On World Family Doctor Day 2026, colleagues from the University of Cape Town’s Division of Family Medicine and Division of Interdisciplinary Palliative Care and Medicine, part of the Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care (FaCE), came together to celebrate family doctors and the central role they play in health care.
The gathering was about more than recognising the work family doctors do. It was also a chance to reflect on what it means to care, to connect with others, and to stay resilient in the spirit of Ubuntu.
The day combined fun with reflection. Word puzzles and quizzes sparked laughter and teamwork, while discussions turned to resilience, mental health and awareness. Participants considered how family doctors are seen by the public and by future colleagues, and how the discipline can be promoted as a source of resilience and hope.
Speakers shared practical ideas about building resilience. One described it as taking in the pressures of the work while learning to recover and “exhale”. Another spoke about recognising negative thoughts, whether about oneself or a situation, and working to reframe them.
A highlight of the day was a reflective tree. Each participant wrote down what resilience means to them, and their answers became the tree’s leaves. Ubuntu emerged as a recurring theme, closely tied to the idea of community-oriented primary care and the quiet strength family doctors bring to their work. As the tree filled with messages, it became a symbol of shared strength, rooted in community and growing toward collective wellbeing.
The celebration was a reminder that healing happens not only in hospitals and clinics, but also through connection, reflection and celebration. Family doctors carry more than stethoscopes: they carry stories, communities and resilience.
To every family doctor, thank you for standing on the front lines and staying rooted in care.
▶ Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DBEM5yxMG48
