CEO of McCord Hospital in South Africa Wins Award
Dr Helga Holst, CEO, McCord Hospital wins The Businesswomen’s Association Social Entrepreneur Award at its annual gala event held on 8 July at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban. The Businesswomen Association is the largest and most prominent association of business and professional women in South Africa, and the voice of women in business.
Durban, South Africa
Dr Helga Holst, CEO, McCord Hospital wins The Businesswomen’s Association Social Entrepreneur Award at its annual gala event held on 8 July at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban. The Businesswomen Association is the largest and most prominent association of business and professional women in South Africa, and the voice of women in business.
Dr Holst was a finalist along with Dr Helena Fitchat, Centre for Rehabilitations of Wildlife and Mrs. Judy Van Den Heever, Focus on iThemba for the most prestigious award of the evening.
The award is bestowed on a woman who embodies the following qualifications: Three or more years in the company that they work with/for. Control of the budget and proof that the organization is financially sustainable. Evidence of applying practical, innovative and sustainable approaches to benefit society, including direct social impact and scale of projects and initiatives. Unique approach to economic and social problems, to show an approach that cuts across sectors and disciplines, grounded in certain values and processes that are common to each social. Nominated by colleague Mrs. Margaret Kruger, Owner, Marisk Management Services, and a former winner herself in the Emerging Entrepreneur category, Dr Holst was recognized for her long and distinguished years of service, which spans more than 35 years.
Dr Holst has served as the CEO of McCord Hospital for more than fifteen years. McCord is currently celebrating its centennial year with the main celebratory event held from 1st to 3rd May 2009.
During her tenure, outpatient services at McCord have doubled from an average of 8,648 patients per month in 2003 to an average of 15,000 visits per month in 2009 and a very successful, internationally recognized HIV programme that to date, has cared for more than 17,000 patients. Under Dr Holst´s leadership, the hospital is strengthening its infrastructure to support its vision for the next 100 years.
“I am honoured and deeply humbled by the recognition as it was completely unexpected. I feel so blessed to lead a hospital that I love so much with an incredible team of doctors, nurses, and administrators who are fully committed to each and every patient served”, said Dr. Helga Holst. McCord Hospital is a Christian faith based organisation that has consistently provided high quality, non- discriminatory and cost-effective health care services to the under- served sectors of the population in the greater eThekwini region. Dr Holst serves as its sixth Medical Superitendent/CEO.
In addition to her work at McCord, Dr. Holst was recognized for her accomplishments while serving as the Medical Superintendent of Emmaus Hospital, in the Drakensberg. She was instrumental in rebuilding 60% of the hospital, establishing eight community clinics, an active community-based TB programme and increased the number of medical staff to better serve its patients. Please join the Board of Directors, hospital staff, friends, and supporters in congratulating an extraordinary leader worthy of this recognition and so much more. About Businesswomen Association Through strategic partnerships with sponsors, non-profit organisations, leading companies, business schools and international associations, it provides ongoing opportunities to advance the interests of women in business. Members include entrepreneurs, professionals and senior decision makers. Both men and women are welcome to join the Association. To learn more, please visit www.bwasa.co.za