Workshop Speakers
Dr Byron Curtis Bowles
Dr Byron Curtis Bowles is a South African neurologist with expertise in general neurology, stroke, and cognitive disorders. He graduated cum laude from the University of Pretoria. He completed specialist training in neurology through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, earning the Novartis Medal in FCNeurol (SA). His training included major tertiary hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Bowles holds an MMed in Neurology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with research on myasthenia gravis, and has presented at national congresses. He is currently practicing as a neurologist at Life Wilgers Hospital, where he is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-cantered care.
Dr Naeem Brey
Dr. Naeem Brey is a neurologist and executive member of the South African Stroke Society who helped establish the Tygerberg Hospital stroke unit and serves as the National Coordinator for Angels South Africa. He also works closely with the African Stroke Organisation. Currently based at Mediclinic Constantiaberg, he remains deeply committed to academic research and clinical teaching to advance the field of neurology. A proponent of digital health, he actively integrates emerging technologies to optimize clinical systems and improve patient outcomes in stroke management.
Dr Patty Francis
Dr Patty Francis is the current President of the Neurology Association Of South Africa; and recently appointed President of Stroke Society of South Africa. She is also a member of WSO and on the Education Committee and Newsletter Committee of ASO. She has worked as a Neurology Consultant at Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals; and is currently a General Neurologist in private practice at Netcare Umhlanga Hospital in Durban, South Africa. Dr Francis started the Acute Stroke Service at NUH, and was a founding member of myStrokeSA which then grew into the global Angels Network. She has won many prizes during her Neurology career, including the Novartis Registrar Award, Sigo Nielsen prize and Angels Spirit of Excellence Award.
Dr Louis Kroon
Dr Louis Kroon is a vascular neurologist at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in South Africa and a lecturer at the University of Pretoria. He also serves as the National Stroke Coordinator for South Africa and is currently completing his Master’s degree and fellowship training in stroke medicine at the University of Bern, Switzerland. In addition, he is a finalist for the World Stroke Leader Cohort.
Dr Kate McMullen
MBChB (UCT), FCNeurol (SA), MMed (UCT), MSc (UCT), CSCN (EMG), Neuromuscular Fellowship (University of Toronto), Dip HIVMan (SA)
Dr Kate McMullen is a neurologist currently working at Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town. She completed her MBChB at the University of Cape Town and returned to Groote Schuur Hospital to specialise in Neurology. She recently completed a neuromuscular fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada, and returned to South Africa in 2025, where she enjoys seeing both general and neuromuscular patients, and teaching registrars in the EMG laboratory at Groote Schuur Hospital on a monthly basis.
Dr Sharania Moodley
Dr Sharania Moodley is a neurologist at Grey’s Hospital in South Africa and an honorary lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She has a special interest in vascular neurology and was the lead and stroke champion in getting Grey’s hospital stroke ready. She had led Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg to become the third government hospital in South Africa and first government hospital in KZN to be awarded by the WSO and Angels Initiative.
Dr Seth Muller
Dr Seth J. Muller is a South African paediatrician with a special interest in the multidisciplinary management of children with spasticity and complex neuro-disability. He practices in East London, where he leads a coordinated team of allied healthcare professionals and provides comprehensive, function-focused care, including ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections. He completed his paediatric training at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and holds an FCPaeds (SA) and MMed in Paediatrics, along with a Diploma in Allergology. Dr Muller has experience across intensive care, neonatology, and endocrinology, contributing to a well-rounded clinical approach. In addition to his clinical work, he is actively involved in academia and professional leadership. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, presents regularly at conferences, and serves as a board member of the Paediatric Management Group. He is also the lead author of a forthcoming coding manual for paediatric practice and contributes to national healthcare policy through advisory roles.
Ms Agnieszka Tymecka-Woszczerowicz
Is the current Angels Team Leader for South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Agnieszka obtained her Master’s Degree in Pharmacy at the Medical University in Gdansk, Poland. Agnieszka’s interest in Health Economics pushed her to further pursue doctorate studies at Medical University in Warsaw’s Pharmacoeconomics Department; focusing on quality of life improvements, cost-of-illness studies and methodologies of indirect costs assessment. Committed to helping patients who are in need, Agnieszka has worked for 6 years as a clinical research coordinator in a highly specialized team, performing a variety of trials within Neurology and Rehabilitation therapeutic areas.
Ms Renathe van der Merwe
Renathe van der Merwe is the Country Coordinator for the Fast Heroes Stroke Awareness Program in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. She oversees regional implementation of this award winning, child centered initiative, working with healthcare professionals, educators, and partners to increase early stroke recognition and rapid response within communities. Renathe brings extensive experience in stroke care and advocacy, having previously served as an Angels Consultant from 2016 to 2022, where she supported hospitals and multidisciplinary teams to improve stroke treatment pathways and quality of care. Her background and regional expertise position her as a strong advocate for sustainable stroke awareness and education across Southern Africa.