PLENARY SPEAKERS
 | DR (Brig Gen) SIBONGISENI MAXWELL DHLOMOMEC for Health in KZN Dr Sibongiseni Maxwell Dhlomo was born in a serene part of Kwa Zulu Natal, Umbumbulu, south of Durban. He began his illustrious career at Dlangezwa High School and later enrolled at the University of Natal, Durban (1980 – 1985) where he excelled in the field of Medicine. He later pursued further studies in Psychology and Sociology. In order to spearhead a holistic treatment and management of diseases, he further attained post graduate accolades in Public Health as well as in Strategic and Project Management. His passion for raising the quality of lives of ordinary people and his concern for addressing the pandemic of HIV and Aids and TB motivated him to extend his professional understanding by equipping himself with a Postgraduate diploma in HIV and Aids Management and has great interest in Palliative care. His activities in MK led to his incarceration in Robben Island in the MID 1980’s. He has also worked as an Academic at the University of Kwa- Zulu Natal lecturing in Public Health and advising the Vice Chancellor. He further went on to head the Phidisa project in the SAMHS(South African Military services) and hold a rank of the Brig General. His insatiable desire to serve communities was to a degree achieved when he joined the EThekwini Metro Municipality as a Deputy City Manager responsible for Health and Social Services. Dr Dhlomo, a husband ; a Freedom Fighter; a Medical Practitioner; a Provincial Executive Member of the ANC; the former Chairperson of the ANC at eThekwini Region; the MEC for Health in KZN is a proud dad to three beautiful children. |
 | Dr. Emmanuel LuyirikaExecutive Director African Palliative Care Association (APCA). Dr. Luyirika is the Executive Director of the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) since August 2012. He spent 9 years as a director at Mildmay International in Uganda where holistic care, training, prevention and research for HIV and related conditions were provided. He has been actively involved in palliative care development both in Uganda and across Africa. He worked for the Department of Health in Limpopo Province in South Africa for nine years and was also involved in lecturing in Family Medicine at MEDUNSA. He studied medicine at Makerere University in Uganda, Family Medicine at MEDUNSA and Public Administration at the University of Stellenbosch both in South Africa. He has served on several research Data Safety Monitoring Boards and research steering committees and has also published on HIV and palliative care in Africa. He is also the president of the board of CoRSU a charitable rehabilitation orthopedic and plastic surgery service for children with disability whether acquired or congenital in Uganda. He has interest in disease prevention efforts for communicable and non-communicable diseases within a chronic care context, the family approach to care and integration of chronic and palliative care approaches into existing health systems. |
 | Dr Liz GwytherDr Liz Gwyther has postgraduate qualifications in Family Practice and Palliative Medicine. She is CEO of Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA); incoming chair of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WPCA); and a director of the following organisations – African Palliative Care Association, ehospice and Pain Society of South Africa. She is a member of the World Health Organisation ad-hoc Technical Advisory Group for palliative and long-term care. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she heads the Palliative Care team within the School of Public Health and Family Medicine. She is the convener for the postgraduate programmes in Palliative Medicine and is responsible for research supervision and support for publications of the postgraduate students. Her special interests are women’s health and palliative care (in particular palliative care in HIV/AIDS) and human rights in health care. In 2007, she was awarded the SA Medical Association’s Gender Award for Human Rights in Health and the SA Institute of Health Managers Leadership in Health Systems award. She is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Pain & Symptom Management published in the USA. |
 | Joan MarstonChief Executive: International Children’s Palliative Care Network Joan is presently the Chief Executive of the International Children’s Palliative Care Network; a UK registered Charity working out of South Africa. With a background in nursing, Joan has been active in hospice palliative care for 25 years, with a special interest in children, having established the St Nicholas (Now Sunflower) Children’s Hospice in 1998 when Executive Director of Naledi Hospice. Previously both the first Advocacy Officer and Paediatric Palliative Care manager for HPCA, and now a Trustee of the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance and the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation as well as a number of NGOs, Joan serves as an advisor to numerous paediatric palliative care organisations and networks in all regions of the world. Her special interests lie in advocacy, programme development and spirituality in children’s palliative care. Joan is a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Palliative and Long-term care and coordinating a palliative care response to humanitarian situations. |
