Lodox interviews forensic pathologist Dr Linda Liebenberg as part of their #WomenInHealth series commemorating the work of South African female health-care professionals, with the aim of inspiring more young women to join the sciences and health-care professions, and was first published online by Stef Steiner on 1 September 2014.
Dr Linda Liebenberg - “This is not a day job, it’s a profession. There is always more to be done.”
Dr Liebenberg aptly describes her typical day-at-the-office as both “mad and deadly”.
Qualified with an MBChB degree in Forensic Medicine and a masters degree in Forensic Pathology, Linda has spent 14 years studying to reach her current joint appointment as Senior Forensic Pathologist at the Western Cape Department of Health and as an academic lecturer at the University of Cape Town. Dr Liebenberg gained her qualifications from the schools of Medicine at the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town.
What does a typical day look like for you? What do you do in your work hours?
My work at the Department of Health is spread over service delivery: completing forensic autopsies; compiling reports for court; testifying in court; police consultation and visiting crime sites. I teach both under-graduate and post-graduate students at the University of Cape Town, and conduct ongoing research.
What attracted you to the work you do? Why did you enter this field?
My first attraction was to Anatomical Pathology and when I stumbled into Forensic Pathology, I was hooked. Apart from medicine, it combines a large number of disciplines, as well as practical application. Through forensic pathology I have and can gain knowledge of a human before they are born, and long after their death.
Who inspires you? Who is your hero?
I am inspired by the rare case that actually works out, and being able to give a family clarity on how a family member died.
My hero is any police officer who does their job despite the challenges and who is still dedicated to their jobs 100%. Committed police work inspires me.
What was your biggest challenge to getting to where you are today in your career?
My biggest challenge was realizing the number of hours, years and the amount of money I have had to put into training. This continues to be a challenge to me as a professional.
What do you think is the biggest health challenge in Africa?
Drugs, alcohol, malnutrition, as well as a lack of both facilities and health-care professionals. Our systems cannot accommodate the current need. There is an imbalance between supply and demand. We have a reckless society characterized by road accidents and domestic violence, which takes up billions [of rands] of government money which could be used to help prevent disease and find cures.
What motivates you and keeps you going/striving for more?
I am faced with something interesting, daily, I’m never bored. I strive for getting the answers right.
Do you have any advice for young women entering a career in medicine?
You can do it!
When I started medicine, in my first year, a lot of people kept asking me what I will do in my second year. I proved to them that I am capable!
Also, it’s important to remember that medicine is not the glamour that you see on television.
What do you do for fun or to de-stress?
I garden, read a lot and watch forensic television series like ‘Body of Proof’.
Read up more on the work of Dr Liebenberg and her colleagues at the Salt River Morgue: http://mg.co.za/article/2014-05-01-tales-from-the-morgue
Tags: forensic pathology
