Dr. Berend Mets

Born in Indonesia of Dutch parents, Berend experienced his first plane flight at six weeks and grew up around the world in countries such as England, Holland, the Netherland Antilles and Singapore before settling in South Africa. Completing High School he studied Medicine at the University of Stellenbosch where he met his wife Ulane.

Specializing in Anesthetics in England and South Africa, Dr Mets holds Fellowships of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of both the Royal College of Surgeons in England and College of Medicine in South Africa.

Embarking on an academic career he completed a PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town, before moving to New York City to become an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Columbia University. Here he continued his research career, was in charge of residency training, and Ulane gave birth to their only son, Elbert.

A Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology, Professor Mets moved to the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine where he is now Chair of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.

In pursuit of teaching anesthesia as well as to experience the remarkable world we live in, Berend has travelled to more than eighty countries – believing that there is one universal language – respect.

Dr Mets has authored multiple texts on Anesthesia, Leadership and Education and has written two books: Waking Up Safer? An Anesthesiologist’s Record and Leadership in Anaesthesia Five Pioneers of the Deadly Quest for Surgical Insensibility.