Freek Bester MBChB (UOFS), M MED (INT, UOFS), FCP (SA)

Dr Bester worked as Intern and Medical (and research) Officer at Pelonomi and Universitas Hospitals with the Department of Internal Medicine. During this time involved with Epidemiological research amongst Elderly Blacks. He was also instrumental in the development of many elderly care services in Bloemfontein. Special academic interests are Geriatrics, Gastro-enterology, Rheumatology, Pulmonology and Cardiology. Hobbies: Computers, aviation (PPL), cycling, music, stock exchange, Paintball, Bonsmara cattle. He also obtained extensive knowledge on Emotional intelligence and held several workshops for corporate groups on this subject.

Started specializing in Internal Medicine in 1990 at Free State University and successfully completed M.MED and FCP examinations during 1993. Registered as Specialist Physician January 1994. Currently in private practice and part-time consultant at the medical school in Bloemfontein. He was the honorary president-elect of the local branch of South African Medical Association twice and serve on the EXCO of SAMA for the last 10 years. He also served on several advisory bodies for pharmaceutical companies during the last 15 years and also is an EXCO member of the Faculty of Consulting Physicians of South Africa (FCPSA). During 2012 he was invited to serve on the Strategic Advisory Committee of the MRC Medical Device Innovation Platform. In this positions Dr Bester obtained extensive experience in the field of health and health economics.