About Dr Smit

Dr Smit is very passionate about minimal invasive surgery. After completing his training as a specialist surgeon at the University of Pretoria, he worked for 4 years in a high-volume bariatric surgery unit to train as bariatric surgeon. He has also worked alongside Dr Francois Schutte, a very experienced upper GIT and bariatric surgeon, to learn the art of gastric and esophageal surgery.

He is also married and has 3 boys. In his spare time, he loves to go on overlanding explorations with his family. He is also a very keen cyclist and avid cricket fan.

Outcomes explained
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Education and qualifications

Matriculated in 1996 from Grey College
MB.,Ch.B. (University of the Free State, 2003)
Fellowship in the College of Surgeons of SA (2011)
M.Med. (Surg) ( University of Pretoria, 2011)

Affiliations and roles

SAMMSS

Dr Smit is currently the General Secretary of SAMMSS and is proud to be a registered proctor for SAMMSS. The bariatric surgery unit at ZAH is currently one of 3 accredited training centers where he is involved in training and accrediting multidisciplinary teams to perform bariatric surgery according to world standards.

SASES

Dr Smit is a member of SASES. The SASES Society was established to promote high standards of endoscopic surgery in South Africa. It will disseminate knowledge and training via academic meetings, training courses and sponsorships.

Surgicom

As a board member of Surgicom, Dr Smit is involved in working with all the relevant role players in private practice in SA, to ensure that general surgery and bariatric surgery remains sustainable and cost effective and continues to provide a very necessary service in the private health care sector in SA.

The African Surgery Academy

ASA was founded with the aim of helping and training young specialists to set up and run their practices once they are qualified. Currently specialists are not exposed to the business side of private practice. ASA works to assist and guide young specialists to get to their feet. Dr Smit is the founder and director of ASA. 

BSI Deep Health

BSI Deep Health was founded through a partnership between surgeons and technology experts and has developed software that aims to improve surgical outcomes in SA and Africa through the use of technology and AI.They are currently driving a long term study with various partners looking at whether AI and machine learning can be used to improve surgical outcomes. Dr Smit was one of the founders and is currently still the clinical director of BSI Deep Health.

The Innovation in Surgery Foundation

The ISF is a non for profit company which was founded to assist and fund surgical training and research. They are currently supporting multiple research and training initiatives all aiming to improve the level of surgical training and research in SA and Africa. Dr Smit is the founder and currently serves on the board of directors. 

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Dr Smit is a part time consultant in the department of surgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University where he is involved in the training of young surgeons and fellows in bariatric and upper GIT surgery.

IPIM

The Innovative Perioperative Information Management Network was established by Prof Hyla Klutys. They consist of a group of clinicians from various backgrounds that are looking for ways to use data to improve patient care.

AIS Channel

AIS Channel is currently the biggest online training platform in the world for the training surgeons. They believe in the democratization of knowledge. Dr Smit is currently an ambassador for AIS Channel in SA.