Member spotlight | How Paralympian Louzanne Coetzee is redefining what it means to be a professional
When most people think of professionals, they picture doctors, lawyers, or accountants, but professionalism comes in many shapes and sizes. For Paralympian Louzanne Coetzee, it has meant breaking barriers on the athletics track, leading para sport at the University of the Free State, and showing the world that excellence is about more than titles. It is about commitment, resilience, and having the right people by your side.
That is why her partnership with Profmed feels so natural. For Louzanne, Profmed has never been just about medical cover. It has been about being seen, supported, and valued as a professional in her own right, and that recognition has been life-changing.
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When Profmed first approached Louzanne and her sighted guide Claus Kempen after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she hesitated. “I always thought Profmed was only for doctors, physios, or medical professionals,” she recalls. “When they welcomed me, it broke down barriers and gave me the confidence to know that they see me as a professional too.”
That sense of belonging was more than symbolic. It let her share Profmed with her family and community, opening doors for others who had never considered that a medical scheme could recognise their professional journeys as well.
Off the track, Louzanne is Sport Manager for para athletics at the University of the Free State. Until recently, para athletes at the university were supported on an ad hoc basis. Today, because of her leadership, there is a strategic focus on para sport and an environment where athletes feel safe and supported.
“In just over a year, I’ve seen real attitudinal change. People are more receptive and invested and athletes are getting opportunities they didn’t have before,” she explains. For Louzanne, this mirrors her own relationship with Profmed: safety, recognition, and the belief that with the right backing, professionals can thrive.
Her bond with Profmed became even more tangible when she suffered a hamstring injury in 2023. “It took months to diagnose the real problem and through that whole journey, I had Profmed just a phone call away. That meant everything,” she says.
It was a partnership that went beyond medical processes. “When I visited Profmed’s offices after winning a medal in Paris, the staff celebrated as if it was their medal too. They had walked that journey with me, and it was incredible to share the achievement with them,” Louzanne says.
More than cover
Like all professionals, Louzanne’s needs are unique. Her congenital visual impairment cannot be treated, but what matters is the support Profmed provides around it, from mental health benefits to the physiotherapy she requires as an athlete.
“I actually applied for a PMB to cover sessions with my psychologist, which was a game changer, giving me the tools to manage anxiety and focus on the future,” she explains. “Those sessions have proactively equipped me with skills I’ll use for the rest of my life, both on the track and off the track.”
That is what she values most — not simply the benefits on paper, but the thoughtfulness and care behind how Profmed approaches healthcare. “Their plans are so comprehensive, I’ve never felt anything is missing. I feel covered, and that lets me focus on what matters most,” she says.
As she prepares for the Berlin Marathon and the Cape Town Marathon, Louzanne is acutely aware of how proactive healthcare underpins her professional goals. “I’ve become much more in tune with my body since my injury, paying attention to the small signs and when I need additional support or rest, and I’ve had one of my best years because of it,” she explains.
For her, proactive health isn’t just about peak performance. It is about safeguarding the future. “Professionals, whether athletes or lawyers, live under pressure. Having access to support, whether that’s physical, emotional, or medical care, gives you confidence to plan for tomorrow.”
More than a medical scheme
What Louzanne treasures most about her journey with Profmed is the deep sense of belonging. “At this stage, Profmed feels like family,” she says. “They message to check in, they celebrate with me, they support me through setbacks — and that kind of care is rare.”
It’s in these small, consistent gestures that Louzanne has come to see the difference. Profmed isn’t just a medical scheme that processes claims; it is a community that stands alongside its members through every season. Whether it’s a quiet word of encouragement, a congratulatory message after a big win, or guidance in moments of uncertainty, she feels seen and supported in ways she never expected from her healthcare provider.
That is why she describes Profmed as different: small enough to know and care about its members personally, agile enough to innovate in ways that make a real impact, and strong enough to stand beside professionals when it matters most.
“Profmed has changed my life,” Louzanne reflects. “They’ve shown me that being a professional is not about fitting a mould or carrying a specific title. It’s about being recognised for who you are and the value you bring. For me, that sense of being truly valued is priceless.”
