DR Dean Andre Van Der Westhuizen

Early Medical Training and Innovations

Dean began his medical training at the University of Cape Town, completing his MBChB in 2009. During his internship and community service years at Victoria Hospital and Retreat CHC, he distinguished himself by developing a pioneering e-prescription tool that was later implemented in clinics across the Western Cape. This work was acknowledged by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and published in Health Innovators Review. He also played a lead role in the paediatric ward renovation project at Victoria Hospital and built the hospital’s first website — early signs of his dual interests in systems innovation and patient care.

Experience at Kimberley Hospital Complex

In 2013, Dr van der Westhuizen joined Kimberley Hospital Complex, initially in general surgery and later as a medical officer in ophthalmology. Under the mentorship of Dr Kenneth Hornby, Dr Margot Steenkamp, and Prof Andries Stulting, he gained extensive surgical experience and developed his interest in retinal disease. During this time, he participated in cataract outreach missions (“Blind Tours”) across underserved areas of the Northern Cape. His clinical performance earned him the Geoff Howes Medal for the highest mark in the national Diploma in Ophthalmology examination.

Registrar Training at Groote Schuur Hospital

He was later accepted as a registrar in ophthalmology at Groote Schuur Hospital, where he trained under leading subspecialists in cataract, retina, cornea, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and paediatric ophthalmology. His MMed thesis, awarded with distinction, validated a low-cost retinal surgical simulator — an important contribution to surgical education and accessibility. He further refined his skills in retina under the mentorship of Dr James Rice and Dr Jonel Stefan.

Current Practice in Nelspruit

Dr. Dean van der Westhuizen took over the Nelspruit Eye Institute in 2020 alongside Dr. Morgan Hayes, succeeding Dr. Danie Louw and Dr. Carl Wilms. They were privileged to continue the remarkable legacy first established by Dr. Roelie van Rooyen, Dr. Louw, and Dr. Wilms, who laid the foundation for over five decades of trusted eye care in the Lowveld.

Together with Dr. Hayes, Dr. van der Westhuizen transformed the Nelspruit Eye Institute from a traditional, paper-based practice into a fully digital, paperless system. This pioneering shift drew interest from practices across South Africa, who visited to learn from the institute’s innovative workflows, digital infrastructure, and efficiency gains.

From early 2020, Dr. van der Westhuizen committed himself to a bold vision: developing a state-of-the-art, purpose-built eye hospital that could serve as a flagship for ophthalmic care in the country. He has been instrumental in securing licensing, guiding both clinical and architectural design, and drawing on international and South African benchmarks to shape what is now becoming the Lowveld Eye Institute – a centre dedicated to integrated and future-focused eye care.

Surgical Achievements and Publications

A confident and accomplished retinal surgeon, Dr van der Westhuizen has performed hundreds of advanced vitreoretinal procedures, and co-authored a publication in Retinal Cases & Brief Reports describing a novel, low-cost “modified lasso” technique for removing intraocular foreign bodies.

Leadership in Health Innovation and Technology

Alongside his surgical practice, Dr van der Westhuizen is a medical technologist and thought leader in health innovation. He is actively involved in the development of electronic medical record systems integrated with GoodX, and is helping pioneer AI-assisted data solutions for South African ophthalmology. He also advised on the rollout of Topcon Harmony — an imaging integration platform — and continues to provide user insights for South African practices.

Ophthalmic Management Group and Professional Development

He is a director of the Ophthalmic Management Group (OMG) and the pioneer behind the OMG Private Practice Toolkit, which he leads and organizes. The Toolkit is designed to support ophthalmologists transitioning into private practice, equipping them with the skills to build strong, efficient practices through training in business strategy, coding, ethics, and administration. He also regularly speaks at CPD events, business weekends, GoodX conferences, and both regional and national forums on practice optimisation, digital workflows, and private practice strategy.

Personal Life and Interests

Outside the clinic – when not in theatre or consulting with patients – Dean finds clarity and perspective in South Africa’s wild spaces. Based in Nelspruit to stay close to the bushveld, he’s a passionate landscape photographer, drone videographer, and overland adventurer. His free time is often spent fly fishing, camping, or tackling remote 4×4 trails with his family. One of his greatest joys is exploring off-road trails on a motorbike with his young son – a shared adventure that blends freedom, skill, and trust.

Dean is also a committed technology enthusiast, constantly weaving the latest innovations into both his lifestyle and his ophthalmic practice. Whether building custom digital workflows or planning a route into a remote corner of Mozambique, he thrives on precision, preparation, and creative problem-solving.

At his core, Dean is deeply family-focused. He and his wife – an anaesthetist – are raising their children with a spirit of curiosity, resilience, and exploration. These same values shape his approach in the operating theatre: calm, attentive, and fully invested in achieving the best possible outcome for every patient.