize-filled day! Register here: https://qkt.io/eWxe9W

✨ Starting tomorrow, I’ll be revealing the amazing companies that have generously sponsored these incredible gifts, so stay tuned!

Image Credit: Think you can top this image of mine, generously generated by my BFF ChatGPT 🤖😉✨

P.S. The fun officially starts now!!! We'll be keeping a close eye on everyone who creates buzz around the event, starting today! So, get your social media game on and start sharing those AI-generated pics, spreading the word, and tagging me to join in on the excitement! Let’s make some noise! 🎉📸✨

03/09/2024

Dear FaceBook Friends, Vereeniging, VDBP, Sasolburg, Jozi Friends and all Nursing Friends

I’m reaching out to share some exciting news and to ask for your support in spreading the word about an upcoming event that’s very close to my heart—a Nursing Empowerment Summit on September 17th in Vereeniging.

You might be wondering, “Why Vereeniging and not beautiful Cape Town?” Vereeniging is where I completed my nursing studies, and it’s a place that has greatly influenced my journey. This summit is my way of giving back to the community that shaped me, and I’m eager to bring together nurses and healthcare professionals from across the region for a day of learning, growth, and empowerment.

In addition to the insightful discussions and networking opportunities, we will also be launching my recently published book, Health Information Systems. And here’s something you might not know about me—I’m also a gospel songwriter. I’m thrilled to announce that my very first song will be released on the day of the summit and will be performed live by a well-known South African singer.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could share this event with any nursing staff or healthcare professionals interested in Healthcare Informatics who might benefit from attending. It’s going to be a day filled with inspiration, connection, and celebration, and I would love to have as many people as possible join us.

Thank you so much for your support!

The Nursing Empowerment Summit: Workshop on Nursing Informatics and Professional Growth is a groundbreaking event dedicated to advancing the careers of nurses and healthcare professionals in South Africa. This full-day summit, held at The Barnyard in Vereeniging, is designed to empower attendees wit...

20/08/2024

Who should read our 📕 Health Information Systems in Nursing?

In this video, I dive into who will benefit the most from reading our book, Health Information Systems in Nursing. Whether you’re an undergraduate nursing student, a practicing nurse, or a healthcare professional keen on embracing digital health and nursing informatics, this book is tailored for you.

Stay tuned for follow-up videos where I’ll dive into each chapter, sharing insights on how this book can deepen your understanding of health informatics and equip you for the future of healthcare. Don’t miss the chance to become e-savvy and elevate your practice in the digital age!

Chapters covered in the book:
• Chapter 1: Introduction to Health Informatics
• Chapter 2: Technology Evaluation and Utilisation
• Chapter 3: Information Technology Project Management
• Chapter 4: Change Management
• Chapter 5: Data Analytics and Database Management
• Chapter 6: Clinical Information Systems
• Chapter 7: Telehealth, AI, eHealth
• Chapter 8: E-learning in Health Informatics
• Chapter 9: Health Informatics and Ethics

Those of you who are interested in reading the book 📖 Health Information Systems in Nursing, it is available 👉 https://bit.ly/3Igqf0K from Juta📕❤️🇿🇦


https://youtu.be/BhVyvQ-BQHY?si=Z-3b9IvaV6sI0_Ef

In this video, I dive into who will benefit the most from reading our book Health Information Systems. Whether you’re an undergraduate nursing student, a pr...

09/08/2024

My Very First YouTube Video: From Suzette, to All You Beautiful Ladies! ❤️

Hey everyone!

I’m super excited to share my very first YouTube video with you all! 🤩 It’s a special Women’s Day message from me, Suzette, to all the amazing women out there. 🌟

I’d love for you to check it out, and if you enjoy it, please give it a like to show your support! Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/Z92TkXnWwZI?feature=shared

Thank you for always being there for me on this journey. Sending lots of love and positivity your way! ❤️ 💃🌺💐

Cheers,
Suzette

In celebration of Women’s Day, I wanted to share a heartfelt message with all the incredible women out there. 🌸As women, we embody strength, resilience, and...

01/08/2024

1 August 1991 – the day I embarked on my nursing career. There is a saying: “A patient may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” This motto has guided me throughout my nursing journey, reminding me of the profound impact we have as nurses.

What a blessing it has been to be a nurse 👩‍⚕️. From the early days of working as an RN with specializations in general nursing, community nursing, psychiatry nursing, and midwifery, to being part of innovative health informatics projects across the globe 🌍, every step has been guided by God’s Grace.

In 2002, my journey led me to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2007 I fell in love with configuring EHRs and implementing Clinical Information Systems (CIS). This passion grew, taking me to Germany with the Philips team, and eventually led to founding Medical Informatics and Education, introducing CIS and EHR solutions to South Africa.

The proudest moment came when I founded Proto Care (Pty) Ltd, where we are pioneering preventative medicine and predictive analysis. Alongside this, recently commenced with mentoring women in HealthTech, especially through WOMEN IN TECH ® Global and OneUpOneDown has been incredibly fulfilling.

Through all the achievements, awards, innovations and publishing a nursing undergraduate academic book, my pride in being a nurse remains unwavering. Today, I thank God for guiding me into this beautiful profession, for every life touched, and for the opportunity to continue making a difference. 🙏

Attached is a throwback to when I still wore my nursing epaulettes. This pic was taken way back then, but who knows? I might just have to take them out of storage and start wearing them again now that I’m back in South Africa! 🇿🇦❤️

To my fellow nurses, remember: “A patient may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” This has been my guiding light and I hope it inspires you as you touch lives every day. 🙏❤️👩‍⚕️🩺🥼👨‍⚕️
❤️🤩👩‍⚕️

16/06/2024

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible fathers in 🇿🇦South Africa and around the world! 🌍 Today, we honor and celebrate the unwavering strength, wisdom, and love that fathers bring into our lives.

Although my father is no longer with me, he left me with invaluable lessons and a resilient spirit. He taught me that nothing is ever truly broken – EVERYTHING CAN BE FIXED with determination and creativity.

He was a master at fixing things, and his skills were truly remarkable. Back in 1982, when our Mercedes Benz engine gave us trouble, my dad decided not to get it fixed the usual way. Instead, he pulled the engine out by himself and replaced it with a new engine of his choice. We as a family drove that ‘Mercedes Benz’ for years, thanks to his incredible resourcefulness and determination.

His guidance continues to inspire me every day, reminding me of the profound impact a father’s love and wisdom can have.

Hugs from me down here, Pappa. I miss you, especially when I fix something or solve problems. Each time, I want to share it with you. I know you are nearby to witness it. 😇👨‍🔧💪❤️