NEWSLETTER
Dear Colleagues and Students,
Welcome to the March 2026 edition of the School of Clinical Medicine Newsletter.
As we progress through the academic year, this issue celebrates the remarkable talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit that define our School. From leadership appointments and national awards to research milestones and academic symposia, the achievements featured here highlight the excellence of our staff and students in clinical care, teaching, and research
Congratulations to all colleagues recognized in this edition. Your accomplishments bring pride to the School and inspire everyone around you Whether advancing specialist training, strengthening public healthcare, leading impactful research, or fostering academic dialogue, your work contributes meaningfully to our shared mission.
We also extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to this newsletter and the initiatives it represents Your collective efforts across our clinical platforms, academic departments, and partner institutions ensure that the School remains innovative, responsive, and committed to service
We are pleased to announce that the School now holds a two-year subscription with Gideon (please see further details in the newsletter for access links).
May 2026 be a year of continued growth, collaboration, and impact for our School.
Happy reading, and thank you for being part of our journey
Prof Mboyo-Di-Tamba Willy Vangu Acting Head of School
StaffAppointmentsandPromotions
ActingAssistantHeadofSchool-ClusterHeadC
Meet Adjunct Professor Ashraf Coovadia
Acting Assistant Head of School – Cluster Head C
Prof Ashraf Coovadia holds qualifications in MBChB, DCH (CMSA), Dip HIV Man (CMSA), FCP (Paed CMSA), and PG Dip HSE (Wits).
In 2025, he was grandfathered in as a Paediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) subspecialist by the HPCSA.
He has served as Academic Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Witwatersrand since October 2016, and as Head of Department of Paediatrics at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg since January 2014
Prof Coovadia completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Zambia in 1990 and went on to complete his paediatric postgraduate training at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1998.
His current areas of interest include medical education, paediatric emergency medicine training, advocacy for South Africa’s public healthcare system, and the use of artificial intelligence in medical education.
HeadofDepartmentAppointment
Congratulations to Dr Coceka Mnyani with her appointment as Head of Department - Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology from 1 January 2026
Dr Mnyani is a Clinician Scientist and a Wits-trained Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with over two decades of experience working in maternal and women’s health in various settings She has worked in full-time clinical practice and as an academic in the public sector.
She has also worked in donor and donor-funded organisations, and in the pharmaceutical industry where
she gained extensive experience working in various healthcare settings in South Africa, and in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Dr Mnyani also trained in maternal-fetal medicine and was the recipient of the Wits-Carnegie fellowship for both her PhD and post-doctoral studies. Her special interest is in HIV-related maternal health and was one of the lead clinicians in the Soweto PMTCT programme, one of the largest in the country
She has published widely in both local and international peer-reviewed journals and is a reviewer for several local and international journals. Before her medical degree at the University of Cape Town, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Archaeology
AcademicHeadofDivisionAppointment/s
Congratulations to Dr Jacqui Bezuidenhout with her appointment as Academic Head of DivisionDivision of Paediatric Neurodevelopment from 1 January 2026
Dr Bezuidenhout holds qualifications in MBCHB(UP); DCH(SA); FCPAED(SA); Cert of Development (2015); MSc Neurodevelopment.
She is a Pediatric Developmental specialist at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) Neurodevelopmental Clinic, with a special interest in cerebral palsy, autism
spectrum disorder, and ADHD. She is a senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Wits MSc Neurodevelopment coordinator Through collaborations with Toronto Sick Kids International, Dr Bezuidenhout was a codeveloper of the novel MSc Child Life and Paediatric Psychosocial Care degree, offered in partnership with the School of Therapeutic Sciences and currently in its second cohort of students.
She is passionate about advancing education and advocating for children with disabilities. She serves as the secretary of the Global Professional Education Committee of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (IAACD) and as the chairperson of the Southern African Alliance Academy of Childhood Disability (SA-ChilD) National activities include developing a South
Congratulations to Prof Jennifer Geel with her appointment as Academic Head of DivisionDivision of Paediatric Haematology & Oncology from 1 January 2026.
