Bertus Eksteen

Bertus Eksteen’s medical career was driven by a deep curiosity about how the human body combats disease. Born and raised in South Africa, he completed his MBChB at the University of Pretoria in 1996. His passion for expanding his knowledge led him to pursue further education abroad, where he earned a membership in the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in London in 1998 and later completed a PhD in immunology at the University of Birmingham.

2008 Bertus achieved his Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. A few years later, in 2011, the Royal College of Physicians awarded him a Fellowship (FRCP). His comprehensive clinical practice and research training set the stage for a distinguished career focused on improving patients' lives with complex, chronic diseases.

Eksteen currently leads a liver research program at the Aspen Woods Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, earning international recognition. Under his leadership, the clinic has become one of the largest global sites for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) clinical trials. The clinic serves a vast region, including Southern Alberta, eastern British Columbia, and western Saskatchewan, and partners with biotech companies to advance new treatments for PSC.

Beyond his clinical work, Bertus contributes to the Southern Alberta Liver Transplant Clinic at Foothills Hospital in Calgary. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary, where he mentors future gastroenterologists and hepatologists, shaping the next generation of medical professionals.

Eksteen’s scientific contributions have had a significant impact. His early research into mucosal T-cells in diseases such as PSC and IBD provided groundbreaking insights into how immune cells from the gut attack the liver. He also united a PSC patient cohort of over 400 individuals, which contributed to discovering new genetic risk factors for the disease.

As a Principal Investigator, Bertus has secured significant research funding and led several initiatives on chronic diseases. His work in clinical imaging has transformed how early-stage PSC and IBD are detected, improving patient outcomes.

Bertus Eksteen remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of clinical care and medical research. His contributions continue to shape the future of healthcare, and his ongoing efforts ensure that his work benefits patients worldwide.