 | Jeanette HunterDeputy Director General, Primary Health Care Jeanette R Hunter (BA Cur-UNISA, Post Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management – University of Cape Town, Masters Degree in Business Administration – Free State University) has worked in senior management positions in and outside of the public sector for the past 13 years. She is currently the Deputy Director General Primary Health Care at the Department of Health of South Africa. Jeanette came into this post from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Health Systems Trust. Jeanette has a solid track record of achievement through a thorough understanding and successful application of strategic and operational planning processes, change management, project management, continuous quality improvement and human dimensions management strategies. As the HST CEO she has led the design and implementation of good practice action research that contributes to preparation for universal health coverage, focusing on primary health care. |
 | Maria MabenaDeputy Commissioner Health Care Services Responsibilities include:
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 | Jim ClearyJames Cleary, MD, is Associate Professor of Medicine, Medical Oncology Section; Director of Palliative Medicine at UW Hospital and Clinics; and Academic Medical Director of HospiceCare Inc., for Dane County. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Adelaide Medical School, South Australia, Dr. Cleary completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Oncology fellowship at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and three years of research in opioid pharmacology at the University of Adelaide. He is an international leader in Palliative Medicine and is a board member and past president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is a Master Facilitator for the Education of Physicians in End-of-Life Care Program (EPEC). He had led training sessions over six years, educating more than 1,000 physicians throughout the U.S. He serves as North American Editor of Palliative Medicine, the Research Journal of the European Association of Palliative Care. |
 | Hendrietta Bogopane-ZuluDeputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta is Deputy Minister of Social Development. She is a motivational speaker, a researcher, a writer ,a consultant, a trainer, a business women and a member of parliament. She previously served as the Deputy Minister of Public Works and as Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disability. |
 | Bulelani KuwaneAurum Institute Bulelani Kuwane was born at Herschel, Transkei (Eastern Cape) on 30th November 1972. He is married to Tholang and they have two lovely daughters Lindeka and Nasiphi. He is Chairperson of the HPCA board and served on the HPCA Organisational Development Sub-committee for a short duration. He holds Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UNISA, Comprehensive Diploma in Nursing Science from Transkei College of Nursing. He has done additional training during his career, including short course in palliative nursing care, HIV/AIDS care, treatment, prevention and management, project management, advance health management. He is currently studying for Masters of Management (Public & Development Management) with University of Witwatersrand. He is working for The Aurum Institute as a Programme Director for the HSS Programme funded by US PEPFAR. He started in 2006 as a Clinic Manager at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital’s Adult HIV Clinic before joining the Aurum Institute. |
SPEAKERS
 | Dr Julia Ambler Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children Dr Ambler graduated from UCT with her MBChB in 1998. After her junior doctor years she spent 6 years in Oxford, UK returning home in early 2008. Whilst in the UK she trained and worked as a general practitioner and a children’s hospice doctor at Helen and Douglas Houses, Oxford. She is a member of the Royal College of GPs in the UK and holds the Diploma in Paediatric Palliative Medicine from Cardiff University, Wales and the Diploma in Child Health (CMSA). As deputy director of Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children she consults and trains in paediatric palliative care . She is also a sessional lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics, Nelson Mandela Medical School, UKZN teaching palliative care and communication skills. |
Juanita Arendse Juanita Arendse is the Director for the HIV & AIDS, STI and TB (HAST) Programmes in the Western Cape Department of Health, South Africa since 2010 and has been a public servant within the health department for just over 26 years. Her journey within the department include working at two academic hospitals, the primary health care facilities, the training institution for the department and 13 years in various health programmes, including child health, immunisation programmes, school, youth and adolescent health. Juanita has played a key role in standardising practices for NPO contracting within the department and her key result areas currently include Policy development and translation, monitoring and evaluation, implementation support to services and project managing innovation as it relates to HIV & TB. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health and is also qualified as a registered Clinical Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator and Manager. | |
