Dr’s Carine Gagiono and Menasia Patterson joined the MMed (Psychiatry) programme in August 2022.
Dr. Gagiano completed her BCur (Nursing) degree at Stellenbosch University (SU) in 2007. She soon realized that she wanted to be a doctor so she applied for MBChB 4 years consecutively at SU. In 2013 she completed her MBChB at SU, and completed her internship and community service in Mpumalanga.
From 2016 – July 2022, Dr. Gagiano worked at George Regional Hospital of which the last 3.5 years were in Psychiatry. Dr. Gagiano developed a keen interest in Psychiatry as a student and has been intrigued and stimulated by this field ever since. “I enjoy the meaningful interaction with patients this field offers and value the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those marginalized and stigmatized by society. Psychiatry is challenging, fascinating, and rewarding.”
Dr. Patterson’s love for psychiatry started while doing her undergraduate training at the University of Cape Town, “I was always fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind!”
After completing her MBChB, she worked in primary, district, and tertiary hospital settings in Cape Town, while completing her internship and community service. But, while working at Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital for 3 years as a medical officer in psychiatry, ad obtaining my Diploma in Mental Health during that period, that’s where my love for psychiatry really blossomed and became a passion. While working in the community of Mitchell’s Plain I heard stories of the hardships and challenges facing this community, but also witnessed the strength and resilience of the human spirit. “In psychiatry, we cannot always cure, but we can always try to comfort and this resonates with me as a person.”
During my training I will continue to be an advocate for people with mental illness, provide education to help combat the stigma which still surrounds mental illness, and always be willing to offer an empathetic ear. After, completion of my post-graduate degree, I would like to sub-specialise in Forensic Psychiatry.