Dr. Jon Cornelissen, born and raised in a small farming community on the West Coast of South Africa, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to orthopaedic care. His journey into medicine began after he matriculated from Hoërskool Lutzville, initially pursuing a year of Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. Realising that his true passion lay in medicine, he switched to a medical degree at Stellenbosch University, where he graduated with an MBChB in 2011.
Dr. Cornelissen’s professional experience spans across various South African provinces, starting with an internship at several hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, followed by a year of community service at Wentworth Hospital. His orthopaedic skills were further honed during his time as a Medical Officer in Orthopaedics at Frere Hospital in East London, where he gained extensive experience in orthopaedic trauma, arthroplasty, and paediatric orthopaedics.
Later, Dr. Cornelissen embarked on a registrar position at the renowned Stellenbosch University-affiliated Tygerberg Hospital’s Orthopaedic Department, where he further specialized in his field. Among his notable achievements are passing the College of Surgeons of South Africa, FCS(SA), Primary Examinations, earning the Fellowship of the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa, FC Orth (SA), intermediate with the highest mark, and achieving the highest mark with his MMed in Orthopaedic Pathology at Stellenbosch University. He completed his Orthopaedic Specialisation examination, FC Orth (SA), Cum Laude.
Dr. Cornelissen is internationally published, his dedication to advancing orthopaedic surgery is demonstrated through his research contributions, for which he received the Discovery Clinical Excellence Award, the G.T. du Toit Award, and the Advanced Orthopaedic Training Centre Best Research Award.
He pursued further sub-specialisation, completing an international fellowship at the Barts Health NHS Trust (Royal London Hospital and Barts Health Orthopaedics Centre) in London, UK, in foot and ankle surgery. This experience at one of Europe’s busiest trauma centres and the UK’s largest NHS trust significantly expanded his trauma and elective surgery expertise. He is also a faculty member of the foot and ankle sub-speciality committee of the Internationally of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT).
Beyond his professional life, Dr. Cornelissen is a devoted family man, married with two young children. He enjoys life’s simple pleasures, such as mastering the art of “braai”, savouring a glass of wine on the “stoep,” and staying active through running, hiking, or paddle skiing during his free time.
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