| Jenny Arendse | |
| Raksha Balbadhur | |
| Charmaine Blanchard | |
 | Mrs Annanda Bothma HPCA BA Social Work University of Stellenbosch 1995 MA Social Work (Play Therapy) University of Pretoria 2002. Annanda started her social work career at the ACVV in Table View. After two years she moved to Robertson to work at the Herberg Childrens Home. In 2003 she joined the Hospice family at Breede River Hospice. Since 2008 Annanda is employed by Hospice palliative Care Association of South Africa. First as a Paediatric Officer responsible for the development of paediatric programs in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape and then as Palliative Care Development officer assisting Hospices in their development in line with the HPCA/COHSASA standards. For the last two years she is employed as a District technical adviser for the Casipo project. Annanda is married and has 2 children. |
 | Sue Boucher Sue Boucher is an educator, consultant editor and author of children’s books and educational textbooks. She edits the International Children’s Edition of e-Hospice and is responsible for social media for the ICPCN. She is an Advisor to the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation, sits on the steering committee of Palliative Treatment for Children in South Africa (PATCH – SA) and is a board member of Umduduzi Hospice Care for children in Durban. Sue joined the ICPCN in 2007 as the International Information Officer and is now Director of Communications. She is active in education, advocacy, development of materials for the ICPCN, and contributes to textbooks, journal articles and conferences. |
 | Ms Tracey Brand Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children Tracey graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban with a Master of Social Work (Clinical Practice) in 2003. She started her career as a social worker for Margate & District Child & Family Welfare Society, then moving on to project managing various AIDS programmes, focusing on the care and well being of children. She has also worked in addiction therapy and holds a post-graduate diploma in Marriage and Guidance Counselling. From 2008 to 2012, as project manager, she opened the Durban Branch of the Bigshoes Foundation and has cultivated an interest in paediatric palliative care. She has been involved in teaching and training doctors, nurses and social workers in paediatric palliative care and designed course work material for the purpose as well as provides direct services. |
 | Dr Mike Brown HospiceWits Obtained MBChB qualification in 1975 at UCT. Spent time in various disciplines in hospital practice. Joined Roche Products as a Product Manager, and subsequently held various posts in the medical marketing department before being appointed as Medical Director (clinical trials, new drug registrations, medical information and drug safety). In 2000 he joined the contract research industry as Director of Operations for CroMedica in SA and Israel, and subsequently held a similar position for PRA International before being appointed as GM for Kendle in SA, the local affiliate of a global Contract Research Organisation with experience in a number of therapeutic areas including Anaesthesia, Anti-infectives, Cardiovascular, CNS/neurology/psychiatry, Dermatology, Oncology and Respiratory disease. |
 | Mrs Petra Burger HPCA In 1991 I graduated as social worker from the University of Pretoria, and in 2014 I graduated from GIBS after completing the Social Entrepreneur Program. I am also a (proud) person with a disability for the last 21 years, after a serious MVA. In 2011 I was one of 8 social worker who took part in the Social Work Exchange Program between the HW SETA and the UK. I have been formally employed within the disability sector since 2006 as social worker, social development manager and disability mainstreaming specialist. I have commenced employment this year with HPCA as disability mainstreaming coordinator. |
 | Mr Koenraad Burger SARS I am person with disability and in the employment of SARS since 1994 and a legal specialist. In 2005 I wrote a position paper with the title “Disability and Tax Fairness in SA.” As a result amendments were made to the tax relief for disability related expenses. In consultation with the disability sector I compiled diagnostic criteria and a list of allowable disability related expenses. From 1996 until 2013 I was actively involved in the disability sector, in various capacities on national and provincial level. |
Mrs Alex Daniels Sarah Fox Children’s Convalescent Hospital Alex Daniels is a professional nurse with over 15 years of experience in adult intensive care and community health nursing. She has many years of experience working with nongovernmental organisations developing emotional resilience in children particularly in early childhood development settings. Alex is committed to developing grief and loss skills in adults so that they may support the bereavement needs of children. Four years ago, Alex commenced work in the area of paediatric palliative care, first as a member of the Bigshoes hospital based palliative care team and then as a member of the team developing the new inpatient palliative care facility at Sarah Fox Convalescent Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. Alex is currently completing an Mphil in Palliative Medicine at UCT. | |
