Speakers

Professor Vernon Louw is the Executive Head of the Department of Medicine at Stellenbosch University (since February 2025) and Honorary Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town. He previously served as Chair and Head of Clinical Haematology at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa.

He is the current President of the South African Clinical Haematology Society (SACHaS) and Chair of the Global Transfusion Forum. Internationally, he serves on the World Health Organization (WHO) Working Group on Guidance for Patient Blood Management (PBM) Implementation.

Chairmen (2003-)
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Marienhospital Vechta, Marienstraße 6-8, 49377 Vechta, Germany

Doctoral thesis (1995)
Use of minimal flow anesthesia with endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask and face mask. WWU Münster, Germany (Director: Univ. Prof. Dr. med. H. Van Aken)

Postdoctoral Research fellowship (1996-1998), Department of Anesthesia, University of Virginia, Virginia, USA, (Prof. Marcel E. Durieux, Director Prof. Robert Eppstein)

Dr Bawinile Hadebe is a Nuclear Medicine physician and Head of the Clinical Unit in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She holds an MBChB degree from the University of Cape Town, an MMed in Nuclear Medicine with distinction along with a PhD from the University of KwaZulu Natal.

Dr Hadebe serves as Vice President of the South African Society of Nuclear Medicine, a council member and examiner for the College of Nuclear Physicians at the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, and an ambassador for the Oncidium Foundation. Her clinical and research focus centres on targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies and molecular imaging, notably pioneering CXCR4-targeted imaging of solid tumours. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Discovery Foundation Fellowship Award, the SAMRC Self-Initiated Research Grant, and international honours such as the Dr Saul Hertz Young Investigator Award.

Dr. Perry Loebenberg obtained his undergraduate medical degree at the University of Stellenbosch before specialising in Internal Medicine at the University of the Free State, achieving both degrees with distinction. He completed his training in Clinical Haematology at the University of Cape Town in May 2021 and is currently in full-time private practice at Constantiaberg Haematology, based at Constantiaberg Mediclinic in Cape Town.

He holds an appointment as Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Division of Clinical Haematology at the University of Cape Town and serves as Chairperson of the Scientific Steering Committee of BloodSA. He is a member of the South African Stem Cell Transplant Society (SASCeTS) and the South African Clinical Haematology Society (SACHaS).

Perry is an active principal investigator on clinical trials in multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and is passionate about expanding access to clinical trials in South Africa.

Prof. Jacques Le Roux Malherbe is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and the Head of the Division of Clinical Haematology at the University of the Free State and Universitas Academic Hospital. Since his appointment to lead the division in 2018, his leadership has focused on expanding clinical infrastructure, driving national collaborative research networks, and establishing a robust hematology presence in central South Africa.

Academically and clinically, Prof. Malherbe has a special interest in lymphoproliferative neoplasms. An active clinical researcher, he has served as a principle investigator for numerous international and national clinical trials exploring therapies in lymphoma, myeloma and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Dedicated to shaping the next generation of specialists, he serves as an examiner for the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and sits on the editorial board of the South African Journal of Oncology.

Beyond his medical and academic commitments, he is a competitive endurance athlete who has represented the Free State in off-road cycling and achieved a top-10 masters category finish at the 2023 ABSA Cape Epic.

Dr Mohamad Mohty is a full Professor of Hematology and head of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Department at the Saint-Antoine Hospital and Sorbonne University in Paris, France. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Montpellier, France, and PhD from the University of Marseille, France. He is also head of a translational research team (Inserm) at the Saint-Antoine Research Centre in Paris.

Dr Mohty is the past president of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), and past chairman of the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT . He is also the founder and current chairman of the International Academy for Clinical Hematology (IACH) and executive board member of the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome (IFM). Dr Mohty is also a fellow of the French National Academy of Medicine (2023), and elected in 2025 to the Academia Europaea. In 2021, Dr Mohty was knighted as “chevalier de la légion d’honneur” (The Legion of Honor)

Dr Talha Munir is a UK-based Consultant Haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with a major clinical and research focus on CLL and other lymphoid malignancies such including WM and MCL. He is Deputy Chair of the UK NCRI CLL Study Group and plays a leading role in national and international CLL research programs. His expertise centers on targeted therapies, particularly , including their mechanism of action and optimal use in clinical practice. He is also actively involved as a principal/sub-investigator in multiple phase II and III CLL trials, including pivotal BTK inhibitor studies.

With a nursing career spanning over four decades, Stephanie is a distinguished healthcare leader and nephrology specialist dedicated to elevating patient safety and clinical standards in South Africa. Since registering as a professional nurse in 1985, Stephanie has cultivated deep expertise in renal care, beginning a focused journey in the field in 1997, specializing in nephrology (Diploma in Nephrology Nursing Science from NMMU in 2005).

She also is a current elected EXCO member of RCSSA (Renal Care Society of SA) (served since 2009) as well as associated member of SA Transplant Sports Association.

Dr Curvin Mathebula is a Medical Officer in Haemato-Oncology at Alberts Cellular Therapy (ACT). He holds an MBChB from the University of the Free State, has undertaken training in Palliative Medicine at the University of Cape Town, and is currently completing an MSc in Cancer Biology and Precision Oncology at the University of Edinburgh. His clinical and research interests include targeted therapies in HIV-related malignancies.

He has a particular interest in communication in palliative care, especially how healthcare professionals approach difficult conversations and goals-of-care discussions. He is passionate about developing practical communication skills that enable clinicians to better understand what matters to patients and communicate with greater clarity and compassion.

