Johannes Rudolph Rudolph Van Jaarsveld

I was fortunate to receive an exciting opportunity to work as Head Pharmacist under Dr. Jackie Thomson and Dr. Justin Du Toit, in collaboration with the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, as well as at Dr. Thomson’s private practice in Hazelwood, Pretoria. In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I also serve as the practice manager, where I have taken on a wide range of duties—including upskilling two pharmacists in chemotherapy protocols and supporting the coordination of stem cell transplants for eligible patients. I work closely with a multidisciplinary team of specialists to ensure seamless, high-quality patient care.

I am also a proud member of the South African Society of Oncology Pharmacists (SASOPh) committee, where I contribute to raising awareness and sharing treatment-related information with pharmacists across South Africa.

This role has further allowed me to participate in pioneering clinical research, including South Africa’s first-ever CAR NK cellular therapy trial.

Motivated to grow as a pharmacist, manager, and leader, I consistently seek out opportunities to lead teams, expand my expertise, and challenge myself beyond my comfort zone. My in-depth understanding of each team member’s role has enabled me to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency within the practice.

As a permanently appointed roaming pharmacist at Dis-Chem Oncology under the guidance of Ms. Ankia van Wyk and Mr. Charl Du Toit, I received specialized training in chemotherapy preparation and completed the internationally recognized Excellence in Oncology Pharmacy course.

My daily responsibilities involved traveling nationwide to various oncology practices, where I served as a stand-in mixing pharmacist. I was responsible for preparing chemotherapy regimens for both hematological and solid tumors, including pediatric cases. This role enhanced my adaptability and broadened my expertise, allowing me to quickly familiarize myself with different systems, protocols, and emerging medications.

During this time, I also obtained my Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification while contributing to clinical trials—an experience that deepened my understanding of oncology workflows and research practices.

This role significantly expanded my knowledge of chemotherapy agents and their side effects, while reinforcing the critical role pharmacists play in advancing patient care within South Africa's healthcare system.

I actively contributed to the compounding of pharmaceuticals at Idexis under the guidance of Ms. Suzanne Marais, specializing in the preparation of capsules, tablets, powders, ointments, gels, and intravenous formulations using both sterile and aseptic techniques.

As part of the management team, I was responsible for overseeing quality assurance to ensure consistently high production standards, timely delivery, and optimal efficiency. I supervised production lines, conducted regular staff training sessions, and played a key role in developing, maintaining, and improving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal system