2025 UCT Paediatric Refresher Course Speakers
Dr Nazneen Allie
Dr Nazneen Allie is a consultant paediatric cardiologist at Tygerberg Hospital and a member of the Western Cape Paediatric Cardiology Services. She completed both her paediatric and paediatric cardiology training at the University of Cape Town and Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Dr. Allie has a keen interest in paediatric heart transplantation and interventional cardiology, where she brings specialized expertise and dedication to advancing cardiac care for young patients. Her work is instrumental in supporting children with complex heart conditions across the region. Dr Nazneen Allie
Dr Nazneen Allie is a consultant paediatric cardiologist at Tygerberg Hospital and a member of the Western Cape Paediatric Cardiology Services. She completed both her paediatric and paediatric cardiology training at the University of Cape Town and Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Dr. Allie has a keen interest in paediatric heart transplantation and interventional cardiology, where she brings specialized expertise and dedication to advancing cardiac care for young patients. Her work is instrumental in supporting children with complex heart conditions across the region.
Dr Claude Bailly
Claude did undergraduate medical training at the University of the Free State and completed his training in medical genetics at the University of Witwatersrand in 2019. He has been a consultant at Tygerberg Hospital from 2022. He enjoys providing training medical to medical students and registrars. Dr Claude Bailly
Claude did undergraduate medical training at the University of the Free State and completed his training in medical genetics at the University of Witwatersrand in 2019. He has been a consultant at Tygerberg Hospital from 2022. He enjoys providing training medical to medical students and registrars.
Dr Andre Brooks
Dr Andre Brooks is a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive experience in both adult and paediatric congenital cardiac surgery. He obtained his MBChB from the University of Stellenbosch in 1993 and completed his initial residency at the PE Provincial Hospital. Furthering his expertise, he trained as a visiting specialist registrar in Edinburgh in 1997 before completing his cardiothoracic fellowship (FCS(SA)(Cardio)) at the University of Cape Town in 2003. Dr Brooks expanded his paediatric surgical training at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in the UK in 2006. He currently serves as a consultant surgeon at the University of Cape Town, with appointments at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital. His professional interests include adult congenital surgery, all aspects of paediatric congenital surgery, and enhancing congenital cardiac services in developing countries. Dr Andre Brooks
Dr Andre Brooks is a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive experience in both adult and paediatric congenital cardiac surgery. He obtained his MBChB from the University of Stellenbosch in 1993 and completed his initial residency at the PE Provincial Hospital. Furthering his expertise, he trained as a visiting specialist registrar in Edinburgh in 1997 before completing his cardiothoracic fellowship (FCS(SA)(Cardio)) at the University of Cape Town in 2003. Dr Brooks expanded his paediatric surgical training at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in the UK in 2006. He currently serves as a consultant surgeon at the University of Cape Town, with appointments at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital. His professional interests include adult congenital surgery, all aspects of paediatric congenital surgery, and enhancing congenital cardiac services in developing countries.
Dr Sally-Ann Clur
Sally-Ann Clur completed her medical, pediatric and subspeciality in pediatric cardiology training at the University of the Witwatersrand, South-Africa. Despite working as an interventional pediatric cardiologist for many years, her current interests are fetal cardiology and inherited arrhythmias. She works at the Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC) in The Netherlands. Sally-Ann is the head of fetal cardiology in the CAHAL (Center for congenital heart defects Amsterdam-Leiden). The CAHAL is one of the largest academic units in The Netherlands providing all aspects of cardiac care from fetus to adult with the exception cardiac transplantation. Following the relatively late introduction of the Dutch national program screening for fetal defects in 2007, The Netherlands now has one of the best prenatal detection rates for cardiac defects world-wide. The AUMC is also recognized as a center of expertise for inheritable arrhythmias and has the largest clinical practice for patients with long QT syndrome in the Netherlands. Most of the fetuses/ children are under Sally-Ann’s care. She is the cardiac advisor to the Dutch expertise group for SIDS, and has been the scientific secretary and remains an active member of the Association of European Pediatric Cardiologists (AEPC) fetal working group. Dr Sally-Ann Clur
Sally-Ann Clur completed her medical, pediatric and subspeciality in pediatric cardiology training at the University of the Witwatersrand, South-Africa. Despite working as an interventional pediatric cardiologist for many years, her current interests are fetal cardiology and inherited arrhythmias. She works at the Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC) in The Netherlands. Sally-Ann is the head of fetal cardiology in the CAHAL (Center for congenital heart defects Amsterdam-Leiden). The CAHAL is one of the largest academic units in The Netherlands providing all aspects of cardiac care from fetus to adult with the exception cardiac transplantation. Following the relatively late introduction of the Dutch national program screening for fetal defects in 2007, The Netherlands now has one of the best prenatal detection rates for cardiac defects world-wide. The AUMC is also recognized as a center of expertise for inheritable arrhythmias and has the largest clinical practice for patients with long QT syndrome in the Netherlands. Most of the fetuses/ children are under Sally-Ann’s care. She is the cardiac advisor to the Dutch expertise group for SIDS, and has been the scientific secretary and remains an active member of the Association of European Pediatric Cardiologists (AEPC) fetal working group.