Prof Geel is the Head of Paediatric HaematologyOncology at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
She currently serves as the president of the Africa branch of the International Paediatric Oncology Society (SIOP Africa) and is the principal African CP register with Dr Gillian Saloojee through the SA-ChilD platform and serving as a clinical director for Special Olympics (Healthy Young Athletes) for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her personal research is focused on establishing a person-centered cerebral palsy register for use in SA.
investigator of the South African National Hodgkin lymphoma group
Appointed Academic Head of Division - Paediatric Haematology & Oncology - 01 January 2026
She is a founder member of SEARCH, which is the research arm of the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology and has co-authored more than 45 peer-reviewed publications. She has a strong interest in stem cell transplantation and the GICC 6 focus cancers and supervises multiple PhDs and Masters’ degrees.
Appointed Academic Head of Division - Paediatric Neuro
Congratulations to Dr Kajaal Parbhoo with her appointment as Academic Head of DivisionDivision of Paediatric Neurology from 1 January 2026.
Dr Parbhoo is a full-time Paediatric Neurologist at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and serves as the GEMP 3 Coordinator for Paediatrics. Since joining the hospital in 2021, she has developed and expanded the paediatric neurology service, including establishing EEG training and a dedicated
Paediatric Neurology fellowship teaching programme for trainees at the University of the Witwatersrand She is deeply passionate about medical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and is committed to strengthening neurology services across the University clinical platform through teaching, support, and the development of effective referral pathways to optimise patient care.
Congratulations to Dr Fikile Mabena with her appointment as Academic Head of DivisionDivisions of Paediatric Infectious Diseases from 1 March 2026.
Dr Mabena works as a paediatrician, infectious diseases specialist and a University of the Witwatersrand clinical lecturer at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. She is a clinician scientist who strives for dignified, evidence-based and compassionate patient care.
She is a part-time PhD student at the Vaccines
& Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (Wits-VIDA). Dr Mabena is an unabashed advocate for marginalised children and young people She is the president of the Southern African Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SASPID). She is grateful to raise their four children with her best friend and husband
Congratulations to Dr Cecil Levy with his appointment as Academic Head of DivisionDivision of Paediatric Nephrology from 1 March 2026.
Dr Levy studied medicine at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and then specialized in Paediatrics on the Wits circuit After serving as a registrar, Dr Levy worked as a general paediatrician at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child
Hospital before moving to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital to do nephrology Dr Levy took over as the head of paediatric nephrology at CMJAH in 2010 and then, in 2017, moved to NMCH to head the unit here soon after the hospital admitted its first patients.
Dr Levy enjoys teaching and interacting with his patients and has a key interest in critical care nephrology His research interests revolve mainly around the social aspects of paediatric kidney disease in South Africa and the inequities that prevent access to tertiary renal care in the country.
DepartmentofInternalMedicine
2026Events
DepartmentofObstetrics&Gynaecology
StaffAchievements
Congratulations to Dr Haroun Rhemtula he was selected as the Second Runner-Up for the Clinical Excellence Award at the South African Health Excellence Awards 2025, which was hosted by the South African Clinicians Society and Clinix Health Group
This is one of the most prestigious recognitions in healthcare, in our country selected by their peers The finalists were distinguished Professors and Doctors representing diverse medical specialties across South Africa, and in the category “ Clinical Excellence Award,” there were 10 nominees.
He noted that he is deeply honoured by the recognition, describing it as both humbling and inspiring He expressed sincere appreciation for the confidence placed in him and emphasised that clinical excellence is never achieved alone, but is the result of shared commitment, collaboration, and a collective passion for improving patient care He added that the recognition motivates him to continue striving for higher standards while remaining committed to learning, serving, and growing
DepartmentofRadiationSciences
Divisionof Radiology(Diagnostic)
StaffAchievements
The Department of Radiology is pleased to sha again the exciting news from Rahima Moosa Moth & Child Hospital and Charlotte Maxe Johannesburg Academic Hospital
Congratulations to Prof Nasreen Mahomed, th Academic Head of Radiology, University Witwatersrand for achieving the CEO’s 20 Excellence Award at Rahima Moosa Mother an Child hospital.