 | Dr Nelia Drenth HPCA Nelia Drenth is a social worker and has authored and co-authored several articles in peer reviewed journals. She is employed by HPCA as the research associate for the CaSIPO project. |
Dr Anna Fourie Division Radiation Oncology/Tygerberg Hospital I am working at the Division Radiation Oncology at Tygerberg Hospital. I am a specialist Radiation and Clinical Oncologist with an interest in gastro-intestinal cancers. I have been working for 3 years in the academic and state sector. I am busy with my MPhil (Palliative Medicine) at the University of Cape town. I completed my Diploma Palliative Medicine in 2007. My interest is also in the undergraduate training of medical students in palliative medicine as well as service delivery in palliative care starting at the tertiary level and then continued at primary level. | |
Mrs Rachel Freeman University of Namibia Mrs R J Freeman – (MA SOC) (Cum Laude) (UNISA). Lecturer: Social Work Section | |
 | Linda Ganca Linda Ganca has over 30 years of experience in teaching and 15 years in Social Work. She is a lecturer at UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences within the School of Public Health and Family Medicine. She convenes the palliative care undergraduate program, teaches psychosocial aspects in the postgraduate diploma course, supervises MPhil students and has keen interest in research. |
 | Dr Babe Eunice Gaolebale Princess Marina Hospital, Ministry of Health Dr Babe Eunice Gaolebale, qualified in Trinity College Dublin, 2003 with BAMBBChBAO, attained a general professional training in Medicine, went on to become a Member of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland MRCPI 2008. She worked in different medical disciplines like haematology/oncology, general medicine, Palliative and hospice care. She currently provides specialist palliative care in the oncology department of a major referral hospital in Botswana. She is actively involved in the Botswana Hospice and Palliative care association (BHPCA). She sits in the Botswana National Cancer Registry Advisory Committee for the national cancer control plans. |
 | Mrs Corinne Gourley Hospice Moeder Theresa, Prieska I am Corinne Gourley, a Professional Nurse with qualifications as a general nurse, midwife and psychiatry. Operating theatre nursing, nursing education and palliative care, I passed with distinction. I joined the Prieska, Hospice Moeder Theresa in May 2014 as a part-time Nursing Coordinator. The NACOSA HBC patient file and Care Plan audit improved from 40% in April to 80% at the end of 2014. I am the Facilitator to the Short Course in Palliative Care Nursing in Kimberley for 2015. My passion is providing scientific nursing care to vulnerable people and protecting them against the negative effects of custodial care. I have done this by example and by training, in whatever setting I have worked. These include an old age home and a psychiatric hospital. My husband, Mike, is a retired AMA. |
| Thiloshini Govender | |
 | Ms Nicola GunnClark HPCA In 2007 Nicola GunnClark co-ordinated a reference group of health and human rights activists to address legal challenges of patients with life-limiting illness. This included monitoring developments to allow nurse prescribing of pain relief, and piloting hospice law workshops. Later Legal Aspects of Palliative Care was published in 2009 with contributions from 21 co-authors. In 2010 an external evaluation by UCT revealed legal information and legal assistance for patients and families should be an essential part of hospice service. In 2012 Legal Aspects of Palliative Care was updated with full colour photos, improved layout, more resources and case studies. In 2013-2014 Law training using the book was rolled out in eight provinces with orientation for Legal Aid attorneys. |
 | Jenny Handley Jenny Handley Performance Management Jenny Handley is a brand specialist, writer, training facilitator, speaker and owner of Jenny Handley Performance Management. She has worked on a variety of diverse brands from high quality products to high profile people. Jenny has had a 20-year association with Hospice, originally working on the PR for St Luke’s Hospice for 10 years, and then nationally for HPCA. She initiated and manages the Hospice brand campaigns eg Ambassadors, Social Butterfly and the Champions campaign. |
Dr Richard Harding Dr Richard Harding is Associate Professor and Director of Global Programmes and Partnership s at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London and Visiting Professor in the Dept of Palliative Medicine at University of Cape Town. He has a background in Social Science and Social Work, and his academic interest are in outcome measurement, non-cancer (especially HIV and cancer) and palliative care as a global health discipline. | |
| Alida Herbst | |
Yashana Hookamchand Dr Y Hookamchand MBChB, DA(SA), FCA(SA) | |
