She took home the Rising Star trophy at the 2021 Santam Women of the Future Awards in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE. Here’s what Dr Peta-Anne Browne has been up to since then.
Frustrated by an overload of information and struggling to keep track of all her patients and their individual needs, final-year medical student Peta-Anne Browne designed a diary of sorts, called The Internship Organiser. For a time, it worked well, but when Covid-19 hit South Africa she knew that a diary would no longer be enough.
The idea evolved, resulting in what is now called Wardworx, a mobile app for doctors that allows them to update patient information (such as ward and bed location) and keep track of tasks in real time.
‘I am so proud to announce that, since winning Rising Star at the Santam Women of The Future Awards, we’ve celebrated our first birthday at Wardworx and reached 4 000 downloads!’ Peta-Anne says. ‘When I entered, we were on 1 950 downloads, so the number has more than doubled. We also have a very exciting new client in the pipeline, which I am over the moon about.’
Peta-Anne believes a platform such as this is the kind of push every businesswoman needs, particularly those who are toiling away in the background. ‘Winning this award was first and foremost a source of encouragement and an acknowledgment of the hard work that went on behind the scenes, as it often does for a female entrepreneur,’ she says. ‘We very seldom take the opportunity to spoil ourselves or just reflect and say, “Wow, look how far I’ve come.”
‘It’s just been incredible, from the recognition of the award itself and the title of Rising Star, to brushing shoulders with inspiring women and receiving prizes that ranged from pamper items to educational opportunities. There was a beautiful balance of encouragement and empowerment.
‘I hope more and more businesswomen enter this competition, because it is a priceless opportunity. Stop hiding your talents and hard work! Go out there, put your name on something and you will be rewarded. Your story may be the encouragement and inspiration another woman needs. I can never thank the sponsors enough for putting so much effort into this and setting aside funding for women in business. It’s so much more than a competition – it is an opportunity for women to shine and inspire others.
‘I look forward to watching my business grow, and doing what I can to serve more and more front-line doctors in South Africa.’