Dr George Comitis
George Comitis is a Paediatric Cardiologist based at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the Western Cape Paediatric Cardiology Service. He started his career training as an anaesthetist but then switched to Paediatrics qualifying in 2004. He then spent two years working in Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London before returning to South Africa to train as a Paediatric Cardiologist under Prof John Lawrenson at Red Cross Children’s Hospital qualifying in 2010. He is currently the Head of the Western Cape Paediatric Cardiology Service which is a cross-platform service between Red Cross Children’s Hospital / University of Cape Town and Tygerberg Hospital / Stellenbosch University. He also serves as Director of Echocardiography as well as being part of the Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional team at Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Dr George Comitis
George Comitis is a Paediatric Cardiologist based at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the Western Cape Paediatric Cardiology Service. He started his career training as an anaesthetist but then switched to Paediatrics qualifying in 2004. He then spent two years working in Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London before returning to South Africa to train as a Paediatric Cardiologist under Prof John Lawrenson at Red Cross Children’s Hospital qualifying in 2010. He is currently the Head of the Western Cape Paediatric Cardiology Service which is a cross-platform service between Red Cross Children’s Hospital / University of Cape Town and Tygerberg Hospital / Stellenbosch University. He also serves as Director of Echocardiography as well as being part of the Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional team at Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Dr Maureen Conradie
Maureen Conradie completed the Fellowship of the College of Medical Geneticists and received her MMed degree in Medical Genetics with Cum Laude from the University of the Free State in 2017. She worked and studied at Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein from 2012 to 2019, when the family relocated to Kimberley. Maureen was employed as a consultant in Genetics for PathCare Laboratories from 2018 to 2024 where she headed a clinician support service for hereditary and inborn conditions. She is currently running a private practice from Kimberley. She has presented at various congresses and CPD events locally, as well as internationally. Dr Maureen Conradie
Maureen Conradie completed the Fellowship of the College of Medical Geneticists and received her MMed degree in Medical Genetics with Cum Laude from the University of the Free State in 2017. She worked and studied at Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein from 2012 to 2019, when the family relocated to Kimberley. Maureen was employed as a consultant in Genetics for PathCare Laboratories from 2018 to 2024 where she headed a clinician support service for hereditary and inborn conditions. She is currently running a private practice from Kimberley. She has presented at various congresses and CPD events locally, as well as internationally.
Prof Blanche Cupido
Associate Professor Blanche Cupido is a consultant adult interventional cardiologist who has a special interest in congenital heart disease, cardiac imaging and valvular heart disease. She completed her undergraduate medical degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2001 and subsequently specialized in internal medicine (2009) and cardiology (2013). In 2016, she did a fellowship in Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Leeds, UK. In 2017, she also completed a Certificate in Advanced Heart Failure Management from the University of Zurich and the European Cardiac Academy. She has returned to Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town and established a dedicated Adult Congenital Heart Disease unit and currently works at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT Private Academic Hospital as the Head of Echocardiography and the Clinical Lead for Adult Congenital Heart Disease. In 2020, she was elected as one of the Inaugural winners of the Women as One Escalator award. She was previously selected as the UCT TAU (Teaching Advancements in Universities) Fellow. She is a President of SA Heart. She is a Fellow to the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow to the European Society of Cardiology. She currently serves as treasurer for the International ACHD society. Prof Blanche Cupido
Associate Professor Blanche Cupido is a consultant adult interventional cardiologist who has a special interest in congenital heart disease, cardiac imaging and valvular heart disease. She completed her undergraduate medical degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2001 and subsequently specialized in internal medicine (2009) and cardiology (2013). In 2016, she did a fellowship in Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Leeds, UK. In 2017, she also completed a Certificate in Advanced Heart Failure Management from the University of Zurich and the European Cardiac Academy. She has returned to Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town and established a dedicated Adult Congenital Heart Disease unit and currently works at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT Private Academic Hospital as the Head of Echocardiography and the Clinical Lead for Adult Congenital Heart Disease. In 2020, she was elected as one of the Inaugural winners of the Women as One Escalator award. She was previously selected as the UCT TAU (Teaching Advancements in Universities) Fellow. She is a President of SA Heart. She is a Fellow to the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow to the European Society of Cardiology. She currently serves as treasurer for the International ACHD society. Prof Petrus de Vries
Prof Petrus de Vries is the Struengmann Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Founding Director of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) at the University of Cape Town. He trained in Medicine at Stellenbosch University in South Africa before moving to the UK where he completed his clinical training in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and a PhD in Developmental Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. He returned to South Africa in 2012. Since his return to Africa, his research has focused on global autism, neurodevelopmental and child & adolescent mental health and on implementation science in low- and middle-income settings. Prof Petrus de Vries
Prof Petrus de Vries is the Struengmann Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Founding Director of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) at the University of Cape Town. He trained in Medicine at Stellenbosch University in South Africa before moving to the UK where he completed his clinical training in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and a PhD in Developmental Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. He returned to South Africa in 2012. Since his return to Africa, his research has focused on global autism, neurodevelopmental and child & adolescent mental health and on implementation science in low- and middle-income settings.
Prof Kirsten Donald
Kirsten Donald is a professor in paediatric neurology with an interest in developmental disabilities as they manifest in resource-limited settings, such as South Africa. Donald has a permanent faculty appointment in the Division of Developmental Paediatrics (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health) at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and University of Cape Town. She heads a clinical service that sees both common and rare complex multisystemic disorders (autism, genetic syndromes with associated developmental problems and cerebral palsy, among others). The service operates in the region of 60 clinics a month, with more than 4,000 clinic visits a year. Donald’s specific research interests include the effects of maternal mental health on the development of their infants, as well as preventable causes of neurodisability, such as alcohol and methamphetamine exposure, organophosphate poisoning and the neurological and neurocognitive complications of HIV. Her ongoing research has focused on using multiple imaging methods, including structural, functional and diffusion imaging, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to facilitate a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and genetic risk factors associated with depression, as well as substance exposure and other paediatric exposures prevalent in the South African setting. Prof Kirsten Donald
Kirsten Donald is a professor in paediatric neurology with an interest in developmental disabilities as they manifest in resource-limited settings, such as South Africa. Donald has a permanent faculty appointment in the Division of Developmental Paediatrics (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health) at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and University of Cape Town. She heads a clinical service that sees both common and rare complex multisystemic disorders (autism, genetic syndromes with associated developmental problems and cerebral palsy, among others). The service operates in the region of 60 clinics a month, with more than 4,000 clinic visits a year. Donald’s specific research interests include the effects of maternal mental health on the development of their infants, as well as preventable causes of neurodisability, such as alcohol and methamphetamine exposure, organophosphate poisoning and the neurological and neurocognitive complications of HIV. Her ongoing research has focused on using multiple imaging methods, including structural, functional and diffusion imaging, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to facilitate a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and genetic risk factors associated with depression, as well as substance exposure and other paediatric exposures prevalent in the South African setting.
