Cape Town - Dr Bhavna Patel is the new CEO of Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, the Western Cape health department said on Thursday.
Department spokeswoman Helene Rossouw said Patel's appointment followed the departure of Dr Terence Carter earlier this year.
Patel has been the hospital's chief operating officer since January 2011. Between 2005 and 2010, she was the medical senior services manager at the hospital. Prior to that, she was a University of Cape Town registrar.
She holds two masters degrees - one in family medicine from the University of Stellenbosch and one in bio-ethics and health law from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is also a registered specialist in family medicine and public health.
Western Cape health MEC Theuns Botha congratulated Patel at the hospital on Friday.
“In the past eight years, as medical manager and as chief of operations, she has acquired practical experience in the management of the hospital.
“She is fit for purpose, and the provincial cabinet is proud to make this appointment. I wish her the best for this new challenge,” Botha said.
Patel said she was honoured to take up the position.
“I will endeavour to uphold the proud legacy of the hospital within the Western Cape department of health and will continue to improve the quality healthcare we provide to the population of the Western Cape and beyond.” - Sapa