Our team of specialist paediatricians brings together extensive clinical experience, a collaborative approach, and a genuine passion for children’s health. By working closely with one another and with trusted multidisciplinary partners, we ensure that every child receives attentive, thorough, and personalised care in a supportive environment where families feel heard, reassured, and confident in their child’s care journey.
I believe your children are the greatest gift you get in life — and it’s my privilege to help protect them and keep them healthy every step of the way. As both a paediatrician and a mother, I understand the joy, wonder, and sometimes worry that comes with raising little ones.
I have the beautiful job of helping bring babies safely into the world and supporting them in those first precious moments — ensuring their safety first and foremost, while also encouraging good bonding through skin-to-skin contact. I approach every birth with both a scientifically grounded and emotionally sensitive perspective, recognising how important those early moments are not just physically, but emotionally — for both baby and parents
I aim to make the delivery of your baby, from a paediatric point of view, as beautiful and memorable as possible — because it’s truly one of the most memorable days of your life.
Over the years I have cared for the tiniest premature babies as small as just over 350g through their intensive care journey — spending dedicated hours at their bedside, fighting alongside families to keep them alive — as well as older children up to the age of 13. I’m here to support you through the very frightening, ill times in ICU or the ward, as well as through general healthy checks and screenings, so we can identify any concerning issues before they become significant problems.
I try my best to listen carefully and truly hear you and your child’s needs. With extensive training and a passion for child health, I’m committed to providing personalised, compassionate care that supports not just the child, but the whole family. I try to explain clearly and work with parents to empower them in their child’s health journey.
Before becoming a paediatrician, I actually began my studies in animal science, planning to become a veterinarian. My love for living things, nurturing, and caregiving was obviously always there — it just took a different shape in the beginning. Eventually, I followed my calling into medicine and paediatrics, where I found not just a career, but a deep purpose . I went on to complete my MBChB at the University of Pretoria, I then was the paediatrician for- dear place in my heart – a rural clinic in Soweto for a year – followed by a Fellowship in paediatrics SA as well as Masters Medicine in Paediatrics
Alongside my medical journey, I was also part of a band for a time — writing and performing songs that were often inspired by the stories and emotions I encountered through my patients. So many of those songs came from the raw, beautiful, and heartbreaking moments I’ve shared with families in their most vulnerable times. When I moved into private practice and the demands of a busy medical career, I had to make the decision to set my music aside — but I still carry those creative, free-spirited memories with me. They remain a deeply meaningful part of my identity and remind me daily of the human side of this profession.
My vision in creating The Paediatric Medical Village was to build a community of care — a place where families have easy access to comprehensive, expert paediatric services all under one roof. Here, your child can be seen promptly by myself or one of my wonderful colleagues, ensuring continuity and collaboration in care. This team approach means your child receives timely attention without compromising the trusted relationship with their primary doctor. A continuation of what well known and loved Dr Richard had started to create over the years with some new added ideas.
Whether managing common childhood illnesses, guiding development, or navigating complex concerns, my goal is to create a safe, calm space where children are treated as unique individuals.
Our practice aims to be a light-hearted and fun space for children — not scary, but warm and friendly — to make every visit as comfortable and reassuring as possible.
If you’re looking for a paediatrician who treats your child like family and is dedicated to their wellbeing – we’d be honoured to care for your little one.
Dr Katherine Flack joined the team in 2022 after a decade of training and experience in the state health care system. Originally from Durban, she attended Wits to earn her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering before enrolling in the university’s graduate entry medical program (GEMP) to pursue a career in Medicine. After completing her medical degree at Wits in 2011, she spent 5 years working in various parts of KZN. It was during this period serving a rural community in a small town in northern KZN, that her passion for helping the tiniest patients developed. The experience obtained there shaped her as a clinician, and it became clear to her that it was time to specialise. She started her specialisation journey by obtaining Diplomas in Child Health (DCH) and in HIV management( Dip HIV Man) from the College of Medicine of South Africa, followed by 4 years as a registrar. She completed her paediatric fellowship (FCPaed) in 2021 and her research for her MMed degree is published in the South African Journal of Child Health.* Dr Flack then joined a large COVID research study, working for the South African Medical Research Council for 6 months.
