SPEAKERS

Conference Speakers

Dr Bruce Williams

Podiatrist

Dr Bruce Williams is a US based Podiatrist with over 33 years of experience. Dr Williams specializes in sports medicine, biomechanics and the use of foot orthotics, with a focus on the use of video analysis and pressure mapping and how they both aid in diagnosis and treatment for foot, ankle and lower extremity issues. He has treated many high-level athletes at both the collegiate and professional levels. He has provided many lectures and key notes both in the USA and internationally. He is a past-president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, and Board Certified in Foot Surgery from the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery. www.breakthroughsportsperformance.com

Bruce E. Williams, DPM, DABPS
President, Breakthrough Sports Performance, LLC
Sports Medical Professional Specialized in Treatment of Foot, Ankle, and the Lower Extremity
Experienced Expert Witness for Injuries of the Foot, Ankle, Lower Extremity and Spinal Injury
Past President and Fellow, American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine

Phone: 219-510-3847
docorange.sports@gmail.com
www.breakthroughsportsperformance.com

Talysha Reeve

Podiatrist & Lecturer

University of South Australia; The Progressive Podiatry Project
Talysha Reeve is a passionate, experienced podiatrist and career coach and mentor.
Having been in practice for over 16 years, her particular area of clinical interest has evolved into the assessment and management of complex & chronic musculoskeletal conditions of the lower extremity, with particular focus on their treatment via exercise & movement-based therapies.

Currently Talysha spreads her time between developing & delivering educational content for The Progressive Podiatry Project education platform, academic lecturing & biomechanics clinical supervision at the University of South Australia, clinical content creation for VALD, musculoskeletal clinical practice, injury management consultancy and contributes to the operations of the Podiatry Board of Australia.

Dr Lervasen Pillay

Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician Specialist

With an MBChB from University of Pretoria and MSc(Med)Sports Medicine from University of Witwatersrand Dr Lervasen Pillay has a Sports and Exercise Medicine practice where he cares for various levels of athletes in Football, Cricket, Rugby, Gymnastics, Horse-riders, Motor-cross, Netball and Athletics as well as non-communicable diseases (including exercise oncology and lifestyle-related illnesses). He joins Section Sports Medicine as a full time lecturer.
He is presently completing his PhD through the University of Amsterdam where he is investigating male football players health.

He serves as an external examiner at other institutions, the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Commission Chairperson at South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS), a member of the International Tennis Integrity Association TUE committee, a SASCOC accredited provider, the CMO for Events Medical Consulting, a founding member of the International Society of Exercise Oncology and presently serves on the EXCO of the South African Sports Medicine Association.
Previously he was the CMO for team SA at World Champs Daegu 2011, Africa Champs Benin 2012, AUSC games Angola 2016, Bidvestwits FC head of medical (2007-2017), one of Orlando Pirates doctors (2017-2020), Pro-Touch cycling team doctor (2017-2022), Premier Soccer League CMO (2020-2022), Doping Control Officer for the 2009 Confederations Cup at Loftus, Central Gauteng Lions team doctor (2015 to 2022).
He has been involved on several platforms providing the public with sports and exercise medicine related information.
He has authored and co-authored several sports and exercise medicine related publications and position statements in peer reviewed journals and presented oral and poster presentations at local and International Conferences.

Sean Pincus

Podiatrist

Sean Pincus qualified as a Podiatrist in 1990, and added a BSc Honours in 1999.
He started full time clinical general podiatric practice in 1991 in Johannesburg, in 2010 he relocated to Cape Town and is now a founding partner of Cape Podiatry, and remains active as consultant Podiatrist.
While his practice is general his main focus has been on biomechanics, and orthotic design as part of holistic management of sports injuries. He has always maintained the following, `Diagnosis dictates management`, and `Holistic management includes all other disciplines necessary to fully rehabilitate an injured athlete`.
Since qualifying the evolution of clinical practice has seen him move from bespoke handmade orthoses to fully embracing the digital world.

