About Us
Meet the Dynamic Minds Powering AGMS
SERVICE EXCELLENCE FOLLOWS WHERE PASSION UNITES
OUR ORIGIN STORY
Advanced Global Medical Solutions (AGMS) was founded in 2019 by Dr. Stephan Thaele to address the growing need for accessible and mobile medical services in South Africa, especially in the tourism and hospitality market.
The company’s first clients were remote filming crews traveling across South Africa.
AGMS quickly became a trusted name in the Filming & Media industry, hospitality industry and VIP / Private clients, and this served as the springboard to the expansion of their doctor run call out & Tele-Medicine service and coupled to their now high standard Home-based Services.
The company’s strong emphasis on concierge medical solutions came to fruition in the form of a specialist division called Concierge Medical Services, or CMS
MEET THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND AGMS
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
DR STEPHAN THAELE
Founder and CEO
Dr Stephan Thaele is the founder and CEO of AGMS and has been central to building the practice into a trusted provider of high-quality medical care.
His passion for medicine began during his school years, when he trained in Basic Life Support and volunteered with Hout Bay EMS, gaining early experience in emergency care. He graduated with distinction from Stellenbosch University in 2013, achieving 9 out of 11 distinctions, and has since worked across both public and private healthcare sectors with a focus on emergency medicine. His interests also include wilderness and expedition medicine, and he serves as a faculty member of Advanced Trauma Life Support South Africa (ATLS).
Fluent in English, Afrikaans, and German, Dr Stephan values connecting with patients from diverse backgrounds. Beyond medicine, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking and camping with his wife and two children. In 2019, he summited both Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro in the same week, reflecting the drive and determination that continue to shape his medical journey and leadership.
NADIA READ THAELE
Co-Founder
Nadia Read is the co-founder of AGMS, where she has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision and growth alongside Dr Stephan Thaele. With a strong background in financial services and international trade, she brings entrepreneurial insight and strategic direction to the healthcare sector.
In 2014, she founded LIO Global, a boutique firm specialising in investment migration, identifying and filling a niche in South Africa’s market for residency and citizenship by investment services. At AGMS, she applies her business acumen to guide the practice through a dynamic healthcare landscape, ensuring adaptability and long-term success.
Balancing her dual roles in both investment migration and healthcare, Nadia thrives on tackling new challenges, driving innovation, and building businesses that make a meaningful impact.
Dr Riesa Jansen Van Rensburg
Medical Director
Dr Riesa Jansen van Rensburg is the Medical Director at AGMS, where she plays a key leadership role in overseeing clinical services and ensuring the delivery of high-quality care across the practice.
She graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2010 and has built a career spanning emergency medicine, primary care, and critical care in both urban hospitals and remote environments.
Her work has taken her across Southern Africa, including Zambia and Malawi, where she provided essential healthcare in resource-limited settings. She also spent three years in one of Johannesburg’s busiest Intensive Care Units, gaining extensive critical care experience.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr Riesa has combined medicine with her passion for film and media, providing on-set healthcare for productions ranging from independent films to international features. In 2023, she extended this work to Australia, supporting a major British reality television show.
Her career reflects versatility and commitment, whether in intensive care, on film sets, or in remote communities.
Dr Kate Olmesdahl
Managing Medical Officer
Dr Kate Olmesdahl is the Managing Medical Officer at AGMS, where she oversees clinical services, manages the 24-hour doctor call-out division, and provides direct care and oversight to private clientele and concierge medical patients. She is committed to patient-centred, evidence-based care and places strong emphasis on open communication and shared decision-making, ensuring that every patient feels heard and supported.
She graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2018 and has since worked across emergency medicine and critical care, completing her Diploma in Primary Emergency Care in 2023. She is dedicated to the continuing development of her medical knowledge and skills, reflecting her passion for lifelong learning.
Dr Kate is particularly interested in home-based care, believing in the importance of delivering high-quality medical support in the comfort and familiarity of patients’ homes.