Dr. Flack’s primary objective has always been to give children of all ages high-quality, evidence-based care; this has not changed since joining the Sandton team. The chance to get to know a child and their family from birth, following them up for developmental checks as well as being able to treat them when they aren’t well, is a privilege not available in state hospitals. Dr. Flack is enthusiastic about this continuity of care and enjoys witnessing her patients’ successes, including their milestones and post-illness recuperation.
When she’s not working at the hospital, Kath enjoys to reading, painting and building her a rapidly expanding collection of Lego botanicals! She loves to travel both domestically and abroad . She appreciates the diversity our stunning country provides and tries to escape to the bush or the coast when she gets a chance.
Dr. Flack, or Dr. Kath as her patients call her, frequently asserts that she feels this is not just a profession but a calling and that she cannot imagine doing any other work.
Publication can be accessed here:
(Flack, K, Hauptfleisch, M P K, & Scher, L G. (2023). A review of spinal muscular atrophy in black South African paediatric patients. South African Journal of Child Health, 17(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJCH.2023.v17i1.1942
Or with this link: A review of spinal muscular atrophy in black South African paediatric patients
Dr Elzette Wannenburg, affectionately known as Dr Zet, is a dedicated Specialist Paediatrician. Her life’s passion is helping children heal and thrive- guiding them and their families through their unique development, keeping them in optimal health and emphasizing their happiness to help them reach their fullest potential.
Dr Zet holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree and a Master’s degree in Paediatrics from the University of the Witwatersrand, along with a Fellowship in the College of Paediatricians of South Africa. She also holds two diplomas-in Child Health and in HIV Management and has completed over 20 postgraduate courses in paediatrics. Her clinical experience includes work in specialised paediatric, neonatal, and intensive care units at multiple academic hospitals in Johannesburg as well as in the private sector at Sandton Mediclinic. She served for two consecutive years as the National Registrar Representative for the South African Paediatric Association and was previously nominated to join the South African College of Pediatricians Council.
She is a passionate advocate for mental health and also co-founded such an initiative for medical staff in academic training hospitals.
Her compassion is exemplified by active involvement in outreach projects-fundraising for children in need and volunteering for programs such as the Special Olympics.
Now part of the Paediatric Medical Village, Dr Zet looks forward to welcoming your little one and accompanying your family on your unique journey through childhood.
Dr Pearline Juggernath is a passionate and dedicated specialist paediatrician with a deep commitment to child health and holistic family care. She completed her medical degree (MBChB) at Walter Sisulu University and began her clinical journey through internship at Helen Joseph Hospital and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. Her community service year at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital’s paediatric department sparked a lifelong dedication to paediatrics.
Dr Juggernath earned her specialist qualification in paediatrics through the University of the Witwatersrand, with clinical training at some of South Africa’s leading institutions, including Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Rahima Moosa Hospital and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. She holds a Fellowship in Paediatrics from the College of Medicine of South Africa and a Master’s degree in Paediatrics, with her research focused on paediatric pulmonology. Her thesis, “Bronchiectasis in a High HIV and TB Setting,” was published in the African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine in December 2024.
Beyond her medical achievements, Dr Juggernath is also a mother—an experience that brings an added layer of empathy and insight to her care. She believes strongly in a patient- and family-centered approach, supporting parents through the challenges of paediatric care and ensuring they feel informed, involved, and empowered.
I’m Sr. Elaine Thornton-Smith, privileged to be working in the Well Baby Clinic at The Paediatric Medical Village 
.
I graduated in General Nursing, Midwifery & Community Health Nursing. I’ve always been passionate about community, preventive, promotive health & postnatal Nursing. There’s Joy in encouraging new Parents who are feeling inadequate as Parents. I felt equally inadequate in 1984 when my 1st of 3 children was born.
I’ve been privileged to work in this postnatal field of Nursing & have loved every part of my journey.
I joined a Sandton Mediclinic Paediatric Practice under Dr David Richard on 1 May 1995 & have loved every day of my 30-year journey supporting Parents by offering them a Preventive, Promotive Health Service through Immunizing Preventable Diseases. Offering a well-researched introduction to a Solids program. Monitoring growth by weekly weighing visits for the first 6weeks.
It’s a Joy to be part of an awesome TEAM of Paediatritions & colleagues.
We are conveniently located at Sandton Medi Clinic in Bryanston. Simply complete this contact form to arrange your appointment!
