Page 19 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Wendy Dhlomo

Gynaecologist, Founder and Co-owner of This commitment to transformation led to the birth of essentially a mini hospital is not cheap, and scaling up
Femiclinix Femiclinix and what Wendy describes as her proudest adds more pressure.”
entrepreneurial achievement. “Transitioning from being Yet her resolve remains unshaken, and she is committed
a clinician to an entrepreneur in healthcare has been
endy Dhlomo is a gynaecologist interesting and deeply fulfilling. To be part of something to mentoring others. “My advice to young women is
W and the founder and co-owner of that is bigger than myself, that has always been my dream. simple,” she says. “Each of us has a purpose. Never lose
Femiclinix. Situated in the Upper
sight of that. You are never too young or too old to find
Highway area of Hillcrest, Femiclinix is a pioneering Anything at scale, I am the girl for it,” she says. it and pursue it.” She also stresses the importance of
women’s health clinic that merges comfort, compassion Her approach to leadership is a blend of a strong academic continuous learning. “Always upskill yourself. What you
and clinical excellence. background and an innovative mindset. Wendy reflects, “I learn today might only make sense ten years from now.
am not just looking at one person but at how to create But when that moment comes, you will be grateful that
Wendy describes Femiclinix as ‘a home away from home’
kind of clinic. Expectant mothers can experience childbirth systems that can help many. The clinic’s slogan,’ Women’s you invested in yourself.”
in a relaxed, family-centred setting while retaining the Healthcare Reimagined’, perfectly encapsulates her phi- Equally important, she believes, is surrounding oneself
assurance of medical safety. losophy. “We allow our minds to go wild in thinking with the right people. “Never feel embarrassed to ask
about how best to deliver healthcare that is both safe and
Her vision stems from the belief that pregnancy is a natural progressive. Healthcare can be rigid, but flexibility and questions. Nobody knows it all. Have people who are
ahead of you to guide you, and as you grow, be that
process rather than a medical condition. “At the end of the adaptability are my superpowers,” she says with conviction.
day, being pregnant means you are not sick. We wanted person for others. We are all part of a larger community,
to create an environment that allows for a natural, safe Her achievements extend far beyond entrepreneurship and we rise by lifting one another.”
and supported birth experience,” she says. “You get the as she recently completed a PhD, which was a huge Wendy is passionate about fostering a culture of entre-
comfort of giving birth outside of a hospital, not at home, milestone. Her doctoral research focused on the human preneurship. “We should be creating job creators, not just
but with the safety that you would get in a hospital,” she papilloma virus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer. job seekers,” she says. “For us, it is not only about business
explains. “Midwives do the delivery, but as gynaecologists, “We studied what factors put women at higher risk of for profit. We are also creating jobs and contributing to
my business partner and I are there for back up should it developing cervical cancer. It was very rewarding research society. Every small effort forms part of a bigger ecosystem.”
be required.” because cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is
almost completely preventable.” Looking ahead, Wendy envisions scaling Femiclinix and
Hospitals, she admits, do not always lend themselves to contributing to national healthcare reform. “South Africa’s
such experiences. “Our model is a different offering to Femiclinix has also taken this research to heart through health system is divided between an overburdened public
women,” Wendy explains. “We have midwives, dieticians, community action. “In August, we partnered with AMPATH sector and an expensive private sector. We are trying to
psychologists and other healthcare providers all working laboratories to offer free cervical cancer screening for bridge that gap by offering quality services at affordable
together. It is truly collaborative care. We are a one-stop women who could not afford it,” Wendy explains. “It was prices,” she explains. “Our goal is to improve access and
shop offering women’s health services.” incredibly successful. People brought their domestic relieve pressure on the public system while maintaining
workers and friends. We donated our services because we
FROM CLINICIAN TO CHANGEMAKER wanted to promote access to care.” high standards of care.”

Although Wendy’s professional roots lie in clinical CREATING CHANGE Despite her demanding schedule, Wendy is intentional
medicine, her path has evolved into something broader about maintaining balance. “I make time to reset every
and deeply impactful. “I am a gynaecologist by training, Wendy’s journey, while rewarding, has not been without weekend, whether through hiking, walking on the beach
but I also specialised in public health,” she says. “The space challenges. “Personal setbacks are part of life,” she admits. or spending time with friends,” she shares. “Every six to
I am in now allows me to combine my clinical expertise “Sometimes you must slow down when life happens, even eight weeks, I take a short break to recalibrate. You cannot
with my passion for public health advocacy.” when your goals remain in sight.” wait for the end of the year to rest. Those small pit stops
keep me grounded.”
Her enthusiasm for systemic change is palpable. “I like “Time is one of the hardest resources to manage,” she
things that have a huge impact such as improving health says. “As a mother, businesswoman and healthcare Smiling, she concludes, “Reading nourishes my mind,
outcomes, improving access and creating health solutions provider, there are moments when it all feels like too and sunsets nourish my soul. Give me a sunset, and I
for every single woman. That is what drives me.” much. Finance is another challenge. Setting up what is feel completely at peace.”

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