Outside of work, she enjoys running, hiking, and a variety of creative pursuits, with a strong love for the outdoors. She has been part of AGMS since early 2024.
Dr Azeeza Paruk
Medical Officer
Dr Azeeza Paruk has a background in paediatrics and general practice, with a special interest in aesthetic medicine and cosmetic dermatology. She is committed to evidence-based, holistic care, with patient wellbeing and safety at the core of her practice.
She graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2019 and completed an internationally accredited Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine in 2024.
Dr Azeeza is a registered medical practitioner in both South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Known for her gentle bedside manner, she is warm, empathetic, and friendly, qualities she brings both to her patients and to the AGMS team.
Outside of medicine, Dr Azeeza has a strong passion for wellness and movement, enjoying Pilates, HIIT, running, and tennis.
Dr Catherine Eltringham
Medical Officer
Dr Catherine Eltringham completed her MBChB at the University of Pretoria in 2017, followed by internship at the Pietermaritzburg Hospital Complex and community service at Rob Ferreira Hospital. She went on to work in both government and private emergency departments, completing her Diploma in Primary Emergency Care in 2021.
After relocating to Cape Town in 2024, Dr Catherine developed a strong interest in palliative care alongside her emergency medicine work. She has completed a short course in Palliative Care through the University of Cape Town, collaborates with palliative care specialists, and plans to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Palliative Care in 2026.
Outside of medicine, she leads an active lifestyle, including hiking, running and diving, and enjoys time with her family.
Dr Gemma van Huyssteen
Medical Officer
Dr. Gemma van Huyssteen qualified in 2017 and then completed a postgraduate diploma in Primary Emergency Care at the College of Medicine of South Africa. She’s currently completing a second postgraduate qualification in Dive and Hyperbaric Medicine at Stellenbosch University.
Her career began in trauma and emergency centres, where she developed skills, experience, and a passion for keeping people safe in high-risk environments. Her professional journey has taken her beyond traditional hospital settings and into the field of remote and wilderness medicine. She has worked on conservation projects as well as expedition and research vessels, and each year dedicates time to passion projects in austere environments.
She lectures internationally and is committed to lifelong learning, ensuring that her practice remains safe, relevant, and aligned with global gold standards of care. She aims to provide her patients with a sense of reassurance in moments of uncertainty and lives by the ethos of delivering the same level of care she would want for her own family.
Whether in a remote destination or a busy emergency centre, her focus remains the same: to help people feel safe and to provide exemplary care so that they can continue to push their own boundaries through travel and adventure.
Jerry-Lee Maart
Patient Liaison & Operations Manager
Jerry-Lee Maart is the Patient Liaison and Operations Manager at AGMS, where he ensures seamless operations and patient-centred service delivery.
Originally from Cape Town, he began his career in precision engineering before transitioning into medical operations and administration. The discipline and attention to detail from his engineering background remain evident in his approach to healthcare management.
Jerry has managed two large emergency practices in Cape Town, focusing on staff training, operational efficiency, and patient care. He played a key role in the team that achieved the highest patient satisfaction score in the Mediclinic Southern Africa group (2020/2021).
At AGMS, he oversees administrative systems, implements operational strategies, and ensures smooth collaboration between patients and clinical teams. Dedicated and solutions-driven, he is deeply valued for his ability to connect with patients at the frontline.
Outside of work, he is a family man and a passionate football fan.
Rashieda Sambo
Medical Administrator
Rashieda Sambo plays an integral role in supporting both patients and the AGMS clinical staff. She brings a diverse background spanning education, corporate administration, and healthcare reception.
Her career began in teaching before she transitioned to administration, later working as an accounts administrator in the corporate sector. Drawn to healthcare, she spent several years in medical reception, where her warmth and efficiency made her highly valued by patients and colleagues.
At AGMS, Rashieda is known for her professionalism, dedication, and the positivity she brings to the workplace. She balances compassion with strong organisational skills, ensuring smooth operations and a welcoming environment for patients and staff alike.