Karen Fieggen
Karen Fieggen is an Associate Professor and subspecialist medical geneticist at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. She trained as a paediatrician and later specialised as a subspecialist medical geneticist at the University of Cape Town and its affiliated hospitals. Her primary focus is clinical work, leading a dedicated team of medical genetic doctors, genetic counsellors, and genetic nurses in providing comprehensive medical genetic services to patients and families across the lifespan. Her professional interests include monogenic disorders in South Africa, the holistic care of children with genetic disorders within the South African and African contexts, and the clinical utility of genetic testing.
Karen Fieggen
Karen Fieggen is an Associate Professor and subspecialist medical geneticist at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. She trained as a paediatrician and later specialised as a subspecialist medical geneticist at the University of Cape Town and its affiliated hospitals. Her primary focus is clinical work, leading a dedicated team of medical genetic doctors, genetic counsellors, and genetic nurses in providing comprehensive medical genetic services to patients and families across the lifespan. Her professional interests include monogenic disorders in South Africa, the holistic care of children with genetic disorders within the South African and African contexts, and the clinical utility of genetic testing.
Dr Barend Fourie
Dr Barend Fourie is a paediatric cardiologist at Tygerberg Hospital and a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University. His clinical and academic interests focus on interventional cardiology and cardiac imaging, with a special emphasis on Cardiac MRI. Dr Barend Fourie
Dr Barend Fourie is a paediatric cardiologist at Tygerberg Hospital and a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University. His clinical and academic interests focus on interventional cardiology and cardiac imaging, with a special emphasis on Cardiac MRI. Dr Adele Greyling
Dr Greyling is an electrophysiologist and paediatric cardiologist in Cape Town. She qualified form the University of Pretoria in 1999, specialized in paediatrics in the UK and paediatric cardiology in Port Elizabeth. Thereafter she did a fellowship in both adult and paediatric invasive electrophysiology and implantable cardiac devices in Leuven, Belgium. She obtained European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) accreditation in implantable cardiac devices in 2015 and invasive electrophysiology in 2016. She enjoys performing all invasive electrophysiology procedures and cardiac ablation with a special interest in arrhythmia management in congenital heart disease. She is based at Mediclinic Vergelegen but also has an appointment as an honorary consultant at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about education and improving patient awareness and access to EP services. She is a member of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) and currently the president of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA). Dr Adele Greyling
Dr Greyling is an electrophysiologist and paediatric cardiologist in Cape Town. She qualified form the University of Pretoria in 1999, specialized in paediatrics in the UK and paediatric cardiology in Port Elizabeth. Thereafter she did a fellowship in both adult and paediatric invasive electrophysiology and implantable cardiac devices in Leuven, Belgium. She obtained European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) accreditation in implantable cardiac devices in 2015 and invasive electrophysiology in 2016. She enjoys performing all invasive electrophysiology procedures and cardiac ablation with a special interest in arrhythmia management in congenital heart disease. She is based at Mediclinic Vergelegen but also has an appointment as an honorary consultant at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about education and improving patient awareness and access to EP services. She is a member of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) and currently the president of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA).
Tony Hawkridge
Tony Hawkridge is a Public Health Medicine Specialist. He holds an MSc in Community Paediatrics from the University of the Witwatersrand. He currently works at Vaccines for Africa (VACFA), IDM, UCT. Over the last decade he has held several senior management posts in the provincial health department, Western Cape, most recently that of Director of Health for the West Coast District. His professional interests include vaccines and immunisation, and specifically the quest for a better TB vaccine. Tony Hawkridge
Tony Hawkridge is a Public Health Medicine Specialist. He holds an MSc in Community Paediatrics from the University of the Witwatersrand. He currently works at Vaccines for Africa (VACFA), IDM, UCT. Over the last decade he has held several senior management posts in the provincial health department, Western Cape, most recently that of Director of Health for the West Coast District. His professional interests include vaccines and immunisation, and specifically the quest for a better TB vaccine.
Prof Chris Hendriksz
Chris Hendriksz qualified as a medical doctor in South Africa in 1985 from the University of Pretoria. He completed his Master’s degree in Sports Medicine at the same university. Following a rare disease diagnosis of his own child, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he continued his studies, becoming an expert in inborn errors of metabolism across all ages. He obtained his MRCP and FRCPCH with subspecialty registration after training at the world renowned Willink Unit in Manchester, UK. He spent 22 years in the UK National Health Service in various roles leading both pediatric Birmingham Children’s Hospital and adult Salford Royal NHS foundation trusts rare disease centres with patient populations in excess of 1500 at each unit. Currently, he is an Extraordinary Professor of Human Metabolomics at North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa, and an Extraordinary Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Steve Biko Academic Unit, University of Pretoria. He was employed by Nestlé Health Science as the Global Clinical Development Lead for Rare Diseases, IEM, and Innovative Pharmaceuticals until his retirement at the end of March 2024. Post-retirement, he will continue his lifelong passion for medical education and supporting rare disease service developments in low- and middle-income countries. He is currently the Chief Community Impact officer for A Rare Cause, a non-profit organization based in England that educates clinicians on rare disease management in more than 50 countries, with the list growing yearly. This creates “hope for those with the least chance of being recognized,” in his own words. He also provides expert knowledge as a consultant for FYMCA Medical Ltd, a family-owned company, to patient organizations, foundations, regulators, and payors in his field of expertise. His publication list includes more than 250 works, with the majority focusing on rare disease. He has numerous publications related to clinical trials, quality of life, clinical guidelines, and review papers, as well as several book chapters in the field of inborn errors of metabolism.
Prof Chris Hendriksz
Chris Hendriksz qualified as a medical doctor in South Africa in 1985 from the University of Pretoria. He completed his Master’s degree in Sports Medicine at the same university. Following a rare disease diagnosis of his own child, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he continued his studies, becoming an expert in inborn errors of metabolism across all ages. He obtained his MRCP and FRCPCH with subspecialty registration after training at the world renowned Willink Unit in Manchester, UK. He spent 22 years in the UK National Health Service in various roles leading both pediatric Birmingham Children’s Hospital and adult Salford Royal NHS foundation trusts rare disease centres with patient populations in excess of 1500 at each unit. Currently, he is an Extraordinary Professor of Human Metabolomics at North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa, and an Extraordinary Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Steve Biko Academic Unit, University of Pretoria. He was employed by Nestlé Health Science as the Global Clinical Development Lead for Rare Diseases, IEM, and Innovative Pharmaceuticals until his retirement at the end of March 2024. Post-retirement, he will continue his lifelong passion for medical education and supporting rare disease service developments in low- and middle-income countries. He is currently the Chief Community Impact officer for A Rare Cause, a non-profit organization based in England that educates clinicians on rare disease management in more than 50 countries, with the list growing yearly. This creates “hope for those with the least chance of being recognized,” in his own words. He also provides expert knowledge as a consultant for FYMCA Medical Ltd, a family-owned company, to patient organizations, foundations, regulators, and payors in his field of expertise. His publication list includes more than 250 works, with the majority focusing on rare disease. He has numerous publications related to clinical trials, quality of life, clinical guidelines, and review papers, as well as several book chapters in the field of inborn errors of metabolism.