 | Mrs Millie Hugo HPCA Millie Hugo obtained her B.Cur Degree in Nursing from the University of Pretoria in 1978. She completed her Advanced Diploma in Nursing through UNISA in 1982. Millie was employed at Goldfields Hospice as a Nursing Services Manager in 1999, and became the General Manager in 2005. She did the Short Course in Palliative Care offered by HPCA and also the Introduction in Paediatric Palliative Care and various other TB and HIV management courses. She joined the staff of HPCA in 2010 and completed the Leadership Development Program. She is currently involved in the HPCA CaSIPO programme. |
| Rene Krause | |
 | Mrs Juanita Kruger Sungardens Hospice Juanita Kruger is a Social worker employed as the Manager of Psychosocial services at Sungardens Hospice – Pretoria, since 2008. Her qualifications include a BA (SW) (NWU) and MA (SW) (NWU). She has special interests in training, mentoring, Supervision and Management of Social workers in the field of Palliative Care. Her skills base includes working with people facing chronic and advanced illness including the bereaved. Juanita’s appointment as HCT project manager at Sungardens Hospice in August 2014 is a new exciting direction in her career as Palliative Care Service Provider. |
Mr Josef Lazarus HPCA | |
 | Dr Musa Manganye FHI360 I hold the Doctorate in Public Health (Health System and Management); Masters of Public Health (Health Policy and Management) and B Cur Nursing Science. Currently, hired at FHI360 as the Senior Technical Advisor. Expertise includes: Health Policy Development, Technical Assistance, Health Systems and Management, Epidemiology, Monitoring and Evaluation, Surveillance, Health Research, Public Health Communication, HIV/AIDS Combination Prevention, Positive Health Dignity & Prevention, Comprehensive Care and Support, TB, Gender, Organizational Development, Knowledge Management, Programme management, Capacity Building, Migration Health, Economic Empowerment, Public Private Partnerships, Contracting Officer’s Representative, Grants, Cooperative Agreements and Contracts Management. |
Ms Penelope Mathe HospiceWits I was born in Soweto. I started grade 1 at Hlakaniphani Lower Primary School in Soweto. At the age of 12 I moved to Mpumalanga in the rural area called Daggakraal where I completed my matric. That is when I fell in love with social work because of poverty and other social problems. After matriculation in 1991 I came back to Soweto. I studied journalism with Intec College. In 2004 I registered with the University of South Africa for the degree in Social Work and I completed my degree in 2009. In 2011 I attended training in Psychosocial Palliative Care which was offered by HPCA. In 2012 I did a course in Play Therapy with the Centre for Play Therapy in Cape Town. In 2014 I completed the Master’s Degree in Social Work with North-West University. In the same year I completed the | |
 | Ms Susan McGarvie HPCA Susan has professional managerial experience in health care, organisational development, training, coaching and mentoring. She has spent the last 20 years working in various areas of the healthcare and NPO sectors. More recently, she has been involved in palliative care development and professional development within palliative care. In 2013 she completed an MPhil in palliative care which focused on the professional development needs of palliative care programme managers. Susan is currently registered for a research PhD (Psychology) at Rhodes University. Her dissertation is titled Applied Mindfulness in Practice: Developing and evaluating a mindfulness-based wellness programme set within a coaching psychology framework. This research intends to establish a holistic and person-centred approach to address stress and burnout in healthcare professionals. |
 | Thembisa Mchunu HPCA Thembisa has a nursing background in which she has practiced for a number of years now, she has worked in various hospitals both public and private. She has also worked in an NGO sector in particular in the HIV and TB Programmes that provide health care services to vulnerable groups including Home Based Care and Psychosocial support to the ill at community level, sharing experiences with them in order to find more effective and efficient ways to educate communities about the epidemic of HIV and TB. |
Neil McKerrow Head of Clinical Department, Paediatrics & Child Health, Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Interest is social paediatrics and child health. Primary focus is on creation and oversight of effective health systems for children. | |
 | Dr Notende Mgudlwa HPCA Dr N.B.Mgudlwa is a qualified medical doctor who has worked for the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) since April 2012 as the TB Programme Manager. Her career started off as a Mathematics and Physical Science teacher at Nyanga High School, in the Eastern Cape. After 5 years she went back to university to study medicine. After 11 years in private practice she left to join the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) as programme manager for Medical and Forensic Laboratories. After 2 years she was made Special Projects Manager, a position she held for 2 years until she left in June 2008 to join the 2010 FIFA World Cup LOC as Manager: Health Services. After the tournament, and after a brief breather, she joined the HPCA. She holds a BSc (Fort Hare), BEd (UNISA), MBChB (University of Natal), MSc -Healthcare Management (Luton) |
