“Be humble but not invisible.”
These words resonated deeply at the 2025 SAAHIP Conference.
Fittingly, they also reflect the leadership style of the woman now at the helm of the South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP): Dr Seshnee Moodley.
But who exactly is Dr Moodley?
Let’s dive in.
A Journey Rooted in Excellence
Dr Seshnee Moodley is an experienced pharmacist, currently employed at a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Cape as the Medicolegal and Quality Assurance Manager. She obtained her BPharm degree at the University of Port Elizabeth in 2005, followed by her PharmD degree in 2020 from Rhodes University.
She has practiced in both institutional (private and public) and community pharmacy settings and has gained vast experience in these sectors, previously being registered as Responsible pharmacist, currently registered as a tutor and as a Honorary Fellow at Rhodes University.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Dr Moodley is the current President of SAAHIP, previously serving as the Vice-president and chairperson of the SAAHIP Eastern Cape Branch. She has also served on the Border and Eastern Districts PSSA Branch executive, serving one term as the vice-chair and officially being appointed to the PSSA National executive as an additional member in 2023 to date. Most recently, Seshnee was also awarded the esteemed PSSA Fellowship for her contribution in the pharmaceutical space.
She is an active member of the international Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), serving on the working group of the FIP World Hospital Pharmacist Research Committee (WhoPRec) and FIP Hospital Pharmacy Section Committee on Communication and Digital Engagement platform, since 2022.
Seshnee stands as a leader, mentor and innovator in her field and strongly believes that knowledge is power and knowledge gained, must be knowledge imparted. Her influence stretches beyond her workplace and into national pharmacy policy, education, and leadership.
Her Rise to the Presidency
In April 2025, during the much-anticipated SAAHIP National Conference, Dr Moodley was officially announced as the new SAAHIP President. The announcement wasn’t just ceremonial. It marked a new era.
Taking over from a legacy of strong and progressive leadership, Dr Moodley stepped into the role with a clear mission: to unify, uplift, and modernize the practice of institutional pharmacy in South Africa.
In her own words:
“I am deeply humbled and forever grateful for the trust placed in me. I commit to leading with excellence, passion, compassion and devotion.”
Let’s unpack what that means.
Leadership Built on Four Pillars
Dr Moodley has committed to building on the four foundational pillars laid by the previous SAAHIP executive:
- Humility and Visibility As the theme of the conference emphasized, true leadership isn’t about showboating. It’s about showing up. Dr Moodley believes in servant leadership—being accessible, empathetic, and collaborative. Her mantra? You can be both humble and bold. You can lead without overshadowing.
- Collaboration Across the Board Hospital pharmacists. Institutional pharmacists. Public sector. Private sector. She wants all of them at the same table. Dr Moodley is adamant about tearing down silos. She believes collaboration isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for innovation and sustainability.
- Shared Vision, Shared Wins Her leadership ethos focuses on shared purpose. She envisions SAAHIP members across the country working toward common goals—improved patient outcomes, more visible pharmacy leadership in hospitals, and greater policy influence.
- Innovation and Future-Focus Pharmacogenomics. Informatics. Artificial intelligence. Forensic and veterinary pharmacy. Dr Moodley is passionate about propelling hospital pharmacy into the future. Let that sink in. She doesn’t just want to adapt to the future. She wants to help shape it.
From the Ward to the Boardroom
Dr Moodley is not the type of leader who leads from afar. She remains deeply engaged in clinical pharmacy. She still participates in ward rounds, patient case reviews, and stewardship programs. She has been very instrumental in the Rhodes University 4th year, undergraduate work-based learning program which is held at her hospital annually and overseeing the pharmacy internship program as well.
This hands-on involvement means she speaks from lived experience. When she advocates for better working conditions, expanded scopes of practice, or more research funding, she does this with absolute precision and accuracy.
A Voice for the Voiceless
Throughout her career, Dr Moodley has been a voice for underrepresented pharmacists and underserved patients. She has championed:
- Better recognition of hospital pharmacists in national health strategy
- Access to continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for rural pharmacists
- Equitable resource distribution across health facilities
And she’s just getting started.
A Leader with Heart
Beyond her qualifications and accolades, Dr Moodley is a deeply human leader. She shares her story openly—the challenges, the setbacks, the lessons.
“We all started somewhere. Don’t let your current position limit your future potential.”
Her presidency comes at a time when South Africa’s healthcare system needs transformation, innovation, and healing. And she’s stepping into the arena with grace and grit.
What to Expect During Her Term
Still wondering what the next two years might look like under her leadership?
Here’s a glimpse:
- Greater member engagement: Expect more opportunities to connect, grow, and contribute to SAAHIP.
- Emphasis on mentorship: Dr Moodley plans to strengthen mentorship programs across provinces.
- Tech-forward approach: From webinars to digital transformation strategies, she’s making SAAHIP more digitally agile.
- Policy and advocacy: She’s not afraid to speak truth to power—expect strong policy advocacy for the role of pharmacists in the NHI and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Dr Seshnee Moodley isn’t just the new face of SAAHIP leadership. She represents the soul of a new era—one rooted in unity, innovation, and heart-led change.
So to every hospital pharmacist, pharmacy student, and policy maker reading this: watch this space.
A revolution in institutional pharmacy is on the horizon. And at the front of that movement stands a humble powerhouse named Dr Seshnee Moodley.
Let’s rally behind her.
Let’s co-create the future of pharmacy in South Africa.
Because, as Dr Moodley reminds us:
“As Pharmacists, our medicines expertise sets us apart from other healthcare professionals. It is indeed time for us to solidify our place again in healthcare. We are the experts on pharmaceutical matters. It’s time we stepped into the light. Our roles are diverse, yet so incredibly rewarding.
I look forward to the opportunity of leading, together with my National Executive committee, the association of the South African Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists.”
wow this is amazing