GENERAL AND PERSONAL:

TEL: +27 (0) 52261097/9 (WORK)
E-mail: fcjbester@bestgib.co.za

INTERESTS:             

Play Squash, enjoys rugby, tennis, cricket and motor racing. Interested in computers, economics, politics, aviation. Professional interests are Gerontology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Cardiology and Rheumatology. Also play guitar, sing and fly light aircraft’s during spare time (obtained PPL in 1995).

GENERAL EDUCATION:

Started school training in the province of the Orange Free State at Paul Roux.  Completed school training at the Paul Erasmus Secondary school in Senekal (Eastern Free State). Matriculate in 1979 with distinction on average.  Headboy of the school and sang in the Orange Free State Youth Choir.

PRESENT APPOINTMENT:

SPECIALIST PHYSICIAN in private practice.

PARTTIME CONSULTANT, DEPT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE, BLOEMFONTEIN. January 1994 to date.

MEDICAL CAREER:
MEDICAL EDUCATION:

Medical School: University of Free State, Bloemfontein, Rep. of South Africa.

Teaching Hospitals: Universitas Hospital, National Hospital, Pelonomi Hospital.

Qualifications: MBChB (U.O.F.S.)-1985

Honors in Internal Medicine, Surgery,Psychiatry.

M. Med.(Int.Med.) (U.O.F.S)-1993

FCP (SA)-1993

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION:

SA Medical and Dental Council - Specialist Physician.

General Medical Council- overseas list (U.K.)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

1986: Intern at Universitas/Pelonomi hospitals, Bloemfontein.

1987: Medical officer, Dept. Internal Medicine, U.F.S.

1988: Military service - 3 Military Hospital, Bloemfontein. 1989: Research Officer - Dept. Internal Medicine, U.F.S. 1990: Registrar - Dept. Internal Medicine, U.F.S.

1993: Registered as Physician.

1994: Consultant, Dept. of Internal Medicine, U.O.F.S. 1994: Went into private practice as specialist physician.

MEMBERSHIP - PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS:

NATIONAL:

South African Gerontological Society (founder member and secretary of local branch and national executive committee member (from 1993)). 1990 to 1994.

South African Hypertension Society. 1989 to date.

Chairman, local branch - Registrars Association of Medical Faculties (UOFS Branch). 1992 and 1993.

South African Medical Association:

· EXCO – Central branch. 1999

· Vice chair – Central branch 1999/2000

· President – Central branch 2000 – currently.

Faculty of consulting Physicians of South Africa:

· Regional representative 1998-1999

INTERNATIONAL:

African Gerontological Society (founder member in 1989).

Became first Editor of the Newsletter of the Society in 1993.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

1983: Chairman, medical student's representative council.

1984: Member, students representative council.

1984: Chairman - Student Community Service Organization.

1987: Member - Mangaung Society for care of the Aged.

1989: Executive Member - Mangaung Society for care of the Aged.

1990: Founder member and Chairman: Voluntary Aid Bureau, Bloemfontein.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

1984: MER National merit bursary.

1985: Dux Student - University of the Orange Free State.

1990: Second prize - ICI Clinical research day, 13 August.

1992: Special award - article, “Prevalence of hypertension amongst elderly blacks in the Orange Free State”, in Cardiovascular Journal of Southern Africa 1991; 4: 154-156.

1998: Listed in the 15th edition of “Who’s who in the world”

1999: Listed in “Outstanding people of the 20th century” - Cambridge

Academic Contributions and Continuous professional development Overseas visits and local courses:

1987: United Kingdom: attended course in Edinburgh on health care for the Elderly.

1990: Congress of the International Gerontological Association in Acapulco. Visit to the Addenbrooke Hospital's Geriatric Unit, UK.

1992: International Conference on Population Aging in San Diego on invitation of the African Gerontological Society.Visit to the US National Council on Aging. Visit to the US "State Ombudsman Project". Visit to the US Health Dept. on Aging.

1993: Congress of the International Gerontological Association in Budapest, Hungary. Visit to the Netherlands to obtain information of the different levels of elderly care. Chief Reporter - First Regional Workshop of the African Gerontological Society, Accra, Ghana.

1995: ERS congress September, Barcelona Spain. Asthma symposium - Vienna, Austria. Topics in Gastroenterology - Victoria falls, Zimbabwe.

1996: UEGW Paris - 5th united European gastroenterology week. Physicians refresher course - UCT medical school - December.

1997: European Heart Association - Stockholm (24-28 August) AHA - Orlando, 70th scientific sessions.

1998: European Heart Association – Vienna (August)

1999: Update in Nephrology – Harvard Medical School, Boston – (13 – 19 June)

1999: Physicians refresher course – UCT, Cape Town

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

1. Epidemiological study of Elderly blacks in the Orange Free State (1987-1988).

2. BY 1023/BGSA 008. Efficacy and safety of Pantoprazole 20mg per day versus Ranitidine 150 mg per day in relapse Prophylaxis over one year for patients with healed reflux esophagitis in a preceding acute healing phase with 40 mg pantoprazole per day. (1997/1998) – completed.

