Dr Andrew Argent

Andrew Argent has worked in critical care in Cape Town for more than 30 years, and directed the largest paediatric intensive care unit in Africa until 2019.  He is a past President of the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care societies.  Although retired, he remains involved in the development of clinical approaches to the recognition and management of sepsis in children.  He has a particular interest in the provision of care to critically ill children in countries across the world, and has been involved in the development and implementation of training programmes for healthcare workers in pediatric critical care.  Andrew continues to be involved in consultations regarding multiple aspects of the care of critically ill children.

Dr Christel Arnold-Day

Christel Arnold-Day is a neurosurgeon and a full-time intensivist in the division of Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She has particular interests in traumatic brain injury, advanced multimodal neuromonitoring and patients with neurocritical injuries and diseases.

Prof Renée Blaauw

Prof Renée Blaauw, PhD (Nutritional Sciences) is a Professor in Therapeutic Nutrition at the Division of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

She is a registered dietitian with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. She is a Past Chairperson of the Professional Board for Dietetics in South Africa, a Past President of SASPEN and an honorary member of both SASPEN and ADSA. She is currently serving as the Scientific Secretary of SASPEN.

Her main research interests include Nutrition support of critically ill patients; Nutritional management of gastro-intestinal diseases and Hospital malnutrition. To this effect she is a member of the GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) working group and endeavours to contribute to the evidence-base regarding adult hospital malnutrition in South Africa.

She is actively involved in teaching and training in dietetics, with a passion for mentoring. She strives to fulfil her educational philosophy “To stimulate, create interest and empower others to help themselves”.

Sr Candice Bonaconsa

Candice Bonaconsa is a researcher and PhD candidate in the Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her PhD focuses on novel qualitative approaches to study communication and its impact on team dynamics in infection-related discussions and decision-making. She works as a Research Officer on a multi-site project investigating the intersection of sociocultural drivers, economic indices, and antimicrobial resistance and its influence on health-seeking and health-providing behaviours. She has led collaborative co-design research for quality improvement, using innovative methods like graphic facilitation, to engage participants. She is a registered nurse with ICU experience and holds a master’s degree in nursing (UCT).

Sr Andrea Booth

I am a qualified Critical Care Registered Nurse with 17 years experience, currently working in the private health care sector.

I have experience in tutoring and training critical care nurses as well as undergraduate doctors and nurses.

I have recently been promoted to Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Manager at a Mediclinic facility.
I believe in evidence based medicine and that nurse safety is imperative to patient safety.

My MPhil, which I am currently working on, will focus on the psycological safety of personnel in the emergency rooms. I would like to see this research spill over into the critical care setting.

Dr Lliam Branigan

Dr Brannigan is an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist with special interests in perioperative qip, liver transplantation and surgical icu care. 

Prof Esmita Charani

Esmita is an Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town where she is undertaking a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellowship undertaking intersectional research in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (2023-2027). In the UK, she is an Honorary Reader in Infectious Diseases, AMR and Global Health at the University of Liverpool. Her work in AMR has been recognised through the Academy of Medical Sciences UK-India AMR Visiting Professor award. She is involved in mentoring and supporting clinical pharmacists across different healthcare settings and economies in implementing antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

Dr Tanna Cohen

Tanna Cohen is a graduate of the University of Cape Town with a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Human Physiology, and an Honours degree in Dietetics which she completed in 2017. After completing her Community service at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital, She began her career at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg.

Passionate about clinical nutrition, Tanna transitioned to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, where she currently serves as Chief Dietitian in Surgery. Her focus areas include cardiothoracics, heart and lung transplants, trauma, and ENT surgery.

Tanna is dedicated to optimizing patient care and improving health outcomes, with a keen passion for targeting the crucial link between nutritional status and surgical outcomes. 

Dr Ryan Davids

Dr Ryan Davids [MBChB, DA (SA), MMED (Anaes), FCA, MPhil (Applied Ethics),Cert Critical Care ] is an anaesthetist-intensivist with varied interests. He heads the Surgical ICU at Tygerberg Hospital.

Dr Davids also holds a Masters in Philosophy and Applied Ethics. In terms of his Bioethics involvement, Ryan serves on a number of local and national research and clinical ethics committees. Including SA medical research council and ethics consultant to the Mediclinic group nationally. Ryan is affiliated with the Division of Medical Law and Bioethics at Stellenbosch University where he serves as a senior lecturer and member of the Executive committee of this division.

