Her journey into medicine was driven by an insatiable curiosity about how the human body works, which soon developed into a deep-seated passion for paediatric care.
Dr Sauerman's academic career began at Stellenbosch University, where she completed her MBChB in 2010, graduating with four distinctions and becoming a member of the Golden Key Association. She then pursued further specialization in paediatrics, obtaining her FC Paeds (SA) from the College of Medicine South Africa in 2021 and her Master of Medicine (MMed) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2022.
Her professional experience is extensive and varied. Dr Sauerman began her career as an intern at Potchefstroom Hospital from January 2011 to December 2012, followed by a role as a Community Service Officer at Mowbray Maternity Hospital in 2013.
She then worked as a Paediatric Medical Officer at Khayelitsha District Hospital from January 2014 to March 2016, where she covered general paediatric wards, emergency paediatric units, and neonates. Her tenure at Tygerberg Hospital from April 2016 to December 2016 as a Paediatric Medical Officer saw her rotating through neonates, general paediatrics, and PICU.
Dr Sauerman's most recent position before joining Mediclinic Cape Gate Centre was at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, where she served as a Paediatrician from July 2021 to December 2023. Before that, she was a Paediatric Registrar and Consultant in the hospital’s general paediatric wards and the neurodevelopmental clinic, assessing and managing children with developmental and behavioural concerns.
Her interest in paediatrics was initially sparked by her love for newborns, leading her to general paediatrics with a focus on neonatology. She has a keen interest in developmental paediatrics, a passion fuelled further by her own daughter's development.
She has completed a number of courses to enhance her skills and knowledge, including Griffiths III training and accreditation, several patch academy courses in paediatric palliative care and a research course in Good Clinical practise.
Dr Sauerman is particularly passionate about helping children with developmental disorders, ADHD, and autism. Her dedication in this field extends beyond clinical practice into significant research contributions. She was an integral part of the NeuroDev study, which focused on developmental disorders in the African population, providing valuable insights into the unique challenges and characteristics of these conditions in this demographic.
She was also part of a pioneering team that established a new study reviewing ADHD in Africa, aiming to enhance understanding and identify genetic causes for this condition in the continent. Currently, she is involved in a study that examines normal development in the African population. This research is particularly groundbreaking as it seeks to identify early predictors of developmental delays, allowing for timely interventions.
She is excited about her new role at Mediclinic Cape Gate Centre, where she views her practice as a partnership and a team effort, embarking on a journey with her patients and their families.
Outside of her professional life, Dr Sauerman treasures time spent with her husband, young daughter, family, and friends. She enjoys reading and places great importance on exercise, viewing it as essential for physical and mental wellbeing.