3. BY 1023/BGSA 017 Pantoprazole 20 mg versus placebo in Gr. 0 Esophagitis.

4. Boerhinger Ingelheim Trial 534.11 in acute Ischaemic stroke. Cerestat Trial (1996-1997) Trial was prematurely terminated due to adverse events – co-investgator.

5. ENO-AUS 96/601 A multicentre, randomized, open label, parallel group, clinical trial compare the efficacy and safety of once daily subcutaneously administered enoxaparin in a home/early discharge setting and continuously infused heparin in hospital for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (without pulmonary embolism) in patients eligible for home treatment. Investigator – 1998

6. VALUE study – Protokol 405 Value Trial ID: 048933 CO405 A prospective, multinational, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial in patients with essential hypertension to compare the effect of Valsartan 80 and 160 mg, withor without the addition of hydrochlorothiazide, once daily to tha t of amlodipine 5 and 10 mg once daily, with or without the addition of hydrochlorothiazide, on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Novartis.

7. H.M.R. 3647A/3000 A Double-Blind, Multicenter, Randomized, Active-Controlled Two-Arm Parallel-Group Comparative Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral HMR 3647 (800 mg once daily) Versus Oral Clarithromycin (500mg twice daily) in the Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults.

8. SB265805/011 A Randomised, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Multicentre, Parallel Group Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Oral SB-265805 320 mg Once Daily for 7 Days Versus Oral Amoxicillin/Clavulanate 1g/125mg Three Times Daily for 10 Days for the Treatment of Community Acquired Pneumonia of Suspected Pneumococcal Origin – Smith Kline Beecham.

9. TFX-NY-97-031 A Randomized, Multicenter, Open Comparative Trial of Oral Trovafloxacin Versus Oral Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid Plus Optional erythromycin for the Treatment of Community Acquired Pneumonia – Pfizer

10. Protocol Number CV138-036 A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial to determine the effects on Glycemic Control of a Range of Doses of a Metformin Novel Oral Dose Form, Administered Either once or Twice a Day in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes who have Inadequate Glycemic Control with diet and Exercise. Bristol Myers Squibb. Study 20504.

11. A non-comparative, multicentre study on the efficacy and safety of UK-292,663 in invasive candida and cryptococcal infections protocol 252-302 version-16 July 1998. Pfizer.

REFEREES:

Professor D.J.V. Weich Tel: (051) 4053911
Head, Department of Internal Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of the Orange Free State.
Box 339
9300 Bloemfontein
Republic of South Africa

Professor C.J.C. Nel Tel: (051) 4053911
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
University of the Orange Free State.
Box 339
9300 Bloemfontein
Republic of South Africa

PUBLICATIONS:

ARTICLES
Weich D.J.V., Bester F.C.J. Hypertension in the aged. Hypertension: new perspectives 1990; March: 36-38.

Weich D.J.V., Bester F.C.J., Brüssow M.W. Die long en veroudering. VMO 1990; 8(7): 751-756.

Weich D.J.V., Nienkemper M.J., Bester F.C.J. Hipertensie by die bejaarde. VMO 1991; 9: 60-69.

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., Barnard H.C., Vermaak W.J.H. Biochemical reference values in elderly black subjects. S Afr Med J 1990; 78: 241-244.

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., Badenhorst P.N., de Wet J.I. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in Elderly blacks. S Afr Med J 1993.

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., Albertyn E.W. Socio-economic circumstances and functional abilities of elderly blacks in the Orange Free State. S Afr Med J 1992; 82: 110-113.

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V. Prevalence of hypertension amongst elderly blacks in the Orange Free State. Cardiovascular Journal of Southern Africa 1991; 4: 154-156.

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., De Wet J.I. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second - reference values for elderly African blacks. (Submitted to S Afr Med J)

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., Gagiano C.A. Mental disorders disorders of elderly blacks in the Orange Free State. South African Journal of Age Related Disorders 1991; (3)3: 13-16.

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., Danhauser A. Nutrient intakes of elderly blacks in the Orange Free State. SA Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1993; 6(1): 6-11.

De Hoog C., Weich D.J.V., Bester F.C.J.. Hypertension in the Elderly. Hospital and Specialist Medicine 1992; (14)3: 16-22.

FORMAL PRESENTATIONS: IN SOUTH AFRICA

1983 - August
F.C.J. Bester, J van den Ende. Die Stetoskoop, draer van Infeksie? Academic research day, Faculty of Medicine, U.O.F.S. Venue:Lecture theatre 1 - Medical faculty, U.O.F.S.

1987 - 14th and 15th August.
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich. Longfunksies in die swart bejaarde. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1988 - 19 and 20 August.
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich. Hematologie van die Swart bejaarde in die Oranje Vrystaat. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1988 - September
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich, P.N. Badenhorst. Haematological values of elderly blacks in the Orange Free State. Presented at ICI Clinical research day. Venue: Marie Curie Theatre, Wits Medical School, Johannesburg.

1989 - 11th-14 June
Bester FCJ, Weich DJV. Bowel habits and fiber intake of the black aged. S Afr Med J 1989; 75(10): (Suppl)32. Poster presented at SAGES congress.Venue: Sun City.

