Dr Ria Smit Preventative Health & Aesthetic medicine

About Dr Ria Smit

I grew up in Paarl and matriculated at Girls’ High School Paarl. I completed my medical degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2000. After completing my internship and community service years (Pretoria en Polokwane) I moved to the UK. I spent 2 years in the UK and then on to Canada where I lived and worked for 8 years as a general practitioner. It was during this time in Canada that I developed my interest in Women’s Health and Aesthetic Medicine. As the only female doctor in a radius of 100km, I gained lots of experience!

In 2013 I returned with my family to South Africa and settled in Paarl. Initially, I worked at the multidisciplinary breast clinic in Panorama as well as various other GP practices in this area. I soon noticed a lack of preventative healthcare – especially where it concerns women. I developed the desire to establish a beautiful, professional yet comfortable environment where women can be seen in totality. An environment where all aspects of health can be taken into account – not only the physical factors but also mental, spiritual, socio-economic, etc. We can strive towards complete wellness through preventative measures aided by medical technology and investigations, but also through lifestyle and other means. Sometimes someone just needs to be pointed in the right direction.
Aesthetic medicine completes this approach where preventative and other aesthetic treatments may ensure a fresh,natural appearance without looking unnatural.

I started my practice in 2015 in Paarl and in April 2019 I moved it to the Mooikelder Estate North of Paarl. The aesthetic beauty of the newly renovated old cellar – which gave the Estate its name – as well as the beauty and serenity of the Paarl mountains and vineyards, is the physical representation of what I had originally envisioned.

I aspire to provide women with a place where they can have all of their healthcare and aesthetic needs addressed.

Qualifications, Registrations and Memberships:

MB.Ch.B – Stellenbosch

Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada

Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine – American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine

Health Professions Council of South Africa

College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan

Member:  Aesthetic and Anti-aging Medicine Society of South Africa

Member:  Complications in Medical Aesthetics Collaborative

Member:  College of Family Physicians of Canada