Dr Maheesa Ismael Bhorat graduated summa cum laude as UKZN’s top medical student with an 87% aggregate.
“I am fully certain that the only reason I am where I am today, is because of the thousand-thread-count support system I have in my family and friends. They have and continue to cheer me on in all aspects of my life, and I certainly hope that I have done them proud,” said Bhorat.
Bhorat said she always wanted to be a doctor, which might have been, in part, due to the subliminal messaging of watching her father and four older siblings go into and excel in the medical field.
“In my heart, I knew this was what I wanted for myself. Knowledge is power, and I think there’s no greater privilege than being able to understand the intricacies of what our bodies go through to keep us alive. It’s incredibly humbling and truly fascinating.”
Beyond the Dean’s commendations and additional accolades, Bhorat said she believed that she was still in the infancy of her career.
“While I know that I would love to specialise in a field, I want to keep an open mind about what that field will be. There is something to be loved and learned about every specialty, hence, I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself to choose one now, before I have a chance to truly experience them as a practicing doctor,” said Bhorat.
She is currently a medical intern at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.