About
Dr. Nicole Chilimigras, affectionately known as "Chili," is a dedicated medical professional with a strong focus on Sexual Health, Mental Health, and Queer Affirming Healthcare. Chili's impactful journey began during four transformative years in rural healthcare. Now based in Cape Town, Chili approaches healthcare with the belief that Sexual Health is a fundamental right for all, regardless of identity. By employing an intersectional lens, they create an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals can confidently share their unique experiences and concerns. Below you can read a little bit more about her background...
Currently
The Queer Affirming Queer GP
Dr Chili works as a generalist medical doctor with special interests, both online and in person. Chili is passionate about primary health care, a space they believe is full of potential - for both clinicians and the public. Chili is also involved in teaching and training workshops (for clinicians, students, schools, public). This includes sexual health as well as gender affirming health care. Chili’s sexual health network includes The South African Sexual Health Association where she is part of the Education portfolio and the Chair for the Western Cape Division. Dr Chili has been training as a credible sexual health care provider under the My Sexual Health platform since 2021. This platform provides academic training, supervision sessions with senior clinicians and an incredible multidisciplinary team.
2020-2022
Covid-19 Pandemic & placements
When the Covid -19 pandemic began, Dr Chili was working in rural Eastern Cape, until she relocated to Cape Town. Upon arriving in Cape Town, professional time was spent between private GP rooms and emergency rooms. She also did a brief stint for MSF in Gqebera to assist in the covid ward of Livingston hospital.
(In this picture you can see empty oxygen bottles strewn outside the wards during the first wave)
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2019-2021
Zithulele Hospital
Community service was completed at Zithulele hospital, in rural Eastern Cape, from March 2019 until end of february 2020. Dr Chili enjoyed their clinical experience and exposure, so she decided to stay on for a second year.
This primary health care approach has shaped the way Chili works today. The ethos that it has created, is one of a socio-psycho-bio approach, always involving a multidisciplinary team based care.
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2017-2019
A long way from home, Internship at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
Internship was completed in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. This was an invaluable exposure as a doctor and as a person. Dr Chili experienced spaces which challenged comforts and biases. This left Dr Chili with an insatiable curiosity regarding the value that exists in lesser serviced parts of our country.
2011 - 2016
Medical school
Dr. Chili is from Johannesburg, where she completed her schooling and earned her undergraduate degree in Medicine from Wits University in 2016.
Ever since graduating, Chili has been exploring different parts of your country for work as well as lifestyle.
Timeless
Birds of paradise flock together
Dr Chili is enamoured by the Strelitzia (or Bird of Paradise) and way it encompasses masculinity and femininity in a single entity.