Nirupa Misara Nirupa Misra has vast experience as a Pharmacist in Public sector, private sector and academia. She has a Pharmacy Degree and a Masters in Clinical Pharmacology and is currently studying towards a doctoral degree with a focus on drug resistant tuberculosis. | |
| Sindi Mthethwa | |
 | Dr Duvai Mukuvisi FHI360 SA Currently FHI360’s Provincial Technical Advisor to KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Duvai Mukuvisi is a clinician by background, holding an MBChB degree. He also acquired a Master of Business Administration degree, a Postgraduate Diploma in HIV management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management and a Leadership Development Programme. His areas of growing expertise, experiences and interest are in the technical and project management of NGO-led public health programmes, especially in the areas of HIV/AIDS continuum of care; sexual and reproductive health; TB programming; healthcare policy and action research. He is currently writing a text book on research methodology for postgraduate students and another on healthcare management for developing countries. |
| Prags Naicker | |
 | Dr Rosalia Moroesi Nakin University South Africa She acquired her D Litt et Phil from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2009, with the title Examining issues in Language Planning and Language Policy in the Eastern Cape with special reference to Sesotho: A sociolinguistic case. She obtained her MA, BA Hons and BA degrees at Walter Sisulu University majoring in Sesotho. She has been teaching Sesotho at Walter Sisulu University for 16 years and presently working at the University of South Africa as a Senior Lecturer and the head of Sesotho Section in the Department of African Languages. She has presented papers in conferences and has the following publications; 2002 Harmonization and Standardization: The Sotho- Tswana Language, 2003 The Morphological Similarities and Differences in the Sotho Langua |
 | Mrs Nkosazana Ngidi HPCA I am a mother of three adult children. I possess a BA (Social Work) from the University of Zululand, Diploma in Speech and Hearing Therapy from University of the Witwatersrand, Certificate in Marketing Management from UNISA and MEd (Adult Learning and Global Change) from the University of the Western Cape. I am also a registered Facilitator, Assessor and Moderator with ETDP SETA. My working career started in 1986 at KwaThintwa School for the Deaf as a Community Speech and Hearing Therapist. From 1989 I started working as a Social worker for Durban Child Welfare, in 1990 for Deaf Federation of South Africa and in October 1996 for Highway hospice. From 2001 to 2007 I ran my own Social work private practise. I am currently the Education and Training Manager for HPCA. |
 | Mrs Elana Olivier Family Health International 360 I’m a warm, colourful and practical individual driven by a belief in my skills to aid society for the better. I think the road to success of a project depends on a good balance between taking initiative, independent thinking and team work; taking responsibility and delegating; practical customer focus and result orientation. I’ve acquired an established set of organizing, problem solving, planning and time management skills and I’m effective under pressure during my career. I’m instinctively professional in my work and responsive to people. (Meyers-Briggs Profile: ENFJ) |
 | Mrs Maimoona Omuabor HospiceWits I originate from Kwazulu Natal in the North of Durban, and matriculated in 1991. I studied commercial practice at ML Sultan college. I worked in Nu Shifa and city hospitals before relocating to Johannesburg. I joined the retail environment in 1998 and I have worked for major retailers, like Edcon, Stuttafords and the Foschini group. I had also held positions in various operational and management roles. I obtained my MBA in 2011 at Regensys Business School. My journey with HospiceWits began in 2013 as the retail manager and part of the Management team and I have never looked back. |
 | Romy Parker Romy is Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at UCT. She started her physiotherapy career in the sports injuries arena but moved from there to rheumatology and chronic pain. She completed her MSc(Pain) through Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and was awarded her PhD in 2013, which focused on Pain in women living with HIV/AIDS. Her research focusses on pain and its management. She spends her time teaching and mentoring passionate health care practitioners at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level to develop deeper understanding about pain and its management. Romy is Chair of the Pain, Mind and Movement SIG of the IASP and serves on the National Council of PainSA. |
 | Prof Kouie Plo University Teaching Hospital of Bouake MD Professor of Pediatrics |
| Esme Pudule | |