Dr Tomek Piorkowski is a haematopathologist at PathCare Gauteng. He obtained his FC Path (Haematopathology) in 2023 and holds an MMed in Haematology and an MBChB from the University of Pretoria. His professional experience encompasses diagnostic haematopathology, laboratory managements, and transfusion medicine, including a previous role as Transfusion Medicine Manager at the South African National Blood Service. His interests include haematological malignancies, molecular diagnostics, laboratory quality systems and translational research.

Natasha Nunan is a highly accomplished Oncology and Haematology Professional Nurse with more than 20 years of experience in clinical oncology, nursing leadership, stem cell transplantation, managed healthcare, and clinical research. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) degree from the Medical University of Southern Africa and has completed advanced international training at the University of Public Health in Jönköping, Sweden, where she specialised in oncology, haematology, community health, psychiatric care, international child health, and oncology pain management.

Drina Lee Heyns is a seasoned healthcare professional with extensive experience in oncology nursing, patient care, and pharmaceutical sales. Beginning her career in 2002 at Netcare Kingsway Hospital, she progressed from a Pupil Enrolled Nurse to a Registered Nurse, specializing in emergency and orthopaedic care. She later developed a strong focus on oncology, working at several institutions, including Rainbow Oncology Centre and King Abdul Aziz National Guard Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, where she provided comprehensive chemotherapy support and patient education.

Dr Gugu Jali is a specialist Clinical Haematologist, Senior Consultant, and Lecturer based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She holds joint appointments at Victoria Mxenge Hospital and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), where she completed her MBChB and Master of Medicine in Haematology. Furthering her expertise, she earned a Certificate in Clinical Haematology from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and a Diploma in Palliative Medicine from the University of Cape Town.

Dr Jasmine Ramiah is a Clinical Haematology Subspecialty Fellow at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She qualified as a Haematopathologist in 2024 and holds an MBChB, MMed in Haematology, and Fellowship of the College of Pathologists of South Africa.

Dr Ramiah has contributed to research in laboratory haematology, infectious disease and sickle cell disease. Her publications include “Performance of the automated Sysmex XN-3000 analyser for detecting white blood cell abnormalities in South Africa,” published in the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine in 2023, as well as a recent co-authored publication, “Pathogenesis of chikungunya arthritis: A scoping review,” published in Global Health. Her current research interests focus on sickle cell disease from a Southern African perspective.

Andrea Brummer is a highly respected Oncology Nurse with over three decades of experience in haematology and oncology care. A graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, where she earned her Bachelor of Nursing with distinction, Andrea has built her career across leading institutions including Pretoria Academic Hospital, Jakaranda Hospital, and Astrid Clinic, before establishing her long-standing role at the Mary Potter Oncology Centre.

At Mary Potter, Andrea has become a cornerstone of patient care and innovation, specializing in chemotherapy administration, stem cell transplant coordination, and clinical trial involvement. She is also recognized for her contributions to palliative care, accreditation processes, and patient education initiatives.

Lauren Pretorius is the Chief Executive Officer of Campaigning for Cancer, a South African patient advocacy organisation dedicated to improving access to cancer care and ensuring that the voices of patients and healthcare consumers are represented in health system decision-making. With more than two decades of experience in health advocacy, social entrepreneurship and non-profit strategy, Lauren has worked across cancer policy, access to medicines, patient advocacy and Health Technology Assessment (HTA).

Comfort Maluleke is a patient advocate, Senior Case Manager, and Director with more than seven years of experience navigating the intersection of healthcare, case management, and patient rights in South Africa.

As Senior Case Manager at Campaigning for Cancer NPC, Mr Maluleke is responsible for guiding patients through the complexities of accessing the cancer treatment they are entitled to, across both private and public health sectors. He oversees the organisation’s day-to-day Case Management Services and serves as Supervisor and Project Lead for the case management team.

Dr Romana Jassat completed her undergraduate medical training at the University of Natal in 2012, followed by community service at Sebokeng Regional Hospital. She subsequently specialised in Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand, qualifying as a specialist physician in 2021 while completing her Masters of Medicine in the discipline of Internal Medicine with distinction.

After volunteering in the Haematology Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, she was awarded the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Fellowship in Clinical Haematology. She completed fellowship training within the Wits circuit, gaining experience in clinical haematology, hematopathology and stem cell transplantation, including training at Alberts Cellular Therapy (ACT).

Dr. Gary Sudwarts is a pioneering South African interventional radiologist who has significantly contributed to the advancement of minimally invasive image guided treatments in women’s health, in South Africa. He pioneered access to Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) for fibroids and more lately Fallopian Tube Recanalisation (FTR) for infertility.

He has a special interest in Emobolotherapy: blocking arteries (in an image guided intervention) either as a standalone therapy or in combination with other therapeutic treatments for varied and expanding list of clinical indications: including acute bleeding, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, metastatic or primary cancers, rectal haemorrhoids and chronic pain.

He received his medical training in Cape Town, Johannesburg and London. Dr. Sudwarts continues to contribute to research, teaching and advocacy to expand access to minimally invasive and life changing procedures that he and his team at the Microsurgery perform

Daleen Kriel is a consultant in haematopathology at the Groote Schuur and Red Cross Children’s Hospital NHLS laboratories. She is a general haematopathologist actively involved in consultative haematology and reporting of morphology, coagulation, haemoglobinopathy testing and flow cytometry. She enjoys teaching and training, and values pragmatic approaches to everyday haematology questions.

Dr Jaimendra P. Singh is a Clinical Haematologist and Specialist Physician based at Capital Haematology Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Natal and completed his Fellowship through the College of Physicians of South Africa. With extensive experience in blood disorders, malignant haematology, and stem cell transplantation, Dr Singh is a respected voice in the South African haematology community. His combination of academic excellence, clinical expertise, and practical experience in managing patients with complex blood disorders makes him ideally positioned to share valuable insights on the evolving management of haemophilia.