Full Name: Dorena ‘Bibi’ Goss-Ross

Position and Company Name: MD of Advanced Health SA

Main Activity of the Company: Advanced Health SA manages and owns day hospitals, which are cost effective, as they offer same-day surgical services

Date and Place of Birth: August 1, 1967, Cape Town

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, President High School; BA degree, Nelson Mandela University; Risk Management Diploma: Healthcare; Foundation for Professional Development Business Management Diploma, Damelin College

First Job: I started working in high school from Standard 8 at Trust Bank, now ABSA, and continued into my university days

Size of First Pay Packet: R50 to R60 a day working during holidays and weekends

Career Path to Date: After completing my degree, Trust Bank offered me a full-time position. However, my career trajectory shifted when I pursued my passion for teaching children for a year, following my departure from the bank as a result of being widowed at 28 with a baby to look after. In search of a higher-paying job, I reached out to the MADDOCS group, the owner of a hospital being constructed near my home in Amandasig, Pretoria. This marked the beginning of my healthcare journey in 1993 at Akasia Private Hospital, initially starting at reception and gradually advancing to patient administration manager. Subsequently, I transitioned to EHMS, a hospital management group, where I headed the administration department, before the group was acquired by Netcare. Joining Netcare’s corporate office in 2008 as fund risk manager, I progressed to special debt manager, before being recruited as operations manager in 2012 by MedCeptional, a division of SpesNet, focusing on day hospitals. This role introduced me to the day-hospital sector, culminating in 2014 with the listing of Advanced Health on the JSE, operating under MedCeptional’s licences. For the past decade, Advanced Health has been integral to my professional journey within the demanding and ever-changing landscape of South Africa’s healthcare industry

Value of Assets and Number of People under Your Control: We own and manage ten day hospitals with a staff of 180 and a centralised office

Management Style: Collaborative and relaxed – I remain very close to the business operationally but give teams space to be creative and use their initiative and take ownership

Personal Best Achievement: Commissioning eight new day hospitals within an 18-month period, mentoring and building many relationships spanning 30 years, being consulted on the setting up of a large hospital in Bahrain and completing eight Argus cycle tours with limited preparation

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, who passed away when I was in matric – I only understood some of his teachings and sense of humour much later in my life

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr Sam Rossollimos, the first person to appoint me in the healthcare industry. He has been a mentor and coach who has silently observed me, encouraged me to aim high and take risks, and pointed out ways to improve

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: “Do unto others . . .’’; I do not believe in special treatment and try to reflect a selfless and altruistic approach in everything I do; use your time wisely – life is short; mind your words – understand people and make an impression that lasts

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To be part of the commissioning team visiting Bahrain for a project, to build a great team of day hospitals within Advanced Health, and to be a director at various companies

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not taking the opportunity when it came to working abroad. However, I do not focus on disappointments but rather see them as learning curves to move forward

Hope for the Future: Better education and healthcare systems with a ‘back to basics’ approach

Favourite Reading: Biographies, crime and legal dramas, as well as books on leadership

Favourite TV Programme: Any crime drama, and legal battles

Favourite Food/Drink: Steak, whiskey and my husband’s craft gin (Great Karoo Spirit)

Favourite Music: Any dance music with a good beat; a good mix of classical music; 80s

Favourite Sport: Watching rugby/T20 cricket, and mountain bike cycling

Hobbies: Puzzles, paint by numbers, cycling, 4 X 4 drives and camping

Car: VW T-Roc

Pets: I love large-breed dogs (Labrador and Retriever)

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Rats and snakes

Married: To Ian

Children: Twin boys of 25 and a daughter of 31, as well as a two-year-old granddaughter who calls me Glammy (glamorous ouma)

Clubs: Local cycling club and local Callanetics club