Dr Anna-Lena du Toi

Anna-Lena du Toit graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2005 and completed her master’s degree in nutrition from Stellenbosch in 2016 on the nutritional management of intestinal failure patients. She is the assistant director of dietetics at Groote Schuur hospital. She has 12 years’ experience in the management of surgical and critically ill patients and has a passion for the nutritional optimization of patients prior to surgery. She is the current president of SASPEN

Sr Bronwen Espen

Old Critical Care Nurse, currently working in Simulation and Clinical Skills Unit at Stellenbosch University, MBChB curriculum renewal, clinical skills and simulation design. Department of Health Professions Education.

Interest in Education assessment, Simulation, Human Factors, Patient Safety and Early recognition of the deteriorating patient.

SA BASIC for Nurses course director.

Dr Nicole Fernandes

Dr Nicole Fernandes is a former consultant in the Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Cape Town, where she worked for 10 years. She is also a newly qualified Intensivist, having completed the College Sub Specialist exams in May of this year. Nicole has a particular interest in high risk Obstetric Anaesthesia and Obstetric Critical Care. She has served as the fellow for the International Journal of Obstetric Anaesthesia and has published a number of peer-reviewed articles. She has just embarked on a new career opportunity in private medicine. Nicole is a mom to Grayson and Eliana, and wife to Estiaan. She loves dance, yoga, the arts, good wine and being in the bush with her family.

Dr Dave Fredericks

I am an Emergency and Critical Care Physician currently working in the Division of Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

My specific areas of interests are in Advanced Airway, Mechanical Ventilation, Toxicology and Ultrasound.

I am currently the Secretary of the Emergency Medicine Council and I am the EM representative on the intercollegiate board of Critical Care in South Africa.

I am a dad of 2 budding superstars, and a die hard Liverpool football supporter. 

I enjoy watching a good psychological thriller (with a decent single malt) in my spare time.

Dr Marli Housego

Marli Housego graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2010 and completed her Diploma in Cardiopulmonary care techniques in 2016. She is currently a part owner of a private practice, with 12 year experience working in multiple disciplines including adult Critical Care, Medical, post-surgical, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy. She is also an ICU clinical supervisor at Stellenbosch University and is the current chair of the Cardiopulmonary group of the South African Society of Physiotherapy.

Prof Ivan Joubert

Ivan has been the head of critical care at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town since 2008. He has served on the council of the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa for 20 years and is a past president of the organization. Ivan is currently the chair of the Cape Western Branch of the CCSSA and has been the treasurer since 2011. He is president elect of SASPEN and chairs the Critical Care Forum for the Western Cape Department of Health.

Sr Ellen le Roux

Ellen le Roux has been working in Critical Care for 20 years. She completed her post-graduate Diploma in Critical Care in 2004 and has worked in multiple disciplines in adult Critical Care, ranging from Medical, Surgical, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Critical Care within the private sector, and is now a Nurse Educator. Ellen is passionate about training and has been involved as an instructor on the BASIC for Nurses course. Ellen has been a member of the Cape Western Branch of the Critical Care Society since 2004, and is the current branch Secretary as well as the branch representative to the Critical Care Nursing Forum.

Dr Malcolm Miller

Specialist anaesthetist, qualified at University of Cape Town in 2004.
Completed my medical training at University of Stellenbosch in 1994.

Sub-specialized in Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital in 2006 and obtained the Certificate in Critical care medicine in 2008 through the College of Medicine of South Africa.

Currently working as a senior specialist in Anaesthesia and Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital. Past Chairperson of the Critical Care Society of South Africa, Western Cape Branch.

Also, the course director of the BASIC course (a two-day course introducing doctors to caring for seriously ill patients). Interests include Trauma, Abdominal compartment syndrome, Nutrition in critical illness and Antibiotic stewardship

Publications:
Numerous papers on Thromboelastography , Intra-abdominal hypertension and Gut dysfunction.