He has served the Podiatric profession in the following capacities
24 years on the Podiatry association of South Africas` excecitive
Head of the advisory committee to the Podiatry faculty
Congress chairman in 2015 and 2019
He has lectured at numerous PASA congresses as well as SASMA, SAFSA, as well as many other occasions to peers across many disciplines
He was part of a core group of Podiatrists that forced the recognition of podiatry back into Groote Schuur Hospital
It remains his greatest wish to see Podiatry grow into its rightful place as custodians of foot health

Maud Letzler

Advocate of the High Court of South Africa

Maud Letzler is an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and a leading legal expert in healthcare and medical law, with over 15 years of experience advising clinicians, hospitals, insurers, and regulators. As Head of Legal at Genoa Underwriting Managers, she oversees medico-legal risk, professional indemnity, and regulatory compliance for healthcare professionals across South Africa. Maud is also an accredited mediator and international arbitrator, frequently engaged in disciplinary defence, medical malpractice litigation, and health sector governance. She is a regular speaker on informed consent, AI in healthcare, ethical practice, and the legal duties of health professionals.

Dr Anette Telmo Thompson

Dr Anette Telmo Thompson holds a PhD in clinical medicine from the University of KwaZulu-Natal for her work on aspects of peripheral arterial disease in diabetes, as well as a Masters’ degree of Technology in Podiatry cum laude from the University of Johannesburg. Her postgraduate research work in collaboration with the local footwear industry resulted in the first database of foot measurements in South Africa using 3-D laser scanning methods. Further measurement surveys were added over the following 20 years – data that has been used to design footwear manufactured in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom. Her formative efforts were recognized in 2002 by the Galderma Pharmaceutical Award for Podiatric Research.

In 2020, she was conferred fellowship of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, Royal Society of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow. She is listed as an honorary lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal at which she continues post-doctoral research.

As a recipient of a National Research Foundation THRIP (Technology and Human Resources in Industry Program) grant, Anette continues to work in industry, applying modern podiatric research to design issues in the footwear manufacturing industry. As a last designer, she has guided the design of footwear products ranging from industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) safety shoes to fashion footwear for women to school and children’s shoes.

A published author, Anette writes for peer-reviewed medical journals. Her research into foot axial alignment for footwear manufacture was published in a textbook on ergonomic design. Anette was previously active in podiatry education and in the last 20 years mentored seven graduates who later entered private and state medical practice. She has written for mass media and been a guest on TV programs as well as local radio.

As the past lead of the (now discontinued) Footwear Committee of the SA Podiatry Association, Anette is a member of Telmo LLC registered in the USA and Japan, an entity which collaborates with other podiatrists and scientists, working on diverse science projects including footwear research. As such, Telmo compiles voluntary guidelines for its footwear manufacture clients based on research into foot morphology, physiology and function.

Anette’s special interests include the diabetic foot, shoe fit and comfort, and foot development.

Hema Gosai

Podiatrist

Hema Gosai is a healthcare professional with over 26 years’ experience in podiatry, spanning clinical practice, academic teaching, and research supervision. She has trained and mentored future clinicians, contributed to evidence-based practice, and worked across public, private, and tertiary education sectors.
Expanding her scope beyond podiatry, Hema is also a certified advanced breathwork practitioner and yoga teacher, blending science and mindfulness to promote holistic
wellbeing.

She facilitates clinical, ethical, and holistic programs that equip healthcare teams and individuals to regulate the nervous system, manage stress, and reconnect with purpose.
At PASA 2025, she brings her distinctive blend of clinical expertise and mindful practice to address stress and burnout in podiatry, offering grounded, practical tools to build resilience, sustain presence, and enhance wellbeing in practice.

Chandani Gopal

Podiatrist

Chandani Gopal is a qualified Podiatrist with a strong interest in interdisciplinary patient-centred care, pain management, and ethical
healthcare delivery. She earned her degree in Podiatric Medicine from the University of Johannesburg in 2016 and went on to complete a Postgraduate
Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management at the University of Cape Town in 2019. In 2023, she embarked on a Master’s degree in Bioethics and
Health Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, with graduation expected by 2026.

Since 2017, Chandani has been practising in a private practice setting in Cape Town, where she continues to provide comprehensive podiatric care.
Her favourite podiatric concerns to treat include biomechanical issues, rehabilitating ingrown and damaged toenails, and helping her patients walk
out pain-free. Her clinical approach is grounded in patient-centred values and evidence-based medicine, with a particular emphasis on integrative
treatment planning and the ethical dimensions of care, always striving for the best possible outcomes for her patients.
In addition to her clinical and academic work, Chandani is also a trained Indian Classical dancer, having graduated in Bharatanatyam in 2015.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, staying active, exploring Cape Town and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Dennis Rehbock

Sports Podiatrist

Dennis Rehbock is a Sports Podiatrist. He completed his studies at the University of Johannesburg in 1980 (first group to ever qualify in South Africa), and his Post grad BSC Honours Podiatric studies – University of Brighton (UK). Dennis is in podiatric sports medicine and general podiatric practice in Johannesburg, with a special interest in podiatric sports medicine, technical running shoes, sports medicine, nail and wart surgery.