Dr Lungile Gabuza for achieving the First Runnerup for the Best Head of Department (2024/2025) and Dr Eleni Wood for scooping two awards (2024/2025) for the Best Performing Doctor and the Best Registrar at CMJAH
These outstanding accomplishments are a testament to their dedication, radiology expertise, and hard work We are immensely proud of their achievements and wish them continued success
in their professional journeys.
Events
Wits Radiology Breast Imaging Symposium
Prof Nasreen Mahomed chaired the Wits Radiology Breast Imaging Symposium that took place on 17 October 2025
A 144 delegates were awarded HPCSA accredited CPD points and 198 delegates attended from across the provinces in South Africa and also included 3 Academic Heads of Radiology in South Africa
Thank you to the speakers from both the public and private sector, including Radiographers, Nuclear Medicine and Breast Surgery listed in order of presentat Jenny Haberfield Nadia Jajbhay, D r Anith Chacko an
The Wits Radiology Registrar Media Team were:
Dr John Joseph Muringathuparambil
Dr Shamiek Maharaj
Dr Russell Githinji
Our symposium team left to right: Dr Russell Githinji, Dr Shamiek Maharaj, Ms Tshidi Mokebe, Ms Renilwe Motjelele, Ms Zukiswa Malunga, Prof Nasreen Mahomed, Ms Busi Ngoyi, Ms Doris Lamola, Dr John Joseph Muringathuparambil
A heart felt appreciation to all our s strengthening academic radiology in So impactful, accessible medical education
Radhiant
Parklane Radiology
Tecmed
Pink ribbon
Standard Bank
Siemens
BD
IMASA
SchoolNews
During December 2025 a constructive deliberation around the Scaffolding framework towards the envisaged Trilateral Agreement between NWU, Wits and the NWDOH took place. We are looking forward to the collaboration.
2026SchoolFunding
Publication Funding
The School of Clinical Medicine is pleased to announce that funding is available to support publication costs for all staff and students within the School This initiative aims to promote high-quality research outputs and ensure the broader dissemination of scholarly work
Staff and students within the School are encouraged to apply using the link below
1 Application deadline: Monday 30 November 2026
�� [Click here to apply for School publication funding]
2. Additionally, publication funding is also available at the University level.
�� [Click here for more information on University funding opportunities]
We encourage staff and students to make use of this valuable support.
MMedFunding
Boost your research. Present your work. Get the support you need.
The School of Clinical Medicine invites MMed students to apply for fundingplease see the details below:
�� What’s available?
✅ Conference registration (for presenters only):
• Up to R10,000 for local conferences
• Up to R20,000 for international conferences
✅ Research-related expenses:
• Up to R40,000 (negotiable, based on project needs)
✅ Additional support:
• Remote study resources
• Catering (up to R1,000)
• Petrol (SARS rate - R4.76 per km)
• Data and airtime
�� Application Deadlines: 31 March | 29 May | 31 July | 30 September 2026
�� Apply now:
�� SOCM MMed Fund Application
Kindly access the links via https://app.gideononline.com/login or FHS Library https://libguides.wits.ac.za/c.php?g=145330&p=953318
WitsJournalofClinicalMedicine
The Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine (WJCM) is a peer-reviewed scientific research journal published tri-annually It is a forum to showcase scientific research from Clinical Medicine Departments at institutions in South Africa and internationally. The journal is also a portal to highlight pressing health issues of our times and will publish opinion pieces or commentaries in this regard.
The journal aims to provide an opportunity for emerging researchers to publish their work as Open Access and sets out to be the primary dissemination portal for clinical medical scientists from southern Africa The editorial policy of the journal is guided by scientific quality, originality and integrity, and all publications are peer reviewed.
WJCM especially welcomes submissions from younger academics including registrars, fellows and junior consultants, who are encouraged to submit their research.
The Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine is hosted by ScienceOpen.
Kindly liaise with Pam Singh regarding submissions on pam@wjcmcoza
Please send news that you would like to be included in our next newsletter to Rita Kruger - rita.kruger@wits.ac.za
Deadline 30 April 2026