Qualified as Medical Doctor (MBChB) from UP in 1991. Proceeded to work in the Dept of Family & Emergency Medicine Unit at Kalafong and Pretoria Academic Hosp obtaining MMed in Family Medicine in 2000.

Also worked as Supervising Medical Officer with Gauteng Emergency Medical Services and obtained a Diploma in Primary Emergency Care (the highest qualification in Emergency Medicine in South Africa at the time.

Dr vd Merwe then spent the next 5 years in Canada, working in various major Emergency Departments in Manitoba and British Columbia, gaining valuable experience.

After returning to South Africa, Dr vd Merwe spent the next 10 years in various Emergency Departments in Pretoria, before successfully taking over the newly established Mediclinic Midstream Emergency Centre. After 5 years at Midstream, he teamed up with colleagues, Dr Bianca Vermeulen and Dr Schalk Augustyn, opening up the brand-new Raslouw Private Hospital Accident & Emergency Department.

Dr van der Merwe is also a qualified Airline Transport Pilot flying for an Air Ambulance Service in his spare time.