Prof Anria Horn
A/Prof Anria Horn is a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon based at Red Cross Children’s Hospital. She completed her post-graduate studies at UCT followed by a fellowship in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. She heads the orthopaedic cerebral palsy service at Red Cross and works in close collaboration with the neurodevelopmental team as well as various therapists involved in the care of these patients and performs over 100 orthopaedic procedures for patients with cerebral palsy per year. In addition to her work with children with cerebral palsy, Prof Horn treats the entire spectrum of paediatric orthopaedic conditions, she is undergraduate convener for Orthopaedic Surgery at UCT and has more than 20 peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals. Prof Anria Horn
A/Prof Anria Horn is a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon based at Red Cross Children’s Hospital. She completed her post-graduate studies at UCT followed by a fellowship in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. She heads the orthopaedic cerebral palsy service at Red Cross and works in close collaboration with the neurodevelopmental team as well as various therapists involved in the care of these patients and performs over 100 orthopaedic procedures for patients with cerebral palsy per year. In addition to her work with children with cerebral palsy, Prof Horn treats the entire spectrum of paediatric orthopaedic conditions, she is undergraduate convener for Orthopaedic Surgery at UCT and has more than 20 peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals.
Prof Sharon Kling
Sharon Kling is an emeritus associate professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and part-time lecturer and project consultant in the Division of Medical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University. She is a member of the Tygerberg Hospital Clinical Ethics Committee, the FMHS Undergraduate Research Ethics Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Allergy Society of South Africa. She is passionate about paediatric ethics and her research interest is clinical ethics committees and consultation. Prof Sharon Kling
Sharon Kling is an emeritus associate professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and part-time lecturer and project consultant in the Division of Medical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University. She is a member of the Tygerberg Hospital Clinical Ethics Committee, the FMHS Undergraduate Research Ethics Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Allergy Society of South Africa. She is passionate about paediatric ethics and her research interest is clinical ethics committees and consultation.
Dr Lindsay Lambie
Lindsay is a Paediatrician and Medical Geneticist. Lindsay worked at the NHLS and Wits in the Human Genetics Division as a consultant for 10 years, before moving to the Private sector, at Ampath’s National Reference Laboratory, in 2018. She has particular interests in paediatric genetics, reproductive genetics and neurogenetics, and the use of new genetic techniques in the diagnosis of constitutional genetic disorders. Dr Lindsay Lambie
Lindsay is a Paediatrician and Medical Geneticist. Lindsay worked at the NHLS and Wits in the Human Genetics Division as a consultant for 10 years, before moving to the Private sector, at Ampath’s National Reference Laboratory, in 2018. She has particular interests in paediatric genetics, reproductive genetics and neurogenetics, and the use of new genetic techniques in the diagnosis of constitutional genetic disorders.
Luke Lamprecht
Luke Lamprecht is a Child Protection and Development Specialist, with 32 years of experience in the NPO field. He has worked with organisations including Lefika La Phodiso: The Art Therapy Centre, The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children, Johannesburg Child Welfare, Childline, Bigshoes and the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counseling Centre. He is also a director at Fight With Insight: a boxing gym based at the Children’s Memorial Institute in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, where he coaches inner-city children. As a Child Protection and Development Specialist, Luke works with children in conflict with the law, children with autism, and children with behavioural challenges and psychiatric diagnoses. As an expert and consultant, he convenes the Johannesburg Child Advocacy Forum, heads up Women and Men Abuse’s Advocacy Division and is the case supervisor for the Shaken and Abused Baby Initiative: Babies Matter. He consults to the founder of the South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse compiled the protocol for Child Protection for the Gauteng Province for child protection professionals under the University of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Social Development.. Lamprecht regularly conducts talks and training sessions on social cohesion, servitude leadership, BEING MAN, child protection and development, health, mental health, disability, cyber-development and sexuality under Brain Mechanics. He is currently completing an MSc in Neurodevelopment at Wits and has an Advanced Health Management qualification from FPD and Yale University. Luke Lamprecht
Luke Lamprecht is a Child Protection and Development Specialist, with 32 years of experience in the NPO field. He has worked with organisations including Lefika La Phodiso: The Art Therapy Centre, The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children, Johannesburg Child Welfare, Childline, Bigshoes and the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counseling Centre. He is also a director at Fight With Insight: a boxing gym based at the Children’s Memorial Institute in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, where he coaches inner-city children. As a Child Protection and Development Specialist, Luke works with children in conflict with the law, children with autism, and children with behavioural challenges and psychiatric diagnoses. As an expert and consultant, he convenes the Johannesburg Child Advocacy Forum, heads up Women and Men Abuse’s Advocacy Division and is the case supervisor for the Shaken and Abused Baby Initiative: Babies Matter. He consults to the founder of the South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse compiled the protocol for Child Protection for the Gauteng Province for child protection professionals under the University of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Social Development.. Lamprecht regularly conducts talks and training sessions on social cohesion, servitude leadership, BEING MAN, child protection and development, health, mental health, disability, cyber-development and sexuality under Brain Mechanics. He is currently completing an MSc in Neurodevelopment at Wits and has an Advanced Health Management qualification from FPD and Yale University.
