Dr Porter who studied at Trinity in Dublin and then came back to Groote Schuur Hospital to practise medicine, decided on Pinelands after looking across the peninsula for a potential place to set up a practice. He felt certain that the close knit community in Pinelands was the perfect location. The DNA of GP runs in his veins and his idea was to emulate his father and ‘become the best GP possible.’
He says, “I couldn’t retire until I had found the perfect candidate for my patients and to continue my practice. I still run a traditional GP practice, that is fast disappearing from modern society and I want it to continue that way. When I received Mark Stodels’ CV, I knew I had found the right person.’ It didn’t do any harm when he asked his wife, Jenny, if she knew and she replied: ‘Know him? I taught him!’
Mark Stodel was the perfect fit – not only in terms of qualifications and experience but also in terms of his passion for a family practice in a close knit community.
Dr Stodel is looking forward to looking after Dr Porters’ patients and gaining new ones. He and Dr Porter agree that as a close knit community patients become friends and part of a large family. Which is why Dr Porter is sad to say goodbye. “But he says,” I know Dr Stodel will fit comfortably into the shoes out of which I am reluctantly stepping”…
