Meet Our
Speakers
Our Speakers
Dr. Ram Hariharan
Consultant in Spinal Injuries at the Princess Royal Spinal Injury Centre (PRSIC), in the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
Biography:
Dr Hariharan specialises in rehabilitation medicine. The PRSIC rehabilitation team are highly specialised and experienced in their care and management of SCI patients and practice a realistic and holistic approach to both rehabilitation and resettlement. They work in close collaboration with SIA’s Support Network Officer, and Dr Hariharan has met with key SIA staff to progress the ongoing relationship between SIA and the Centre.
Dr Hariharan has significant research experience in the field of SCI, and has published a number of articles and presentations in this field. He brings a wealth of clinical experience to SIA’s Governing Council and fully appreciates the vital role played by SIA in Spinal Cord Injury Centres.
Dr. Abhishek Srivasthava
Director, Centre for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, Neuro rehabilitation Specialist MBBS, MD (Rehabilitation Medicine), DNB (Rehabilitation Medicine), Senior Residency (Neurological Rehabilitation), PhD (Neurological Rehabilitation)
Biography:
I am a person Taking up Rehabilitation Medicine for my Post graduation in itself is a reflection of compassion and devotion as I deal with differently abled persons and my relationship with my patients is lifelong and it needs commitment. Doing further advance training in Neurological Rehabilitation and further specialization in Management of patients with Disorders of Consciousness, Rehab Robotics and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy; I have tried to reduce suffering and improve Quality of Life of patients suffering with disorders of consciousness due to brain injury and stroke. The goal of “Adding Life to Years” in such patients, I involve the use of advanced technology, multidisciplinary team and use evidence-based medicine. Being Director of the Rehab Services, I always work with positive attitude, empathy and patience to contribute towards a good, healthy work environment and a motivated team for the upliftment of patient’s outcome.
Dr. Carina Reinhault
MD, PhD. Head of hand surgery and CARE and Senior consultant hand surgeon SUH. Senior consultant in hand surgery and Head of Department of Hand Surgery at the Center for Advanced Reconstruction of Extremities, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.
Biography:
As senior surgeon in advanced reconstructive hand surgery, the field for research is to further improve surgical procedures and concepts for patients with complex hand and arm injuries, paralysis, spasticity, stroke or spinal cord injury. The main field is innovation and development of tetrahand surgery with combinated nerve and tendon transfers and spasticity-correcting surgery, where the strategy is chosen by previous treatment, remaining hand function and cognitive ability.
Dr. Deen Reeves
Physical medicine and Rehabilitation specialist from Kansas City, USA.
Biography:
Dr. K. Dean Reeves is a physiatrist (specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) in the Kansas City area known for his work in regenerative medicine. He is a proponent and leading researcher of prolotherapy, an injection-based treatment used to relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain. Specialty: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with a specialization in pain management using prolotherapy and other injection techniques Dr. Reeves has been in practice for over 20 years and previously served as the Director of Rehabilitation at Meadowbrook Rehab Hospital
Dr. Ian Baguley
Rehabilitation Physician OAM MBBS FAFRM (RACP)
Biography:
A/Prof Baguley is a Consultant Physician in Rehabilitation Medicine. His areas of special interest are Neurological Rehabilitation, Spasticity Management, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. He has published over 70 original articles in peer-reviewed journals. A/Prof Baguley is a regularly invited speaker at national and international scientific meetings.
Dr. Matthew Bartel
Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA.
Biography:
Dr. Bartel received his MD and MPH degrees from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed an internship and internal medicine and rehabilitation residencies at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Prior to becoming the Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in September 2013, Dr. Bartels directed Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and the Human Performance Laboratory at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where he has served as director of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and founder and director of the Human Performance Laboratory.
Over the years, Dr. Bartels has also been recognized for his commitment to educating future physicians, including those outside of his specialty of rehabilitation medicine. While at Columbia, he served as a clinical mentor to two first-year medical students each year and coordinated research teaching for the Rehabilitation residents. He also participated in lecture series events for fellows in the areas of Cardiology and Pulmonary Medicine, sharing the rehabilitation perspective for each specialty.
Dr. Maya R Therattil
Assistant Professor at Drexel University College of Medicine, USA. Trained at Montefiore Medical Centre in PM&R, further specialized in Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury at Kessler Institute for Rehab and hold board certifications in these areas.
Biography:
Dr. Maya Therattil is a Medical Educator and Physiatrist at Penn Medicine, Princeton Medical Center, NJ and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center and St. Mary Rehabilitation Hospital. She has served as the Pathway Director for PM&R at Drexel University College of Medicine and is passionate about mentoring medical students and other medical professionals in the field of Rehabilitation Medicine. She received her medical degree from St. John’s Medical College and has been in practice for 25 years. She specializes in Neuro rehabilitation and Spinal Cord Injury Medicine.
Dr. Pooja Mukul
M.D. (Rehabilitation Medicine), Consultant & Physician on Locomotor Disability in the Developing World.
She has worked on the ‘Use of polymers and fiber composites in orthotic aids’, ‘Standardization of the Jaipur Foot ‘and’ Development of a polyurethane prosthetic foot’ with funding from the D.S.T., Government of India.
Biography:
Dr. Pooja Mukul is an Indian rehabilitation medicine physician and Director of the Jaipur Foot Organization, a major provider of artificial limbs for people with disabilities. She is known for designing affordable, user-centric prosthetics, leading humanitarian missions to provide limbs in conflict-affected regions, and focusing on the unique needs of amputees in developing countries. Dr. Mukul has an M.D. in Rehabilitation Medicine, allowing her to cater to a range of musculoskeletal, paralytic, and developmental pediatric disorders.