John Lawrenson
John Lawrenson is a paediatric cardiologist now in semi-retirement after 30 years working as a clinician and teacher. His interests include cardiac imaging, rheumatic heart disease and the epidemiology of heart disease. He is part of the Children’s Heart Disease research unit at the University of Cape Town. John Lawrenson
John Lawrenson is a paediatric cardiologist now in semi-retirement after 30 years working as a clinician and teacher. His interests include cardiac imaging, rheumatic heart disease and the epidemiology of heart disease. He is part of the Children’s Heart Disease research unit at the University of Cape Town.
Dr Sashmi Moodley
Dr. Moodley is a Paediatrician and a Sub Specialist in Developmental Paediatrics consulting at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa. As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, she teaches and practises with a family centred approach, holding a Master’s degree in understanding the quality of life and experiences of families caring for children with neurodiversity and disability, particularly during crisis. Her research has also explored the resilience in families during the COVID 19 pandemic, both of which have been presented at national and international congresses. She also obtained a Master’s in Paediatrics where she explored rare primary immunodeficiencies in children. She serves on the secretarial board of International Developmental Paediatrics Association and was instrumental in organizing their 2023 congress hosted in Africa. With a commitment to vulnerable South Africa communities, Dr Moodley has established outreach services and remains active in collaborating with multidisciplinary therapeutic teams, non-governmental organizations as well as the educational services. She enjoys consulting in her private capacity at Constantiaberg Mediclinic and is on the Board of Directors supporting the voices of children on RX Radio. Dr Sashmi Moodley
Dr. Moodley is a Paediatrician and a Sub Specialist in Developmental Paediatrics consulting at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa. As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, she teaches and practises with a family centred approach, holding a Master’s degree in understanding the quality of life and experiences of families caring for children with neurodiversity and disability, particularly during crisis. Her research has also explored the resilience in families during the COVID 19 pandemic, both of which have been presented at national and international congresses. She also obtained a Master’s in Paediatrics where she explored rare primary immunodeficiencies in children. She serves on the secretarial board of International Developmental Paediatrics Association and was instrumental in organizing their 2023 congress hosted in Africa. With a commitment to vulnerable South Africa communities, Dr Moodley has established outreach services and remains active in collaborating with multidisciplinary therapeutic teams, non-governmental organizations as well as the educational services. She enjoys consulting in her private capacity at Constantiaberg Mediclinic and is on the Board of Directors supporting the voices of children on RX Radio.
Prof Rudzani Muloiwa
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Prof. Rudzani Muloiwa trained as a paediatrician at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, obtaining a Fellowship in Paediatrics from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) in 2004. He then went on to complete an MSc in Public Health for Developing Countries at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). His primary area of interest is infectious diseases, with a special focus on vaccine-preventable diseases. Currently, he is a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and oversees the Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Clinical Services at Groote Schuur Hospital. Over the past three years, he has held roles as both Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs and, more recently, as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT. He is also a member of the Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA), based within the School of Public Health and Family Medicine at UCT. Since 2017, A/Prof Muloiwa has served as a member of the South African National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and as a steering committee member of the Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI). Additionally, he has served on the Board of World Vision South Africa since 2012. Furthermore, Prof. Muloiwa has authored and co-authored 69 publications in respected peer-reviewed journals and has contributed chapters to several medical books. Prof Rudzani Muloiwa
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Prof. Rudzani Muloiwa trained as a paediatrician at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, obtaining a Fellowship in Paediatrics from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) in 2004. He then went on to complete an MSc in Public Health for Developing Countries at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). His primary area of interest is infectious diseases, with a special focus on vaccine-preventable diseases. Currently, he is a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and oversees the Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Clinical Services at Groote Schuur Hospital. Over the past three years, he has held roles as both Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs and, more recently, as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT. He is also a member of the Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA), based within the School of Public Health and Family Medicine at UCT. Since 2017, A/Prof Muloiwa has served as a member of the South African National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and as a steering committee member of the Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI). Additionally, he has served on the Board of World Vision South Africa since 2012. Furthermore, Prof. Muloiwa has authored and co-authored 69 publications in respected peer-reviewed journals and has contributed chapters to several medical books.
Dr Serini Murugasen
Dr. Serini Murugasen is a Fellow in Paediatric Neurology at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cape Town. Her professional interests include child neurology and neurodevelopment, the genetics of childhood neurological conditions, public health and the ethics of childcare. With a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in her field, Dr. Murugasen has authored and co-authored twelve publications in respected peer-reviewed journals. Her work contributes significantly to the understanding and treatment of neurological conditions affecting children, and her dedication to both clinical practice and academic mentorship supports the development of pediatric neurology expertise within South Africa. Dr Serini Murugasen
Dr. Serini Murugasen is a Fellow in Paediatric Neurology at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cape Town. Her professional interests include child neurology and neurodevelopment, the genetics of childhood neurological conditions, public health and the ethics of childcare. With a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in her field, Dr. Murugasen has authored and co-authored twelve publications in respected peer-reviewed journals. Her work contributes significantly to the understanding and treatment of neurological conditions affecting children, and her dedication to both clinical practice and academic mentorship supports the development of pediatric neurology expertise within South Africa.
Dr Veruschka Ramanjam
Dr Veruschka Ramanjam is a Paediatrician and sub-specialist in Neuro-Development working at 2 Military Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the University of Cape Town. She is a full-time clinician as well as an undergraduate and post graduate teacher and examiner at UCT faculty of Medicine and the College of Medicine of South Africa. Dr Ramanjam is one of the founding members of the multidisciplinary clinic for Neurofibromatosis (a Neuro-genetic condition) at Red Cross War Memorial. She is an executive member of the Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Association of South Africa (PANDA), a member of the African Child Neurology association, the International Child Neurology Association and the International Developmental Paediatric Association. Dr Veruschka Ramanjam
Dr Veruschka Ramanjam is a Paediatrician and sub-specialist in Neuro-Development working at 2 Military Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the University of Cape Town. She is a full-time clinician as well as an undergraduate and post graduate teacher and examiner at UCT faculty of Medicine and the College of Medicine of South Africa. Dr Ramanjam is one of the founding members of the multidisciplinary clinic for Neurofibromatosis (a Neuro-genetic condition) at Red Cross War Memorial. She is an executive member of the Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Association of South Africa (PANDA), a member of the African Child Neurology association, the International Child Neurology Association and the International Developmental Paediatric Association.