 | Marwala Pule Dr Marwala Pule, originally was born and raised in a township in Sebokeng, in Gauteng near Vereeniging. He graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2010 with an MBChB. It is in University that he held a number of student leadership position and also developed a passion for rural health education and development through being involved in student societies like the Rural support Network. He was previously employed as a medical officer for two years at Bethesda hospital a deep rural hospital in the north of Kwa-zulu Natal where he pioneered a rural hospital based palliative care programme. He is currently employed as an Emergency medicine registrar with the Department of Health in KZN through the University Kwa-zulu Natal. Even though he loves emergency medicine and sees himself as a future emergency physician, he has a really soft spot for Palliative care medicine and would love to see it develop and being integrated into the South African Primary health care setting. |
 | Mrs Joy Ruwodo HospiceWits Joy joined HospiceWits as Marketing Manager in 2011 and today heads a team of 9 responsible for raising funds to enable the organisation to provide care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. A Rhodes University BCom graduate in Management and Economics, Joy began her career in marketing as a graduate trainee in the mobile services industry in 1999. In 2000, she joined Caltex – a global oil and gas company as Retail Business Consultant overseeing a network of 45 retailers and was appointed an in-country Brand Associate. She left Caltex after 8 years to embark on a Wits Business School MBA in 2009. Joy enjoyed international exposure during her electives at McGill in Montreal Canada and is now completing her thesis. |
 | Dr Refilwe Sello FHI360 Dr Refilwe Sello is a dynamic, visionary and results-driven internationally trained clinician with a special Masters of Public health and Masters of Tropical Medicine from world renowned Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Post graduate diploma in palliative care medicine from UCT. Dr Refilwe Sello is currently Technical Lead Policy at FHI360, South Africa. In her position, she provides strategic, high-level guidance and support to South Africa government and stakeholders on policy development to strengthen integration of care & support services into broader health and social programming. She works closely with the South Africa government at National, provincial and district level and with community based organizations and other stakeholders including PEPFAR partners. |
 | Mrs Fiona Shraga HPCA Fiona Shraga is the coordinator of the Palliative Care e-learning Discovery Foundation pilot project at HPCA. Fiona is also a professional nurse educator and is involved in training of the palliative care introductions and short courses, having been based at Hospice Wits training center for four years. Fiona is married with three adult sons and lives in Johannesburg. |
 | Zodwa Sithole CaSIPO Worked in the health sector in various disciples including General Nursing, Midwifery, Community Health, Palliative Care etc. Experience gained in various institutions comprising private, government and community. Functioned in environments of limited resources, illiteracy, abject poverty and general deprivation, hence a diverse content of first and third world care. Formally, trained in various areas of General Nursing, Midwifery, Primary Health Care, Nursing Administration and Education, Community Health Care and Palliative Care. Holds a degree in B.cur and a Master’s degree in Nursing. Has participated in a number of National and International conferences. Presently she is working at HPCA as National Advocacy manager and Regional Manager KZN. |
 | Mrs Jennifer Stidworthy HPCA Jenny Stidworthy is a nurse and educator working for Hospice Palliative Care Association South Africa. She has been involved with education for the last 20 years and has taught Palliative Care at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her special interest is curriculum design and assessment which is supported by a Master’s degree in Health Science education from Stellenbosch University. Jenny is also involved curriculum design and moderation of courses for care workers, NQF level 1-4. Conference presentations: HPCA conferences 2012, 2014, SAAHE Conference 2007. |
Henry Sunpath Dr Sunpath a specialist family physician who has wide research publications in Public health management of HIV, ART resistance and Tb co infection. He is a honorary senior lecturer at the NR Mandela School of medicine in the Infectious disease unit and clinical fellow in family medicine department. After working in the public health sector for the last 25 years,(including about 15 years treating PLWHA at McCord hospital in Durban,) he now holds a position in the Ethekwini DOH as chief technical advisor for clinical governance in clinical programmes. He is leading the quality improvement projects in the HAST programme .Currently he is a member of the KZN provincial task team for palliative care. | |
| Shaun Thomas | |
 | Mrs Francesca Tong HPCA B. Soc. Science. (SW) (HONS). University of Cape Town; MTh (Pastoral Therapy specialising in Narrative Therapy). University of South Africa. Fran is currently employed by HPCA as a District Technical Advisor in the Western Cape. She has contributed to the review and development psychosocial and spiritual palliative care training material for professionals and lay counsellors. Fran trains and mentors widely on psychosocial palliative care at NGOs, CBOs, state and tertiary institutions. As a narrative therapist, Fran constantly creates opportunities to weave in narrative practices into her work; to support and advocate for a respectful and person-centered approach to care. Fran has presented at national and international conferences on psychosocial palliative care issues. |
