exco members
Meet the founding team of SAFOSS
South African Female Orthopaedic Surgeons' Society
South African Female Orthopaedic Surgeons' Society
Meet the founding team of SAFOSS
Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Doctor Marí Thiart is a consultant Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, based in Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital. She graduated in 2015 at Stellenbosch University and spent two years in Southamton, United Kingdom, first as fellow and then a locum consultant before returning to Tygerberg Hospital. She runs the Paediatric unit and has a special interest in Bone and Joint infections, Cerebral Palsy and Limb Reconstruction. She is a member of the South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society, South Africa Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society as well as the South African Academy for Childhood Disability. She is a member of the AAOS, the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. Marí is part of the IODA (International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance) EXCO member, and was recently appointed as the 2nd VP. As one of the of the 5% of Orthopaedic Surgeons in South Africa, Marí is passionate about advancing women and promoting Orthopaedics as a viable specialization option for women.
Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Doctor Dina Simmons completer her undergraduate training at Wits University in 2002. After her internship and community service she joined the Orthopaedic Department at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital. Dr Simmons completed her training in 2010. Since completion, Dr Simmons has worked in the Paediatric Orthopaedic unit. Her special interests include Cerebral Palsy and its orhopaedic management and the management of neglect and non-accidental trauma. Dr Simmons was the founding member of the neurodevelopmental multidisciplinary team at CMJAH. She is committed to the treatment of all children and fights to provide a world class service to our poorest patients. Dr Simmons is also involved in outreach multidisciplinary training for the management of Clubfoot. Dr Simmons is very involved in the teaching and curriculum development for undergraduate and postgraduate students in medicine and allied disciplines. She is a member of SAPOS ( South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society) and a founding EXCO member of the Southern African Academy of Childhood disability. She is married with three children.
Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Doctor Arushka Naidoo was the first South African Indian female to ever qualify as an Orthopaedic Surgeon. She is the head of Clinical Unit Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban. She is the undergraduate coordinator of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). She is an EXCO member of SAPOS.
Orthopedic Registrar
Doctor Lebo Pule is currently a fourth year Orthopaedic Surgery Registrar at the University of Pretoria. She is of the strong opinion that women must start occupying leadership roles in Orthopaedics world-wide. She has always had a a passion for Orthopaedics, seeing it as a rewarding speciality for surgeon and patient. Her SAFOSS goal is to attract more women into Orthopaedics and build their confidence. “Strive for excellence and doing so, both elegantly and with finesse.”