Dr Mark Richards
Dr. Mark Richards is a neurodevelopmental paediatrician at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. He moved there full time in 2020 and before that worked as a general paediatrician at New Somerset Hospital, interests split between the world of the NICU and rural hospital support. Supporting children with autism and their families now forms a large part of his clinical work, with one hand still on knowledge translation and supporting primary care services. Spare time involves mooching with children and running shoes. Dr Mark Richards
Dr. Mark Richards is a neurodevelopmental paediatrician at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. He moved there full time in 2020 and before that worked as a general paediatrician at New Somerset Hospital, interests split between the world of the NICU and rural hospital support. Supporting children with autism and their families now forms a large part of his clinical work, with one hand still on knowledge translation and supporting primary care services. Spare time involves mooching with children and running shoes.
Dr Liani Smit
Liani Smit is a Cape Town-based specialist Clinical Geneticist dedicated to advancing genetic care in Southern Africa’s private healthcare sector. She completed her undergraduate training and postgraduate specialisation at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, graduating cum laude in both degrees. In her private practice, Liani provides comprehensive genetic consultations to individuals and families across all age groups, with a particular focus on prenatal and paediatric genetics. She also consults to PathCare and Unistel Medical Laboratories, offering expertise in the application and interpretation of advanced genomic diagnostics while promoting the integration of genetic services within multidisciplinary healthcare settings. Liani is passionate about delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. She strives to ensure patients receive accurate information that improves outcomes and empowers families to make informed decisions. Dr Liani Smit
Liani Smit is a Cape Town-based specialist Clinical Geneticist dedicated to advancing genetic care in Southern Africa’s private healthcare sector. She completed her undergraduate training and postgraduate specialisation at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, graduating cum laude in both degrees. In her private practice, Liani provides comprehensive genetic consultations to individuals and families across all age groups, with a particular focus on prenatal and paediatric genetics. She also consults to PathCare and Unistel Medical Laboratories, offering expertise in the application and interpretation of advanced genomic diagnostics while promoting the integration of genetic services within multidisciplinary healthcare settings. Liani is passionate about delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. She strives to ensure patients receive accurate information that improves outcomes and empowers families to make informed decisions.
Dr John Stirling
Interventional Paediatric Cardiologist at Star Children’s Hospital, Auckland New Zealand. Sub speciality interest in cardiac CT scanning in infants and children. Dr John Stirling
Interventional Paediatric Cardiologist at Star Children’s Hospital, Auckland New Zealand. Sub speciality interest in cardiac CT scanning in infants and children.
Dr Lenise Swanson
Dr Lenise Swanson completed her diploma in Child Health and Development in 2006, after which she undertook her training as a general paediatrician at Tygerberg Hospital – graduating with a fellowship degree in paediatrics from the College Of Medicine of South Africa in 2012. During this time she also conducted a research project in the field of childhood nutrition for which she was awarded both an academic prize for research excellence and a Master of Medicine degree from Stellenbosch University in 2013. She has since completed her subspecialist training in Paediatric Cardiology at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in 2017 and joined the CHRDU on a part-time basis in the same year. Dr Swanson’s primary role within the unit is to provide the clinical data input required for the IQIC project as well as perform clinical duties. Dr Lenise Swanson
Dr Lenise Swanson completed her diploma in Child Health and Development in 2006, after which she undertook her training as a general paediatrician at Tygerberg Hospital – graduating with a fellowship degree in paediatrics from the College Of Medicine of South Africa in 2012. During this time she also conducted a research project in the field of childhood nutrition for which she was awarded both an academic prize for research excellence and a Master of Medicine degree from Stellenbosch University in 2013. She has since completed her subspecialist training in Paediatric Cardiology at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in 2017 and joined the CHRDU on a part-time basis in the same year. Dr Swanson’s primary role within the unit is to provide the clinical data input required for the IQIC project as well as perform clinical duties.
Dr Clare Thompson
Clare graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with an MB ChB in 1983. She joined the Division of Neonatal Medicine in a part time research position in 1989. Her clinical field of interest in infant and early childhood Neurodevelopment grew from her research work in this field. Her publications include local outcome of the preterm infant and the term infant survivor of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Both these areas of interest formed the basis of her MD thesis in 2001. She has worked for more than 30 years following NICU graduates from the neonatal units at Groote Schuur Hospital and Mowbray Maternity Hospital. She also worked, until 2022, at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in the Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Clinics where she cared for NICU graduates with long term neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr Clare Thompson
Clare graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with an MB ChB in 1983. She joined the Division of Neonatal Medicine in a part time research position in 1989. Her clinical field of interest in infant and early childhood Neurodevelopment grew from her research work in this field. Her publications include local outcome of the preterm infant and the term infant survivor of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Both these areas of interest formed the basis of her MD thesis in 2001. She has worked for more than 30 years following NICU graduates from the neonatal units at Groote Schuur Hospital and Mowbray Maternity Hospital. She also worked, until 2022, at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in the Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Clinics where she cared for NICU graduates with long term neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Prof Mark Tomlinson
Professor Mark Tomlinson is the Co-Director of the Institute for Life Course Health Research Stellenbosch University. He is also Professor of Maternal and Child Health in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast, UK. His scholarly work has focussed on how to improve early childhood development, child and adolescent mental health, maternal mental health, and developing life course approaches to improving health and wellbeing. He was elected as a member of the Academy of Science in South Africa in 2017. He has published over 380 papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited four books and written numerous chapters. Prof Mark Tomlinson
Professor Mark Tomlinson is the Co-Director of the Institute for Life Course Health Research Stellenbosch University. He is also Professor of Maternal and Child Health in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast, UK. His scholarly work has focussed on how to improve early childhood development, child and adolescent mental health, maternal mental health, and developing life course approaches to improving health and wellbeing. He was elected as a member of the Academy of Science in South Africa in 2017. He has published over 380 papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited four books and written numerous chapters.
