Prof Vanessa SteenkampCHAIRPERSONUniversity of PretoriaProfessor Vanessa Steenkamp is the Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria and a Full Professor of Pharmacology. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Education and Management Division of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. She is actively involved in collaborative research, postgraduate supervision, and mentorship. Special interests: All aspects of health professions education, with a particular emphasis on assessment, digital learning resources, and student success. Why they became involved in SAAHE: To stay abreast of current trends and developments in teaching and learning. Fun fact: A dedicated nature lover. Favourite quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Contact: vanessa.steenkamp@up.ac.za · LinkedIn · ORCID 0000-0003-3575-0410 |
Prof Werner CordierVICE-CHAIRPERSONUniversity of PretoriaProf Werner Cordier is a Full Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Pretoria. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, a PhD in Pharmacology, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instructional Design and Development (all from the University of Pretoria). He has completed both the Sub-Saharan Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute health professions education and leadership fellowship and the African Science Leadership Programme. A National Research Foundation Y2-rated researcher, he maintains two primary research focus areas: his pharmacological research investigates the factors underpinning dormancy, quiescence and chemoresistance within triple-negative breast carcinoma spheroid models to support more effective drug development pathways, while his health professions education research supports the development of the health and care workforce in relation to pharmacology — including core disciplinary competencies, patient education, pharmacotherapy misinformation, and artificial intelligence in instructional design, learning and health education. Prof Cordier has published more than 35 papers and has graduated a diverse range of students under his supervision and co-supervision (>40 Honours; >10 Master’s; >3 Doctoral). He is a Senior Fellow of the African Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AfriDSAI) and a Managing Committee member of the Centre for Tertiary Education Research in STEM (TER-STEM). He serves as editor for the African Journal of Health Professions Education and Scientific Reports, and sits on various Faculty and University committees, including the Research Ethics Committee and Senate. During 2025 he worked temporarily at the World Health Organization’s Headquarters as a Technical Officer in the Health Workforce Department, serving as the education focal point. Special interests: Curriculum and instructional design and development; artificial intelligence in education; competency development; gameful learning; and AI-related competencies and impact in health. Why they became involved in SAAHE: Prof Cordier is passionate about supporting the development of a future-fit, first-day-ready health and care workforce — whether professionals or scientists. He believes tangible change is achieved only when graduates can enter the workforce to address the challenges facing their communities, which in turn relies on advocating for health professions education as a scholarship that leads evidence-based teaching, learning and assessment. Fun fact: He adds one tattoo per year to mark major milestones, events and challenges; the current collection includes a fox, crow, ouroboros, and tatzelwurm. Favourite quote: “Adversity is what makes you mature… the growing soul is watered best by tears of sadness.” — Charles M. Schulz Contact: werner.cordier@up.ac.za · LinkedIn · ORCID 0000-0002-5744-9285 |
Dr Stuart PattinsonSECRETARY & TREASURERUniversity of the WitwatersrandDr Stuart Pattinson is a medical doctor with a passion for health professions education. He works as a lecturer in the Centre for Health Sciences Education (CHSE) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. He holds a Master’s in Health Sciences Education and is currently a PhD candidate at the Maastricht University School of Health Professions Education (SHE), where his research focuses on preparedness for practice and the transition from student to doctor. Special interests: Faculty development, curriculum design, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Why they became involved in SAAHE: SAAHE is an incredible community where innovative ideas are shared, peers are encouraged and HPE is celebrated — all to the benefit of South Africa’s future graduates and the patients they care for. Fun fact: He combines his love of travel with live sport, especially Formula 1. Favourite quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela Contact: stuart.pattinson@wits.ac.za · LinkedIn · ORCID 0000-0002-8386-6808 |
Dr Owen EalesMARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERUniversity of PretoriaDr Owen Eales is a Family Physician with a passion for clinical learning in primary care, focusing on medical officers and medical students. He is a PhD candidate developing a validated framework for a conducive clinical learning environment. He is always open to collaboration and enjoys teamwork. Special interests: Simulation and clinical learning. Why they became involved in SAAHE: He is part of SAAHE to learn and for the sense of community. Fun fact: He is a brand-new birdwatcher. Favourite quote: “Go big or go home!” Contact: owen.eales@up.ac.za · LinkedIn · ORCID 0000-0003-2835-8912 |
Dr Manoko MolabeSCIENTIFIC OFFICERUniversity of JohannesburgDr Portia Manoko Tebogo Molabe is an accomplished simulation education specialist with a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Johannesburg. She currently serves as Simulation Laboratory Manager and Programme Coordinator for the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Simulation within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg. She has extensive experience managing clinical simulation programmes, with a strong focus on curriculum integration, interprofessional education, and innovative teaching and learning approaches. Her work centres on advancing simulation-based education to enhance clinical competence, ethical practice, and professional identity formation among healthcare students. Her research addresses simulation-based learning, interprofessional education, and the use of technology to support ethical competence and student development. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her work at national and international conferences. Special interests: Health professions education, with a particular focus on simulation-based learning, interprofessional education, and the integration of innovative technologies — centred on developing ethically grounded, clinically competent professionals through experiential learning. Why they became involved in SAAHE: She is part of SAAHE because of her strong commitment to advancing excellence in health professions education and contributing meaningfully to innovative, evidence-based teaching practices. Her work in simulation-based education and interprofessional learning aligns closely with SAAHE’s mission to promote collaboration, scholarship, and continuous improvement. Fun fact: She turns daily life into teachable moments, often imagining how everyday situations could become simulation scenarios. Favourite quote: “Give her water too, and watch her grow into everything she was meant to be.” Contact: manokol@uj.ac.za · LinkedIn · ORCID 0000-0003-1267-921X |
Mrs Mpho MoruleSTUDENT / Early Career researcher representativeSefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityMrs Mpho Morule is a qualified oral hygienist from MEDUNSA since 2002. She furthered her studies with an Advanced Diploma in Community Dentistry from the University of Limpopo (MEDUNSA Campus), a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, and a Bachelor of Education Honours majoring in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy Studies from the University of Pretoria. She obtained her Master of Health Professions Education from the University of the Free State and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Mpho has over 10 years of experience in the public health sector, working in both district hospitals and clinics across the North West and Gauteng provinces. She began her academic career in 2010 at the University of Pretoria, School of Dentistry, and has since developed a strong passion for teaching and learning. She is currently a full-time lecturer at the School of Dentistry, department of Dental therapy and Oral hygiene at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, where she serves as Course Coordinator for first-year oral hygiene and dental therapy students, student support guardian, and research coordinator in her department. She actively encourages and supports her team to improve research output, and serves on several committees within the School of Dentistry. Beyond her professional commitments, Mpho enjoys traveling, reading, and family gatherings, and is actively involved in her church and community. Special interests: Curriculum design; educational pedagogies (community-based learning, interprofessional education, service learning); student experience and support services; and teaching and learning styles; Preventative programmes initiatives spanning oral health care for mother-and-child, patients with special health needs, and head-and-neck cancer patients. Why they became involved in SAAHE: As an emerging health professions educator, she is committed to maintaining, improving and broadening her knowledge, skills and abilities. She embraces mentorship opportunities and seeks out HPE and research collaboration networks, aiming to remain professional, relevant and up to date in the field. Fun fact: She loves quiet social gatherings with friends and travels at every opportunity. Favourite quote “Learn, Teach, Grow and Inspire.” Contact: mpho.morule@smu.ac.za · LinkedIn · ORCID 0000-0001-7729-384X |