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New Kingswood resident Dr Dané van den Berg is a long-time George local who recently returned to the town where her parents and grandparents still live, and where she now shares her extensive healthcare experience with patients young and old.
When chatting to Dané van den Berg, it’s clear that this doctor is not just passing through. Having lived in George since her parents moved here in 2006, she matriculated at Outeniqua Hoërskool and is proud to be an ‘old Kwagga’. Initially moving to the Free State for her medical studies, this is also where she first bumped into her now better half; then fast forward to 2023, when their young family moved back to George in August last year.
‘I’ve spent the last 10 years in Bloemfontein, where I gained experience in military and private medicine as well as casualties, and the physical rehabilitation of post-op patients or those who had suffered strokes.’ She says that working with everything from military to private casualties was a very worthwhile learning curve. ‘My qualifications now include not only what normal GPs would do, but also advanced trauma, advanced New Kingswood resident Dr Dané van den Berg is a long-time George local who recently returned to the town where her parents and grandparents still live, and where she now shares her extensive healthcare experience with patients young and old. When chatting to Dané van den Berg, it’s clear that this doctor is not just passing through.
Having lived in George since her parents moved here in 2006, she matriculated at Outeniqua Hoërskool and is proud to be an ‘old Kwagga’. Initially moving to the Free State for her medical studies, this is also where she first bumped into her now better half; then fast forward to 2023, when their young family moved back to George in August last year. ‘I’ve spent the last 10 years in Bloemfontein, where I gained experience in military and private medicine as well as casualties, and the physical rehabilitation of post-op patients or those who had suffered strokes.’ She says that working with everything from military to private casualties was a very worthwhile learning curve. ‘My qualifications now include not only what normal GPs would do, but also advanced trauma, advanced
Working within a team
Soon after settling in George, Dané got involved at Groenkloof’s physical rehab centre, where she’s the doctor in charge of patients who had endured strokes, spinal surgery, knee or hip replacements and the like. ‘I’m supported by a whole team of therapists – from physio to occupational, social and speech therapists. Together, we focus on our patients’ physical rehabilitation and aim for full recovery.’
She does her rounds in the morning before heading to her practice at 27 on York, across the road from Virgin Active. ‘My rooms are in the gym’s previous building, which I now share with Discovery and other offices. At Groenkloof, we are a team and I can live out my passion of caring for older people; in my practice, I’m committed to women’s and children’s health, but also the entire family’s wellbeing.’ One-stop shop, non-stop ideals Although she does ‘all the normal GP stuff’ at her practice, Dané strives to turn her 27 on York premises into a onestop shop for all your healthcare needs. Think: Mom with sick kids being examined, and getting a quick filler at the same time.
‘And if grandma comes along not feeling 100%, I can take care of her ailments as well.’ Dané adds that her accident and trauma training allows her to have all the necessary drips on hand – essential for patients suffering gastro, dehydration or an iron deficiency, but also vitamin boost drips. Other services include wound care and suturing, pap smears and breast examinations, drawing blood and ECGs. ‘There’s a procedure room for monitoring and I also do Vitality health tests and medical insurance examinations. My aim is to offer the full range of treatments to save patients from driving all over town.’
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Personal touch
One of the biggest factors that sets Dané’s practice apart is the personal service provided: you don’t step into this space and see a different doctor each time. ‘I walk a personal and unique path with the patient. Come and see me for a personal consultation, or for as long as we need to address everything from A to Z, to fix everything that bugs.’ Dané also does virtual appointments, on condition that she’d already seen the patient in the flesh. ‘After the first meeting, I can do telephone consultations for patients who are sick at home. But everything else can be addressed at my rooms. ‘It’s a personal journey where we look physically and emotionally at all aspects of your health. Whether it’s growth development for kids or the treatment of allergies, my mission is to help whole families to be as healthy as possible and to feel as good as humanly possible.’
Nothing flat about Kingswood
The Van den Bergs love their home at the Oval with its extensive views of the mighty Outeniquas. ‘Looking out on the mountains every day at Kingswood is just wonderful. What’s more, the estate is so close to town and just a five-minute drive to my practice. ‘It’s safe and family-friendly, so in the evenings we can go cycling and walking with our kids – a boy aged four, and three-year-old girl – with all these beautiful views as backdrop. We just love living there! I’ve been playing golf since school days, and so has my husband, so we hope to get back onto the course when the kids are a little older.’ Apart from being ‘Dad’, Dané’s husband JJ farms with sheep, cattle and crops.
Her parents still live in George and her mom works as an auditor in the same building as Dané’s practice at 27 on York. ‘My grandparents live at Blue Mountain and it’s a huge privilege to be so close to so many members of our family. We feel blessed to be a part of this special George community.’ Get hold of Dr Dané van den Berg on 044 110 0307 or at admin@drvandenberg.net or pop in at her 27 York Street health hub.
