Conference Co-Chair: Dr Jesne Kistan
MBCHB, FCPHM(SA), MMed (Community Health), PG Dip Pall Med
Dr Jesne Kistan is a qualified public health medicine specialist who branched into the field of Palliative Medicine. She is one of the Clinical leads at the Association of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa (PALPRAC) expanding access to palliative care in both the public and private health care sector. She is also the co-founder of Zazen Respite Care, an inpatient palliative care unit built on the principles of social solidarity, based in Gauteng.
Conference Co-Chair: Warren Oxford-Huggett
Master of Theology (UKZN)
Warren Oxford-Huggett completed a Bachelor of Theology from the University of KwaZulu Natal in 1993 and went on to complete a Master of Theology degree in 1995 at the same institution. He is presently the Accreditation Manager for APCC where he is tasked with overseeing the support and development of member organisations in their compliance with the Palliative Healthcare Standards (Quality Assurance). Warren was the CEO of Msunduzi Hospice in Pietermartizburg and is the accreditation co-ordinator in KZN and recently completed the ISQus specialist certificate in Quality Improvement. Warren has a strong track record in project management and the development of others and has the ability to develop and stick to budgets in difficult circumstances. His previous experience as a rector/vicar honed his communication and interpersonal skills and he enjoys interacting with others to develop ideas and creative solutions.
Scientific Committee Co-Chair (Adult): Dr Colleen Cox
MBBCh; FC Rad Onc (SA); PG Dip Pal Med; MPhil Pall Med
Dr Colleen Cox is a clinical and radiation oncologist, specifically now working in palliative oncology. Her qualifications include MBBCh in 1994, FC Rad Onc (SA) in 2001, PG Dip Pal Med in 2016 and MPhil Pal Med in 2023.
She is a founding member of PALPRAC and has contributed to various South African palliative care guidelines. She has worked to advocate for palliative care services in KZN as part of the Department of Health provincial and district palliative care task teams.
Currently she practises as a palliative oncologist in Durban in the state and hospice sectors. Colleen is also involved in palliative care teaching. Her focus is on supporting holistic patient- and family-centred care, and in particular how to facilitate coping and to maintain realistic hope in the face of life-threatening illness.
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Scientific Committee Co-Chair (Adult): Dr Thilo Govender
MBChB, FCPHM(SA) DCH, DOH, DHSM, Dip Pall Med
Dr Thilo Govender is a Public Health Medicine Specialist, having received her MBChB at the University of KwaZulu Natal. She qualified as a Public Health Medicine Specialist in 2000. Thilo has Postgraduate Diplomas in Child Health, Occupational Health, Health Service Management, and in Palliative Medicine which she received from the University of Cape Town in 2015.
Currently she is studying for a Fellowship in Global Palliative Care through the St Christopher’s Hospice in the UK and the Institute of Palliative Medicine in Kerala. She is based at King Dinuzulu Hospital in Durban and has a limited private practice in Palliative Medicine.
Scientific Committee Co-Chair (Paediatric): Dr Samantha Govender
MBChB, FCPaeds, MMed (Paeds)
Dr Samantha Govender qualified as a Paediatrician and also obtained a Diploma in Child Health from the College of Medicine South Africa. She also obtained her MMed from the University of KZN were she also completed her undergraduate degree in Medicine in 2007. Samantha is a Paediatrician based at General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital (previously known as Stanger) in the iLembe Region In KwaZulu Natal. She has a special interest in Paediatric Palliative care and has successfully completed the Post graduate Diploma in Paediatric Palliative Care through UCT in 2017. She is passionate about advocating for palliative care for her patients as well as educating health care workers about the benefits of palliative care with the aim of achieving a good quality of life for their patients. Dr Govender has recently been elected as the Chairperson of the Board for PatchSA.
Scientific Committee Co-Chair (Paediatric): Tracey Brand
MSW (Clincial Practice) UKZN
Tracey graduated from the then University of Natal, Durban with an Honours Degree in Social Work in 1995. She started her career as a social worker for the Margate & District Child & Family Welfare Society. From there she moved on to project manage various AIDS programmes, focusing on the care and well-being of children. In 2003 Tracey graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban with a Master of Social Work (Clinical Practice) and she also holds a post-graduate diploma in Marriage Guidance & Counselling. From 2008 to 2012, as project manager, Tracey opened the Durban Branch of the Bigshoes Foundation. It was through this work that she cultivated an interest in paediatric palliative care. Since then Tracey has been involved in teaching and training doctors, nurses and social workers in paediatric palliative care and has designed course work material for this purpose. She also provides direct services to children and their families. In January 2013 Tracey co-founded Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children, an NPO set up to continue the work of Bigshoes in KZN. She is also an honorary lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics, UKZN Nelson Mandela Medical School.