Meet the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Anatomy Summa Cum Laude Duo
The top students in the class of 2025 Anatomy cohort are this Autumn’s summa cum laude graduates, Ms Nadine Parsotham of Pietermaritzburg and Ms Simren Pillay of Durban.
‘I am currently undergoing a degree in Medicine and hope to complete it in the same style as my first degree,’ said Parsotham who added that she aims to travel abroad and experience all the wonderful things the world has to offer. I envision specialising in either oncology or pursuing a career as a military physician. Above all, I want to live a happy and fruitful life,’ she said.
Parsotham says she has always been fascinated with the intricate workings of the human body as well as forensic science, ‘so naturally, I leaned toward a Laboratory Medicine degree centred around anatomy. This is still one of my passions, however Medical Science sparked the realisation that I really belong in Medicine and thus I set my efforts towards excelling and becoming a doctor.
‘I feel very honoured and grateful. I am so proud of myself to be graduating with such excellence. I also feel relieved in a way, considering all the effort I have put in. My family is very proud of my success,’ Parsotham said, adding that she plans to be the first Medical doctor in her family.
A product of Heather Secondary in Pietermaritzburg, Parsotham said meeting amazing new friends who made her university experience a blast had been a highlight. ‘I’ll always treasure the lifelong friendships I formed – those long campus days that started with studying and ended with laughter, as we took on this degree together,’ she said. ‘One of my milestones was receiving the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Award and attending the scholarship awards ceremony with my parents. I’ve achieved the Dean’s Commendation every semester along with many certificates of merit. I also had the special honour to have tea with the deans on two occasions.’
‘My hobbies include yoga, meditation, crocheting, movie watching, hiking and outdoor adventures – especially in nature and on the beach – swimming and being an active member of my Ashram (religious group) doing community service in my spare time,’ Parsotham said.
Pillay attended Marklands Secondary School, matriculated with six distinctions and received the Dux award (valedictorian). She is currently studying towards her honours in Anatomy, and her aspiration is to continue growing in the field of research and academia.
Pillay was thrilled to receive certificates of merit as well as Dean’s Commendations every semester at UKZN. She said studying Medical Science (Anatomy) was her first choice, and she too had always been passionate about the intricacy of the human body. ‘The complexity and precision of its structure truly captivated me, and that is what led me to pursue this field.’
Said Pillay: ‘Graduating as the top student feels surreal and incredibly humbling. I’m truly grateful for being in this position and for all the support I’ve received throughout this journey. It’s an honour I will always cherish.’
She said her family and friends were proud of her achievement, and that it meant a lot to share this moment with them. ‘The accomplishment is not mine alone, but shared with everyone who’s walked this journey with me.’
In her free time, Pillay enjoys playing PlayStation games, watching soccer, and staying active.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