He has been a lecturer and Clinician for the Department of Podiatry at the University of Johannesburg since 1982 – for 43 years. He is a regular contributor to Radio 702 talk shows, and a regular contributor to many sport and professional publications. Dennis is also a regular presenter at national congresses in podiatry and sports medicine and has been invited to present at two international congresses in Naples, Italy in 2017 and 2018.

Naples, Italy. April 2017 | Methodology And Practical Application World Congress | Globalization of podiatry: Morphology, Anatomical and Biomechanical diversity of the South African foot.

Naples, Italy. April 2018 | Methodology And Practical Application World Congress | 1. The Comrades Marathon and the associated medical and podiatric issues 2. Technical Running Shoes – A clinical perspective [with world famous podiatrists Kevin Kirby (USA), Craig Payne (Australia), Howard Dananberg (USA), Maurizio Mazzoncini (Italy), Dr David Armstrong (USA).

Dennis has been running and involved in running for more than 50 years. At first ran for JHAC and now for JEPPE QUANDAM. He has a best marathon time: 3.06. Ran the Comrades Marathon (92km) in 1978 in 9.30. Ran the Two Oceans Marathon (56km) in 1987. Ran the New York Marathon (42km) in 2015. Ran the Singapore Marathon (42.2km) in 1998. Dennis has run many other local races; and is still running and walking.

Email – footdoc13@yahoo.com
Website – www.footdoctor.co.za

Lauren Brown

Podiatrist

Lauren Brown is a registered podiatrist with over a decade of clinical experience and a special focus on wound care, sports medicine, and nail surgery. She established her private practice at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital in 2011, where she integrates advanced gait analysis and custom orthotic fabrication into patient care. In 2016, she founded Wounds@Waterfall, a specialist wound care service, and has since become a recognized leader in lower-limb wound management.

Lauren has served as Gauteng Chair of the South African Podiatry Association and currently chairs the Wits Sports Health Running Interest Group. In 2024, she was appointed to the Essity Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Board for wound care. A frequent speaker at national conferences and contributor to health publications, Lauren is passionate about multidisciplinary collaboration and advancing podiatric practice in South Africa.

Dr Bernhard Zipfel

Biological Anthropologist

Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

e-mail: Bernhard.Zipfel@wits.ac.za

Website:- https://bernhardzipfel.owlstown.net/

Bernhard Zipfel is a biological anthropologist with a special interest in the biomechanics and evolution of the human foot, the origins of hominin bipedalism, palaeopathology and the preservation of natural history collections.

He became the University Curator of Fossil and Rock Collections at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007 and was formerly the Head of the Department of Podiatry at the University of Johannesburg (1990-2006). He curates all fossil and rock collections housed at the Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand. He holds qualifications in Podiatry and Post-School Education from the University of Johannesburg, a B.Sc. (Honours) from the University of Brighton and a Ph.D. from the University of the Witwatersrand. He has been honoured as a Lifetime Member of the Podiatry Association of South Africa (2010), is the past President of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa (2012 to 2014), and recognised as a Fellow of the South African Podiatry Association (2019).

Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie

Public Health Expert

Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie is a public health expert and passionate advocate with two decades of experience at the intersection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health systems strengthening, and policy advocacy across Africa. He is the Co-founder of the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre, where he also serves as a research lead, and the Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance, South Africa’s foremost multi-stakeholder platform for diabetes advocacy and coordination.

Patrick holds a PhD in Public Health, a Master of Public Health, and a Medical Degree, equipping him with a rare blend of clinical insight and public health strategy. His work is rooted in improving outcomes for people living with diabetes, particularly through innovation, mental health integration, treatment literacy, and community-based care models.

Patrick is a 2024 Fellow of the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme, a Salim Yusuf Emerging Leader (2024) with the World Heart Federation, and a Senior Fellow of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Through his work, Patrick is committed to amplifying the voices of people living with NCDs, challenging systemic inertia, and building a future where African health systems are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all.