1989 - 11th-14 June.
Bester FCJ, Weich DJV. Profiles of Gastrointestinal Symptoms amongst the black aged in the O.F.S. S Afr Med J 1989; 75(10): (Suppl) 33. Poster presentation presented at SAGES Congress. Venue: Sun City.

1989 - 25 and 26 August.
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich, M.L. Hendricks. Limfosiet subpopulasies van die Swart Bejaarde. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1989 - 25 and 26 August.
C. Conradie, F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich. Kardiologiese evaluasie in Swart Bejaardes. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1989 - 18 September
F.C.J. Bester. Problematiek van die bejaarde. Presented at Symposium on Elderly care for Professional Nursing Staff in the Orange Free State. Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Campus of The University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.

1989 - September
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich, M.L. Hendricks. Lymphocyte Subpopulations amongst elderly blacks. Presented at ICI Clinical research day. Venue: Marie Curie Theatre, Wits Medical School, Johannesburg.

1989 - October
Title: Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V. Lung function values of Elderly Blacks in the Orange Free State. Presented at the Biennial Pulmonology Congress. Venue: Karos Hotel, Wildernis.

1990 - 24 August.
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich, P.N. Badenhorst, J.I. de Wet. Eritrosiet besinkingstempo in die Swart Bejaarde. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1990 - 24 August.
Boonste SVK patologie in die Swart bejaarde in Bloemfontein en Botshabelo. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1990 - 31 August
Bester FCJ, Weich DJV, Badenhorst PN, de Wet JI. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Elderly Blacks. Presented at ICI Clinical research day. Venue: Marie Curie Theatre, Wits Medical School.

1991 - July
Middlecote BD, Bester FCJ, van Zyl JH. Lipofuscin in gastric biopsies: a common finding in haemosiderotics. Presented at the SAVP congress. Venue: Cape Town.

1991 - 24th-26th April.
Bester FCJ, Weich DJV. Hypertension amongst elderly blacks in the OFS. Presented at the 7th biennial congress of the Southern African Hypertension Society. Venue: Johannesburg Sun Hotel.

1991 - August.
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich. Hipertensie in Swart bejaardes in die Oranje Vrystaat. Presented at the Academic Research day of the Faculty of Medicine University of the Orange Free State. Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Medical Faculty, Bloemfontein.

1991 - 13 September
Bester F.C.J, Weich D.J.V., Barnard H.C,. Mollentze W.F. Prevalence of Thyriod Disorders in Elderly Blacks in the Orange Free State. Presented at ICI Clinical research day. Venue: Marie Curie Theatre, Wits Medical School.

1992 - 30 January
F.C.J. Bester. Inleidende aspekte van Bejaardesorg en siektetoestande van die bejaarde. Presented during a personnel development course. Venue: Monument place of Safety, Bloemfontein.

1992 - 9 July
F.C.J. Bester. 'n Perspektief en die belang van voortydige beplanning vir bejaardesorg. Presented at inaugural meeting of the Gerontogical nursing group in the Eastern Free State. Venue: Bethlehem.

1992 - 9th October
F.C.J. Bester. Care for Elderly Blacks, the Mangaung experience. Presented at Workshop to plan for care for elderly blacks in Witbank. Organized by the Emalahleni Society for the Aged. Venue: Witbank.

1993 - 11th-13 October.
F.C.J. Bester, D.J.V. Weich, A. Danhauser. Nutrient intakes of elderly Blacks in the Orange Free State. Presented at Conference of the National Council for the Aged. Venue: Elangeni Sun, Durban.

1993 - 2 November
F.C.J. Bester. Toekomsblik op bejaardesorg in Suid Afrika. Presented at workshop for elderly people. Venue: T.S. du Plessis theatre, Welkom (OFS).

FORMAL PRESENTATIONS - OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA

Middlecote B.D., van Wyk JD, Bester FCJ, van Zyl JH. Lipofuscinosis and haemosiderosis: an endoscopic and autopsy study. (presented at the congress of the IAP in Argentinia during September 1990)

Bester F.C.J., Weich D.J.V., Badenhorst P.N., de Wet J.I. Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate in Elderly Blacks. Poster presented at the 14th International Congress of Gerontology­Budapest during July 1993.

Weich D.J.V., Bester F.C.J., Mollentze W.F. Hypertension in elderly Blacks. Presented at the 14th International Congress of Gerontology- Budapest during July 1993.

Bester F.C.J. Health and Nutritional Aspects of the Elderly in South Africa. Presented at the First Regional Workshop of the African Gerontological Society - Accra, Ghana, 13-16 December 1993.

Van Zyl JH, Van Rensburg CJ, Honiball PJ, Moola SAH, Eloff FP, Grundling J de K, Nel PJ, Bester FCJ, Spies SK, Retief FJ, Theron I, Fisher R, Maier C. Prophylactic efficacy and safety of 20 mg Pantoprazole Vs 150 mg Ranitidine against relapse in patients with healed reflux oesophagitis - a one year study. Submitted to the UEGW - August 1998.