Hendrik was born and raised in South Africa. After completing high school in Stellenbosch, he obtained a swimming scholarship from the University of Florida and helped the Gators finish 4th overall at the national championships in his final year. He spent four years studying towards a B.S. in Exercise Physiology which laid the groundwork for his future studies in medicine. His career swimming highlight was winning a silver medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games as part of the South African 4 x 100 freestyle relay. On his return to South Africa, he studied Medicine at Stellenbosch University and graduated in 2008.
Hendrik recently moved to Australia after spending the past 10 years working in Canada as a rural GP, emergency room doctor and GP anaesthetist. He obtained the Certification in the College of Family Physicians in Canada and was awarded the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. A generalist at heart, he enjoys seeing a diversity of patients and practices evidence-based medicine. He enjoys being active outside and is thrilled to now call the beautiful Mid-North Coast home.
He is married to Dr Lindie Verster, a family doctor who also works at LCMC. They are the proud parents of two energetic young boys.