Committee

The executive committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting which is held at the biennial SANRA conference. Once elected, the executive committee comprises a chairman, chairman-elect, treasurer, secretary, newsletter editor, website coordinator and additional members as necessary. All terms of office run for a period of two years. Committee members other than the chairman may be re-elected for a second term. Portfolio holders and committee members are put forward through volunteering or nomination and elected by open vote at the Annual General Meeting

Chair
Karyn Casey	skcasey@wol.co.za	Speech Therapist
Karyn Casey is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is in Private Practice in Johannesburg, South Africa. Following graduation from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1997, she began working in the public sector, treating adults with neurogenic speech, language and swallowing disorders. Karyn’s main area of interest is in dysphagia and she has completed many post-graduate training courses in dysphagia, apraxia and neurorehabilitation, including post-graduate training in the USA in dysphagia management and treatment. Her current research interests include an investigation of the association between cognition and dysphagia in individuals with dementia, at the University of Cape Town. Karyn holds multiple training and teaching positions, including that of clinical tutor at the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as conducting training workshops for ICU staff, care facilities and fellow rehabilitation professionals. She is also a senior therapist at Headway, the association for people with brain injury, in South Africa.  Karyn is currently the Chairperson of the South African Neurological Rehabilitation Association.
Secretary
Debbie Barrie	debarrie@gmail.com	Occupational Therapy
Debbie Barrie grew up in Stellenbosch and                   completed her Occupational Therapy degree at Stellenbosch   University in 2004.  After her community service year at Mseleni Hospital in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, she worked as the Lead OT for Neurology at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, England from 2006.  It was during this time that her passion for adult rehabilitation developed.  Since returning to South Africa, Debbie has worked in all aspects of adult rehabilitation – including neuro, spinal and orthopaedic rehabilitation.  Debbie has completed her coursework Masters degree in neurosciences at WITs University.  Her mini-thesis dealt with finding the best time to give information to patients and family members regarding their disability and way forward.  She currently works for Rita Henn & Partners Inc. based at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.Outside of work, Debbie plays the flute, is interested in photography and enjoys hiking.
Treasurer
Nicole Duff	jigglynduff@gmail.com	Physiotherapist
Nicole Duff graduated with her BSc Physiotherapy (cum laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2006. She worked at Chris Hani Baragwanath before moving into private practice in 2008. She completed her MSc in Adult Neurology in 2012 with a research report titled Perceived Factors Influencing Return to Work After Stroke. She worked in London in the NHS from 2012-2013 before returning home to start Nicole Duff Rehabilitation in 2014. She is currently the neurophysio for Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
Dr Riyas Fadal	riyas.fadal@lifehealthcare.co.za	National Manager Complementary Services
Riyas completed his medical degree in 2000 and following his internship and community service practiced as a staff physician in stroke medicine and geriatrics in the UK. In 2007 he completed his Masters in Sports Medicine and was subsequently appointed as the Chief Medical officer of Wheelchair Basketball South Africa; team doctor for Kaizer Chiefs and Athletic South Africa. In 2009 Riyas completed his MBA and his research on sports performance based on an econometric analysis and organisational design was published in the international Journal of Social Economics; Business Day and Forbes Magazine. In 2009 Riyas was awarded a scholarship to attend Berkeley (UCLA) in partnership with Barcelona Graduate School of Economics and Pompe Fabra to complete an executive leadership development program on health policy and health systems change. Riyas is passionate about public health, promoting access to quality affordable healthcare; and performance enhancement. In this regard he has spent his past 6 years working both in his private practice as a Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician; as well as with leading local and international companies to design and implement risk based strategies.In 2015, Riyas accepted an appointment to join the Life Healthcare Acute Rehabilitation team and share in the ongoing journey of achieving and maintaining clinical excellence in rehabilitation medicine.
Victoria Goodstein	goodsteinv@gmail.com	Registered Counselor
Victoria Goodstein is a Registered Counsellor specialising in Trauma. Following graduating from UCT in 1999, she went on to work in inclusive education for the next 10 years. Whilst working with special needs children her interest in neurology developed, and in particular neurological rehabilitation. She then left education to do her counselling internship at Headway, the association for adults with brain injury. She currently runs her own private practice, dealing with children and adults, and handles trauma response for Maureen Kark and Associates.