Shaping the Physical Rehabilitation Medicine in Africa: 2025 Africa Fellowship Graduates Set to Pioneer PRM Service
March 25, 2025
International Rehabilitation Forum Celebrates Graduation of 2025 Fellows, Pioneering Global Rehabilitation Efforts
Virtual Event, March 12, 2025 - The International Rehabilitation Forum (IRF) celebrated the graduation of nine fellows from the Africa Fellowship Program, marking a key milestone in our commitment to build a network of local experts and leaders who will establish Physical Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) services in their countries. Launched in 2018, the IRF Africa Fellowship Program has quickly become a driving force in training physicians across Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to comprehensive PRM services remains limited. Our program aims to equip local physicians with specialty training in PRM so they can integrate sustainable, contextually relevant rehabilitation practices into health systems in their country and across their continent.
Keynote Address
The graduation featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Francesca Gimigliano, former president of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM). She warmly welcomed the graduates into the global PRM community, highlighting the value of diverse and inclusive international collaboration. Dr. Gimigliano encouraged our graduates to engage with and contribute to the field beyond their national borders.
Dr. Andrew Haig, president and founder of IRF, reflected on the program's success as a testament to teamwork. Citing PRM pioneer Dr. Howard Rusk, he emphasized that progress in rehabilitation medicine has always depended on collective effort. Dr. Haig underscored that same spirit of collaboration as key to addressing today’s global health challenges.
Awards and Recognition
Special recognition was given to fellows and faculty for their outstanding contributions:
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Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Adam Lamm, voted by the fellows themselves to recognize a lecturer whose teaching has been the most impactful and inspiring
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Fellowship Impact Award: Dr. Samantha du Preez, voted by the fellows themselves, recognizing a peer who has been the most inspiring and exemplary throughout the fellowship.
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Best Thesis Award: Dr. Samantha du Preez
- “Early Predictors of Post-Stroke Spasticity – A Retrospective Review to Assess the Predictive Value of the Modified Ashworth Scale and Fugl Meyer Scores in an Acute Rehabilitation Setting”
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Changemaker Award: Dr. Francois Theron, recognizing a fellow whose active engagement and contributions helped fellowship experience more rich and who has demonstrated visionary leadership to drive meaningful change in rehabilitation
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Outstanding Achievement Award: Dr. Aneesa Khan, presented to the graduating fellow with the highest score on the final exam, recognizing outstanding academic achievement, deep understanding of rehabilitation principles, and exceptional dedication to learning
The ceremony also featured reflections from graduates who shared their gratitude and future aspirations. Dr. Aneesa Khan, a graduate from South Africa and a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award spoke of the leadership skills honed during the fellowship and her plans to apply these in her ongoing work.
Appreciation for Volunteer Faculty: Special thanks were extended to the volunteer faculty, whose dedication and expertise have been instrumental in the program's success.
Looking Forward: As the event concluded, Miriam Chun, Executive Director reiterated the importance of continued engagement and growth within the international PRM community. "Our graduates are not just leaving with a diploma—they are entering a lifelong journey of innovation and leadership in rehabilitation medicine. We are excited to see the marks they will make on the world," Ms. Chun noted.
Graduate Highlights
The event highlighted the remarkable achievements of nine graduating fellows.
- Dr. Theresa Coetzer, South Africa
- Project Title: Starting a Neurological Botulinum Toxin Clinic
- Dr. Samantha du Preez, South Africa
- Early Predictors of Spasticity in Stroke Patients
- Dr. Mario Greyling, South Africa
- The Altered Awareness Management Programme (AMP) Reduces Length of Stay in Hospital and Reduces Re-admissions
- Dr. Bibi Fatima Hayat, South Africa
- The Utilisation/Uptake of Outpatient Rehabilitation in an Urban Stroke Unit
- Dr. Aneesa Khan, South Africa
- Transforming Spinal Cord Injury Care: Insights from a Structured Follow-Up Program
- Dr. Kate Adomakowaah Kontor, Ghana
- Assessing the Rehabilitation Needs of Cancer Patients at a Tertiary Center in Ghana; A Single Center Mixed-Methods Study
- Dr. André Nel, South Africa
- Overview of Spasticity for the Multidisciplinary Team
- Dr. Tariku Tadese Warabu, Ethiopia
- Running of Ethiopian Prosthetic and Orthotic Service
- Dr. Francois Theron, South Africa
- Optimising Rehabilitation Ward Nursing: A Proposed Protocol for Tailored Patient Observations
About IRF
The International Rehabilitation Forum (IRF) is a non-profit organization committed to fostering expertise and collaboration in the development of relevant rehabilitation medicine practices in low-resource countries. Through its emphasis on capacity building, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy, the IRF aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities and rehabilitation needs, particularly those who are most vulnerable, receive the necessary care to regain their independence.
Areas you can get involved in the IRF
IRF partners with passionate minds and professionals with a variety of skills and backgrounds. We are physicians, nurses, rehabilitation consumers, allied health professionals, philanthropists, business admins, advocates and more. Together we transform the health paradigm to include rehabilitation medicine in low resource countries.
Currently seeking support in:
- Volunteer faculty for africa fellowship
- Social media enthusiast
- Fundraising
We are also looking for partnerships with medical institutions where IRF’s Africa Fellows can visit and gain hands-on experiences in PM&R practices and multidisciplinary PM&R team.