Prof Tina-Marié Wessels
Tina-Marié Wessels is a Genetic Counsellor and the course convener of the Master’s programme in Genetic Counselling faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town. She is involved in research, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research and is part of the clinical team that provides genetic counselling services at Groote Schuur and Red Cross Children’s Hospitals. Prof Tina-Marié Wessels
Tina-Marié Wessels is a Genetic Counsellor and the course convener of the Master’s programme in Genetic Counselling faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town. She is involved in research, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research and is part of the clinical team that provides genetic counselling services at Groote Schuur and Red Cross Children’s Hospitals.
Prof Tony Westwood
Tony Westwood has been practising paediatrics for 43 years, 32 of those as a general paediatrician in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. He has been registered in the new sub-speciality of Community Paediatrics, having spent 20 years working both as a clinician and in provincial and national child health spheres. His special interests have been in reducing child mortality especially from preventable conditions such as acute diarrhoeal diseases and improving the outcomes and life experiences of children with long term conditions and their families. His Master’s thesis in 1991 described health service access of special educational settings for children, and his doctoral thesis in 2005 described a cohort of children and young adults with cystic fibrosis in Cape Town. He has been a course convener and teacher on UCT’s Post-graduate diploma in Community and General Paediatrics since its inception in 2015. He is a co-editor of ‘Child Health for All’, a standard child health textbook in southern Africa. When not practising child health, Tony likes to run and play the piano (though not at the same time). Prof Tony Westwood
Tony Westwood has been practising paediatrics for 43 years, 32 of those as a general paediatrician in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. He has been registered in the new sub-speciality of Community Paediatrics, having spent 20 years working both as a clinician and in provincial and national child health spheres. His special interests have been in reducing child mortality especially from preventable conditions such as acute diarrhoeal diseases and improving the outcomes and life experiences of children with long term conditions and their families. His Master’s thesis in 1991 described health service access of special educational settings for children, and his doctoral thesis in 2005 described a cohort of children and young adults with cystic fibrosis in Cape Town. He has been a course convener and teacher on UCT’s Post-graduate diploma in Community and General Paediatrics since its inception in 2015. He is a co-editor of ‘Child Health for All’, a standard child health textbook in southern Africa. When not practising child health, Tony likes to run and play the piano (though not at the same time).
Dr Merryn Young
Dr Young obtained her medical degree at the University of Pretoria. After completing her internship and community service in a rural area of Limpopo she continued to work as a Medical Officer in psychiatry and paediatrics, both in Limpopo and Johannesburg. She then trained in Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town and further completed the Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. She has been in private practice in Cape Town for several years and enjoys collaborating with colleagues and serving as the current convenor for the SASOP Child and Adolescent Special Interest Group (CAPSIG). Dr Merryn Young
Dr Young obtained her medical degree at the University of Pretoria. After completing her internship and community service in a rural area of Limpopo she continued to work as a Medical Officer in psychiatry and paediatrics, both in Limpopo and Johannesburg. She then trained in Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town and further completed the Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. She has been in private practice in Cape Town for several years and enjoys collaborating with colleagues and serving as the current convenor for the SASOP Child and Adolescent Special Interest Group (CAPSIG).
Prof Liesl Zühlke
Professor Zühlke is the current Vice-President Extramural Unit and Internal Portfolio at the South African Medical Research Council and directs the Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit focused on research into Children’s Heart Diseases of relevance in Africa, which includes the PROTEA project based at the Cape Heart Insitute. She has over 250 publications, conference proceedings and book chapters, her h-index is 58, she has been cited over 74 000 times and was a finalist in the Women in Science Award of South Africa. She was the 2018 recipient of the MRC/Dfid African Research Leader Award, the Winner of the NRF award for Social Impact in Research, the International Metrodora Award for Public Health and Research and the UCT Vice-Chancellors Alan Pfifer Award for research. She was recently inducted into the prestigious UCT College of Fellows, UCT’s highest academic honour and is a Member of the South African Academy of Sciences (MAssaf). She recently was inducted into The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, European Society of cardiology and American Heart Association. She is NRF B-1 rated. She has achieved the highest leadership positions within cardiology in South Africa; internationally she serves as the President of Reach, is a member of the board of World Heart Federation and Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, International scientific advisory board of Children’s Heart Link and an executive member of SAVAC (Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium). She is an active and vociferous advocate for the advancement and empowerment of equity and women in medicine: including being on the Lancet Commission for Women in Cardiovascular Disease. Prof Liesl Zühlke
Professor Zühlke is the current Vice-President Extramural Unit and Internal Portfolio at the South African Medical Research Council and directs the Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit focused on research into Children’s Heart Diseases of relevance in Africa, which includes the PROTEA project based at the Cape Heart Insitute. She has over 250 publications, conference proceedings and book chapters, her h-index is 58, she has been cited over 74 000 times and was a finalist in the Women in Science Award of South Africa. She was the 2018 recipient of the MRC/Dfid African Research Leader Award, the Winner of the NRF award for Social Impact in Research, the International Metrodora Award for Public Health and Research and the UCT Vice-Chancellors Alan Pfifer Award for research. She was recently inducted into the prestigious UCT College of Fellows, UCT’s highest academic honour and is a Member of the South African Academy of Sciences (MAssaf). She recently was inducted into The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, European Society of cardiology and American Heart Association. She is NRF B-1 rated. She has achieved the highest leadership positions within cardiology in South Africa; internationally she serves as the President of Reach, is a member of the board of World Heart Federation and Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, International scientific advisory board of Children’s Heart Link and an executive member of SAVAC (Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium). She is an active and vociferous advocate for the advancement and empowerment of equity and women in medicine: including being on the Lancet Commission for Women in Cardiovascular Disease.