Dr. Steven Faux
MBBSBA, FRACGP, FAFRM (RACP), FFPMANZCA Specialties: Rehabilitation Medicine, Pain Medicine
Biography:
Professor Faux is the Director of the Department of Pain Medicine and the inaugural director of Rehabilitation Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital (2000-2022), Sydney and a conjoint academic at the University of New South Wales and the University of Notre Dame. Doctors refer patients to him with chronic pain, arthritis, stroke, MS, parkinson’s disease, long COVID, back and neck pain, joint replacements, fractures, difficulty walking, difficulty with self-care and incontinence. His research interests focus on the management of spasticity, trauma management, refugee health and stroke rehabilitation.
Professor Faux established the Rehabilitation Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in 2000. In 2008 he took on the leadership of the Department of Pain Medicine and in 2023 together with A/Prof Byrne, he established and co-leads one of the first multidisciplinary long COVID clinics in Australia. In 2024 he was awarded a membership of the order of Australia (AM) for his service to rehabilitation medicine and medical research.
Dr. Pradeep Thumbikat
MBBS, MS, MSc (Orth Eng), FRCS (Glasg)
Honorary Senior Lecturer, Sheffield University
Biography:
Dr. Pradeep is a Consultant Surgeon in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at STEPS Rehabilitation and the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre, which is based at the Northern General Hospital, a part of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust. His work encompasses all aspects of spinal cord injury management. Areas of special interest include surgical management of pressure ulcers and management of the tetraplegic upper limb.
He started his career in orthopaedic surgery but moved sideways into the management of spinal cord injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation in the early noughties. During his period of training as a registrar, he did a fellowship at the Vancouver General Hospital and a further short period at the Christian Medical college in India, to gain a wider perspective on the management of spinal cord injury around the world.
Dr. Subramanya Iyer
MS (Otorhinolaryngology), MCh (Plastic Surgery), FRCS Speciality: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Advanced Centre for Robotic Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Composite Tissue Allotransplantation.
Biography:
Dr. Subramania Iyer stands as a titan in the realm of surgical innovation and excellence. Having meticulously performed over 40,000+ major surgical procedures and more than 6,000+ free flap surgeries, his mastery in the field is undisputed. Dr. Iyer’s accolades include pioneering the first-hand transplants in the country and leading the centre with largest number of composite tissue allotransplants globally, a testament to his groundbreaking contributions. Dr. Iyer’s special interests lie in head and neck cancer surgery, secondary reconstruction, laryngeal reinnervation, and cutting-edge techniques like laser and robotic surgery, where he continues to push the boundaries of medical advancement. His contributions in field of medical training are pathbreaking with establishing the first three-year structured training programme in head and neck surgical oncology and India’s first and only masters training programme in deglutology and swallowing therapy.
Dr. Suma Badhal
MBBS, MD PMR (AIIMS), PGDGM.
Expert in Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, and Assistive technology for disabilities.
Biography:
Dr Suman Badhal has completed her MD in PMR at the age of 29 years from AIIMS New Delhi She is professor at, VMMC and Safdarjung hospital a tertiary care facility in New Delhi in India. She has published more than 26 papers in reputed journals and chapters in the books. She is editor and contributor for three books and has been serving as reviewer of reputed journals for rehabilitation medicine and Chairman of SIG of cardiac rehabilitation in IAPMR.
Dr. Venu Kochiyil
Consultant Rehabilitation and pain Physician, Adelaide, Australia.
Biography:
Dr. Kochiyil is a member of The Flinders Pain Group, which is the only multidisciplinary pain medicine group in private practice in South Australia. The Flinders Pain Group offers ‘biopsychosocial’ pain assessment, diagnosis and management for acute and chronic pain, for cancer patients and non-cancer patients. They welcome specific referrals for: facet joint denervation, epidural steroid block, spinal cord stimulators, intrathecal pump (including for spasticity,) chemical lumbar sympathectomy and other specific nerve blocks for chronic pain.
Mr. Pranav Vempati
Vempati has been featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, among other accolades. The company continues to innovate, with future plans including developing exoskeletons and devices for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Biography:
Pranav Vempati is a thought leader and global speaker known for his insightful contributions to the technology sector. As the Founder and CEO of Makers Hive, Pranav is dedicated to creating innovative technologies that are both advanced and accessible, with a strong commitment to driving positive social change. In 2018, Pranav founded Makers Hive with the mission to make cutting-edge technology accessible to everyone. The company’s first product, Kalarm, is India’s first and the world’s most affordable bionic hand. This groundbreaking innovation has significantly improved the lives of many by providing a functional, cost-effective solution for individuals with limb loss. Pranav and Makers Hive have received several prestigious accolades, including Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, Forbes Asia 100 to Watch, GQ India’s 7 Most Influential Young Indians, and he was shortlisted for One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Dr Swatee Jena MBBS FAFRM ( RACP)
Consultant Rehabilitation Medicine
Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia
Dr Swatee Jena is a senior Consultant with a specialized focus on Cancer Rehabilitation. She is the clinical lead in development of Cancer Rehabilitation pathways at Flinders Medical Centre.
Dr Jena serves as the co-chair of the Advocacy sub-committee for Cancer Rehabilitation Special Interest Group with the International Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine. She is involved with activities towards advancing awareness of Cancer Rehabilitation and its incorporation into comprehensive cancer care.
Dr Jena is actively involved with teaching and mentoring of Medical Students as a clinical lecturer and learning coach at Flinders University.
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