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John Gear (Class of 67) Gear

Profile Updated: February 15, 2022
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Currently Residing In:
Hoedspruit, Limpopo South Africa
Spouse/Partner:Who if any? Has your spouse/partner influenced your career path?
Joan (recently deceased), previously married to Anny Dryden Ward 12 Mosie Suzman. Joan was co-founder with me of the Wits Rural Facility
Children, Their Occupation, Significant Others and Grand-kids?
Sasha Director Just Detention International South Africa (daughter) born 1971
Fraser nature guide More…and ornithologist (son) born 1973
Luka Jo grandson 8 yrs old
Sandra Daughter-in-law tourism consultant
Specialty - when completed? What field? and where did you train? Did you change to another specialty or field.
Physician after brief stint as Medical Superintendent Johannesburg Gen then Public Health
Yes! Attending Reunion
In What Country(s) have you lived during your career?.

South Africa apart from 3 years in Oxford UK

Medical School Story:

Long!!
will build on this
Physician trained under Tom Bothwell, John Barlow Harry Seftel and others
Nuffield Research Fellow to Oxford University
First Full-time Professor and Head of Department of Community Health Wits 1979
Founding Director Wits Rural Facility now Wits Rural Campus 1989
Part-time consultant Health Systems Trust 1999
Part-time Consultant Physician Riverdsdale Hospital 2012
Medical Director Tshemba Foundation 2016 to date and still active

Did you get an additional degree and from where?

BSc (Medicine Wits 1963
Diplomas in Public Health 1972 and Tropical Medicine Wits (1979)
FCP(SA) 1974
DPhil Oxford (Epidemiology of Diverticular Disease) 1979

Honorary degrees: Fellowship ad Eundem Colleges of Medicine of SA 2011
DSc (Medicine) honoris causa Wits 2017

What was your first job after completing training?

Intern and then SHO posts followed by 18 months as a Medical Superintendent JHB Gen
then registrarship fololwed by Nuffield Fellowship to Oxford and back to Johannesburg as head of Community Health at Wits

Stayed in the same job, changed or moved on?.

Mentoring students and post grads
Founding Wits Rural
Regrets getting divorced and hurt that caused
Sad at number of colleagues who were lost to SA

In what way did a Wits medical education prepare you for your career.? What were the strengths - any weaknesses or deficiencies?. Memorable events, teachers, classmates etc.

will build on this BUT actually enriching to start with class of 1966 and then a year out for a BSc with Tobias graduating with Class of 67. Extraordinary how different these 2 classes were BUT I took the best from each

What would you do if you had to start again or were starting again.

exactly the same!!

Did you do charity or volunteer work?

Quite a lot
Undergrad Rag Committee and Riverlea Committee
Alex Clinic Chairperson
Chairperson Still Bay Conservation Trust
Deputy Chair Hoedspruit Training Trust (Hlokomela)

What hobbies, interests or sports do you enjoy.?

Birding, wild life, politics, gardening
Pretty much gave up sport on leaving Wits; play occasional golf

Are you attending the Reunion

No

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Mar 07, 2024 at 9:43 AM
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Jul 20, 2023 at 1:33 AM
Jul 20, 2022 at 1:33 AM
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John Gear (Class of 67) Gear added a comment on his Profile. New comment added.
Jul 01, 2022 at 10:31 AM

Posted on: Jul 01, 2022 at 10:31 AM

Jun 08, 2022 at 9:53 AM

Dear all, "Tony" as we knew him, died 5 weeks ago after a long and debilitating illness bravely born and with quite wonderful support from his wife Annalee and his family. We will all have different memories of Tony but all will agree he was a gentle, softly-spoken and kind person who will be sorely missed by family and friends. Go well dear friend. Your journey is complete; your legacy enduring

Feb 15, 2022 at 11:55 AM
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John Gear (Class of 67) Gear added a photo to his profile gallery.
Feb 15, 2022 at 11:54 AM
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Posted: Feb 15, 2022 at 11:54 AM


agape