Workshop Presenters
Dr Adele Greyling
Dr Adele Greyling is a paediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Mediclinic Vergelegen, Somerset West. She trained in paediatrics in the UK and South Africa before specialising in paediatric cardiology in Port Elizabeth. She then completed a two-year fellowship in Belgium, gaining expertise in invasive electrophysiology and implantable cardiac devices, with European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) accreditation in 2015 and 2016. Dr Greyling established the first electrophysiology unit in the Eastern Cape and served as Head of Clinical Unit Paediatric Cardiology at Dora Nginza Hospital. She relocated to Somerset West in 2019. She has a special interest in arrhythmias in congenital heart disease and is an Honorary Consultant at several hospitals. She has published widely and is a frequent speaker at local and international conferences. Dr Adele Greyling
Dr Adele Greyling is a paediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Mediclinic Vergelegen, Somerset West. She trained in paediatrics in the UK and South Africa before specialising in paediatric cardiology in Port Elizabeth. She then completed a two-year fellowship in Belgium, gaining expertise in invasive electrophysiology and implantable cardiac devices, with European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) accreditation in 2015 and 2016. Dr Greyling established the first electrophysiology unit in the Eastern Cape and served as Head of Clinical Unit Paediatric Cardiology at Dora Nginza Hospital. She relocated to Somerset West in 2019. She has a special interest in arrhythmias in congenital heart disease and is an Honorary Consultant at several hospitals. She has published widely and is a frequent speaker at local and international conferences.
Dr Anastasia Maw
Dr Anastasia (Sia) Maw is a Clinical Psychologist. She is a Senior Lecturer and Course Convenor for the Clinical Psychology Masters Programme, in Department of Psychology, at the University of Cape Town. She is the Clinic Manager of the Child Guidance Clinic, which is a public service clinic which is also the home of the masters programme. She has extensive experience working with families and children and has a particular interest and expertise in working with children and families with special needs and neurodivergence. Dr Anastasia Maw
Dr Anastasia (Sia) Maw is a Clinical Psychologist. She is a Senior Lecturer and Course Convenor for the Clinical Psychology Masters Programme, in Department of Psychology, at the University of Cape Town. She is the Clinic Manager of the Child Guidance Clinic, which is a public service clinic which is also the home of the masters programme. She has extensive experience working with families and children and has a particular interest and expertise in working with children and families with special needs and neurodivergence.
Ms Noleen Seris
Noleen Seris is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a supervisor in Psychometrics to the Clinical Psychology Masters programme at the University of Cape Town. She has been an adult psychotherapist since 1994 and a long standing member of the Cape Town Self Psychology group. She has worked in the field of autism since 1997. Some of those years were spent at Alexandra Hospital, and Vera and Alpha Schools. In 2011 she became interested in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). This is a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention developed by the M.I.N.D Institute for children with ASD who are under the age of 5. In 2017 she completed her training as an ESDM therapist. At present she is in training with Dr Lauren Franz from Duke University to become an ESDM trainer. Noleen is a member of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) at UCT and a board member for the Neurodevelopmental Foundation (NDF). She was part of a collaborative research project on Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) between UCT, Duke, and Harvard Universities. She completed her training as a PCIT therapist in 2019. She has been a part of the Acacia team, which is a research collaboration between Duke University and Cape Town University since 2016. The aim of the project is to assess the feasibility of training ECD practitioners to become parent coaches in an adaptation of the P-ESDM model. The ECD practitioners work with caregivers who have children on the waiting list for school placement in an autism specialist school. Ms Noleen Seris
Noleen Seris is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a supervisor in Psychometrics to the Clinical Psychology Masters programme at the University of Cape Town. She has been an adult psychotherapist since 1994 and a long standing member of the Cape Town Self Psychology group. She has worked in the field of autism since 1997. Some of those years were spent at Alexandra Hospital, and Vera and Alpha Schools. In 2011 she became interested in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). This is a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention developed by the M.I.N.D Institute for children with ASD who are under the age of 5. In 2017 she completed her training as an ESDM therapist. At present she is in training with Dr Lauren Franz from Duke University to become an ESDM trainer. Noleen is a member of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) at UCT and a board member for the Neurodevelopmental Foundation (NDF). She was part of a collaborative research project on Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) between UCT, Duke, and Harvard Universities. She completed her training as a PCIT therapist in 2019. She has been a part of the Acacia team, which is a research collaboration between Duke University and Cape Town University since 2016. The aim of the project is to assess the feasibility of training ECD practitioners to become parent coaches in an adaptation of the P-ESDM model. The ECD practitioners work with caregivers who have children on the waiting list for school placement in an autism specialist school.
Dr Lenise Swanson
Noleen Seris is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a supervisor in Psychometrics to the Clinical Psychology Masters programme at the University of Cape Town. She has been an adult psychotherapist since 1994 and a long standing member of the Cape Town Self Psychology group. She has worked in the field of autism since 1997. Some of those years were spent at Alexandra Hospital, and Vera and Alpha Schools. In 2011 she became interested in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). This is a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention developed by the M.I.N.D Institute for children with ASD who are under the age of 5. In 2017 she completed her training as an ESDM therapist. At present she is in training with Dr Lauren Franz from Duke University to become an ESDM trainer. Noleen is a member of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) at UCT and a board member for the Neurodevelopmental Foundation (NDF). She was part of a collaborative research project on Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) between UCT, Duke, and Harvard Universities. She completed her training as a PCIT therapist in 2019. She has been a part of the Acacia team, which is a research collaboration between Duke University and Cape Town University since 2016. The aim of the project is to assess the feasibility of training ECD practitioners to become parent coaches in an adaptation of the P-ESDM model. The ECD practitioners work with caregivers who have children on the waiting list for school placement in an autism specialist school. Dr Lenise Swanson
Noleen Seris is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a supervisor in Psychometrics to the Clinical Psychology Masters programme at the University of Cape Town. She has been an adult psychotherapist since 1994 and a long standing member of the Cape Town Self Psychology group. She has worked in the field of autism since 1997. Some of those years were spent at Alexandra Hospital, and Vera and Alpha Schools. In 2011 she became interested in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). This is a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Intervention developed by the M.I.N.D Institute for children with ASD who are under the age of 5. In 2017 she completed her training as an ESDM therapist. At present she is in training with Dr Lauren Franz from Duke University to become an ESDM trainer. Noleen is a member of the Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) at UCT and a board member for the Neurodevelopmental Foundation (NDF). She was part of a collaborative research project on Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) between UCT, Duke, and Harvard Universities. She completed her training as a PCIT therapist in 2019. She has been a part of the Acacia team, which is a research collaboration between Duke University and Cape Town University since 2016. The aim of the project is to assess the feasibility of training ECD practitioners to become parent coaches in an adaptation of the P-ESDM model. The ECD practitioners work with caregivers who have children on the waiting list for school placement in an autism specialist school.