Research:
The role of a bio-artificial liver in a porcine model of ischaemic liver failure. Coagulation studies using Thromboelastography

Prof. Brenda Morrow

PhD 2005; PG Diploma (Paediatric Palliative Medicine) 2019; Postgraduate Diploma (Health Research Ethics) 2014; BSc Physiotherapy 1995
Brenda Morrow is a Physiotherapist and Full Professor in the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Brenda has special interests in interdisciplinary paediatric critical care practice and research; cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; palliative care; and medical ethics. Brenda has over 150 peer reviewed publications; she is co-editor of the textbook, “Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy in Trauma: An Evidence-based Approach”; she has written 21 book chapters; and presented at numerous national and international congresses. Brenda holds a Southern African National Research Foundation (NRF) B rating. She is immediate past-President of the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS) and President-Elect of the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa. Brenda is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Southern African Journal of Critical Care; Senior Associate Editor for Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and Associate Academic Editor of PlosOne. She is a regular reviewer for over 40 international journals and grant funding agencies.

Dr Dylan Naicker

Dylan Naicker is a specialist general surgeon. He completed his undergraduate and specialist training between the UKZN and WITS circuits. He is currently undertaking a fellowship in Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital, which is where he is currently based. Dylan enjoys the outdoor thrills of Cape Town together with his wife and four legged fluffy friends.

Dr Jenna Piercy

Is a Yorkshire lass who graduated from London University with MB BS and BSc(Hons) in Genetics.  Moved to Cape Town in 1998 and worked as an SHO in medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital, before taking up a registrar post in anaesthetics, followed by a consultant post from 2003.  Made the switch to Critical Care in 2006 and is currently Head of Clinical Unit in the Division of Critical Care at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town.  Loves Critical Care and teaching; but prefers skiing, cooking and travelling and is a proud karate mum! In the next life, dreams of being a nature conservationist or TV chef.

Dr Shamiel Salie

Shamiel trained in Paediatric Critical Care in South Africa and the UK and completed an MPH in 2015.

He has been a PICU Consultant at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital since 2006 and was appointed as the PICU Medical Director in 2020.

He has varied interests, the main ones being infectious diseases, the provision of respiratory support and the management of children post cardiac surgery.

He is actively involved in the of training junior doctors and nurses. He is the National Director of the Advanced Paediatric Life Support course in South Africa and a Co-ordinator of the Paediatric Basic Assessment and Support in ICU course.

He is a Supervisor on the African Paediatric Fellowship Programme, which has facilitated the training of Paediatric Intensivists from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Libya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Namibia. He is a regular examiner for the College of Medicine of South Africa in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Critical Care.

Shamiel has a growing collection of succulents and natural gemstones and is usually gardening, and walking at the Beach or the Mountain, when not at work.

Prof Patrick Semple

Patrick Semple Qualifications are MBChB(UCT(, FCNeurosurgs(SA), MMed(UCT), PhD(UCT)

Head of Neurocritical ICU, Division Critical Care UCT)

Full Professor, UCT

Dr David Thomson

David Thomson is a critical care subspecialist in the Division of Critical Care and a consultant surgeon in the Transplant Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. His interests are in medical education, ECMO and improving deceased donation systems. He runs the massive open online course Organ Donation: From Death to Life hosted on Coursera.org and in-person ECMO training workshops.

Dr Nathaniel Van Wyk

I am a registered dietitian that completed a BSc Dietetics at the University of Stellenbosch in 2012. I have worked in various clinical settings, which consists of 5 years at Kimberley Hospital, 3 years at Helderberg Hospital in Somerset West and chief dietitian (medical) at Groote Schuur Hospital for the past 4 years.

My passion lies in supporting patients in the ICU setting by providing them with individualized nutrition care plans that optimize their healing and recovery process. I understand the unique challenges faced by critically ill patients and work collaboratively with the ICU team to ensure their specific needs are met. I also have a keen interest in hematology/oncology and I currently work in the medical ICU, bone marrow transplant unit, and diabetes management settings at GSH.

Sr Yolanda Walsh

Yolanda Walsh is a critical care nurse specialist who works as an improvement advisor and healthcare consultant. She is a faculty member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and is an improvement advisor to hospital teams across Africa working to make patient care better. Yolanda led the implementation of the Best Care…Always! campaign for Mediclinic Southern Africa and chaired the national Best Care…Always! campaign. Yolanda has spent the last 15 years teaching and applying quality improvement methods to improve healthcare quality and patient safety. She is also passionate about nursing expertise and its influence on patient outcomes.