Despite numerous health and financial battles, a young woman from Port Elizabeth managed a summa cum laude pass in dental surgery at the University of the Western Cape.
The former Victoria Park High School pupil was initially accepted to study actuarial science but because of her passion for people, she jumped at the opportunity to study dental surgery.
In September 2014, during her first year, Pauls, 23, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis – a chronic inflammatory bowel illness that causes swelling in the digestive tract – which she described as a difficult battle.
“Being away from home was difficult, especially when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition,” she said.
“When your body becomes your enemy, the battle is very difficult to fight.
“Spending a week in hospital every few months and taking chemotherapeutic medication can take its toll, particularly when the practical component of your curriculum is demanding, as it is in dentistry.”
However, this never deterred Pauls from achieving her vision.
“Despite pain and discomfort, I always gave my patients the best treatment I could.
“At the end of the day, they have their own pain and it is my job to alleviate it, with a caring smile on my face.”
Pauls was awarded a full bursary by the Eastern Cape department of health – however, there was often late payment of her meal allowance.
“The workload of the curriculum became more demanding and my stress took its toll on my health.
“Added to this was the uncertainty of when I would receive meal vouchers from my bursary, from which I would survive.
“But if you cannot motivate yourself to get out of bed each morning, even when you are sick and weak, no-one else will,” she said.
Pauls graduated top of her class in December. “Finally [all] the hard work, blood – literally – sweat and tears of studying culminated in being recognised as the top dentistry student, with the most distinguished clinical achievement and undergraduate academic career from first to final year.
“I was also awarded SA Dental Association medals for achievement in different disciplines and the gold medal for academic excellence.”
Pauls now wants to give back to her Bay community and help change lives. “The next page in my book will be written in Port Elizabeth as I start my career as a community service dentist in Kwazakhele.”
Pauls said she had family in Cape Town who had supported her through her five years of studying, making coping with her illness more bearable.
“My parents have also been most supportive; throughout my academic career they instilled in me the importance of education and hard work.
“They afforded me opportunities that they did not have.”
Pauls’s health is under control and she is in remission.
She is doing her community service in Kwazakhele and hopes to get a permanent position that will keep her in the Bay for the next five years.