 | Yolandi Valentyn Yolandi Valentyn is a senior program manager for Mfesane NPC a Christian Development Agency since 2004. She is a social worker by profession and currently busy with her master’s degree in social work. She is leading a team of field staff, coordinators and managers in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape in the implementation of a comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme including Community Home Based Care, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, HIV and Comprehensive Testing and Health Promotion and Prevention projects. She serves on the Provincial Health Research Committee representing the community. She pioneer and initiated the High Five Youth Development Project and grew and developed it into an NGO which offers programs to youth both in and out of school. |
 | Miss Dianne Waddington Helderberg Hospice Dianne is currently in her fifth year at Helderberg Hospice, where she is the manager of the psycho-social department. She completed her BA degree in Social Work at the University of Stellenbosch in 2004, and went on to complete an International Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in June 2007. Her involvement with Hospice started with voluntary work when she was in high school in Paarl. In 2010, she assisted as a locum social worker at Stellenbosch Hospice, after which she was appointed in her current position in 2011. Prior to her involvement with Hospice, she worked with vulnerable children, practising in all three methods of social work. She also spent three years with the Western Cape Education Department. |
| Eric Watlington | |
 | Mrs Clare Wylie Hospice Palliative Care Association Clare Wylie, born and schooled in Zimbabwe, attended Rhodes University qualifying with B Soc Science (Social Work). Additional educational opportunities including Post Graduate Diploma In Adult Education (University of KZN – Pietermaritzburg) and Honors in Psychology (UNISA). Benefited from thirty two years of involvement in the Hospice Palliative Care movement with varied roles including direct patient services, bereavement counseling, education and training and managing two organizations. Worked in private practice for four years and gained learning and insights from coordinating and facilitating the HPCA Leadership Development Program seeking to strengthen organizations and support managers for 8 years. Now in the position of Technical Lead Capacity Building HPCA CaSIPO project. |
POSTER PRESENTERS
 | Mr Ephrem Abathun Hospice Ethiopia I graduated from Kea Med University College in Nursing Training in 2005 and BSc Clinical Officer in 2011. Furthermore, I did my Masters Degree in Public Health at Haramaya University in 2015. I am working at Hospice Ethiopia, the first hospice in Ethiopia, as head of the clinical department. I am in charge of taking care of patients with advanced cancer and/or HIV/AIDS who are suffering with complex pains and symptoms. |
 | Dr Shelley Kibel St Luke’s Hospice Shelley Kibel studied medicine at the University of Cape Town and has a Diploma in Palliative Medicine (UCT). Currently, Chief Medical Officer at St Luke’s Hospice, Cape Town, she supervises the provision of medical care to over 500 patients at home and in the hospice ward. She works closely within an Inter-disciplinary team of nursing, social workers and volunteers. She has a background in General Practice and a special interest in Complementary Therapy and holistic care. |
 | Mr Aditya Manna Narikeldaha Prayas I am a volunteer of palliative care for terminal cancer patients in rural India. Volunteering has always been fundamental to the palliative care movement. It is vital in extending compassion and expanding the range of services on offer to those living with a terminal illness and their care givers. After finishing my school and college education under much difficulty I joined Tamralipta Health Home, a private nursing home in the near by town of Tamluk. After working there for 5 years I joined MAS Clinic & Hospital in the same town which now has a small cancer unit, a small dialysis unit and a small ICU, apart from other common treatment facility. At present I am working in the oncology unit of this hospital as a palliative care staff. We also run a non-profit organization. |
Margaret Roestorf St Luke’s Hospice
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Mr Dirk van Reenen South Coast Hospice Mr D van Reenen is a qualified Training Facilitator,HWSETA registered Assessor and Moderator. Education and skills development is not just a job but a passion for me. I believe in improving my own personal skills and knowledge and extend this to others by assisting them to also gain valuable skills and knowledge. My constant striving to give the highest quality training combined with practical work that will change the lives of people in communities and provide possible employment opportunities. | |
Jeanette Mqomo NACOSA |
