Professor Dalena van Rooyen is an academic leader and researcher with a career in academia spanning over 30 years. Her profound leadership skills and extensive experience have earned her a prominent position in the nursing and healthcare community in South Africa and have inspired many in the field. Currently serving as Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences, her extensive experience in the higher education sector, particularly relating to strategic leadership in health professions education, is well-recognised and valued. She has fulfilled numerous leadership positions and currently serves as a board member on the South African Committee of Health Sciences Deans (SACoHSD) and the South African Committee of Medical Deans (SACoMD).
Her management of interprofessional research and developmental grants, which have exceeded R150 million at both national and international levels, is a testament to her ability to secure significant funding for the Faculty. With an H-index of 17, she has published 77 peer-reviewed articles, two textbooks, and eight chapters in different textbooks. She has also authored six clinical skills textbooks (please see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dalena-Van-Rooyen). Her expertise is further recognised as she serves on the review boards of various accredited journals.
Professor van Rooyen's commitment to supporting students is a testament to her dedication to the healthcare and academic sectors. She has successfully promoted and supervised over 80 PhD and Magister candidates, many of whom have gone on to achieve the highest ranks in their field.
As a researcher, she has contributed strongly to the areas of evidence-based practice, barriers to health care, and the right to health of vulnerable people, as well as the scholarship of learning and teaching in health professions education (IPE).
Email: dalena.vanrooyen@mandela.ac.za
ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6019-6602