Surgery for People Living with Spinal Cord Injury 24-25 June 2024
Speaker Biographies
James KK Chan MA, DPhil, FRCS(Plast)
I am a plastic surgeon at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. I work closely with the rehabilitation team at the National Spinal Injuries Centre on the reconstruction of pressure ulcers and the upper limb in tetraplegia.
Ian Benson is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, UK where he is clinical lead for the acute and respiratory physiotherapy team and non-medical lead for the SCI respiratory service. Ian has over 15 years of experience managing both the respiratory and rehabilitation needs across the entire patient pathway. He is also Chair of the UK and Ireland SCI respiratory special interest group RISCI.
Ian’s main interests are the prevention of respiratory complications, complex weaning from mechanical ventilation, and preparation for lifelong management. He has a back catalogue of research, audit and service development related to both respiratory management and rehabilitation.
Mr Wail Ahmed has been a Consultant in Spinal Cord Injuries in the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville Hospital, since early 2017.
His main interests are management of neurogenic bladder including neuro-urodynamic studies and flexible cystoscopy with bladder botulinum toxin injections. In addition, he has a special interest in management of pressure ulcers with excisional debridement and direct closure with bone biopsies.
Dr Shaw MRCPCH FRCP Edin FEBPRM is the Clinical Director of the National Spinal Injuries Centre overseeing both the adult and children services. He is specialist rehabilitation physician who has an interest in both adult and paediatric rehabilitation including both neurodisability, spinal injuries, amputees and prosthetics.
Since 2011, Mr Belci has been a consultant in Spinal Cord Injuries at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, the UK’s founder spinal unit. More recently he joined our team on Neurorehabilitation consultants at the Wellington Hospital In London. During his career he has held medical appointments in Italy, Poland Croatia and all over the UK including major hospitals including the Addenbrookes in Cambridge and John Radcliffe in Oxford. He takes special clinical and research interest in neuromodulation, functional electrical stimulation, intrathecal therapies, respiratory function restauration and ventilation, prevention and treatment of chronic neuropathic pain, catheter related UTI’, pressure ulcers, bladder, and bowel incontinence. He is a member of the National Scientific Committee of INSPIRE, specialist charity which raises funds to address independence and quality of life after spinal cord injury (SCI).
Dr Martin Donhauser
• Orthopaedic surgeon and specialist trauma surgeon,
• Since 2010 at the Spinal Cord Injury Centre, BG Trauma Centre Murnau, Murnau, Germany
• More than 10 years’ experience in the treatment of pressure injuries and flap surgery
• Member of ISCOS and DMGP
• Member of ISCOS Prevention committee
• Chair of ISCOS pressure injury subcommittee
• Head of guideline group of DMGP for prevention and treatment of pressure injuries
Firas Sarhan is the National Spinal Injuries Centre Clinical Education Lead- responsible for the coordination and implementation of education which encompasses the planning, monitoring and evaluation of education delivery to all professional at the NSIC and the referring hospital. the main interest is Development of educational framework that is applicable to all Multi-professional Team to advance skills and knowledge in managing Spinal cord injury. Interested in the development of educational Apps that could be used by patients and professionals – has special interest in the development and the implementation of Telehealth in healthcare mainly in long term conditions. Has several publications in the field of spinal cord injury management and telehealth care.
Joanna Armstrong
Physiotherapist based at NSIC in spinal out-patients, with clinical experience in in-patient rehabilitation and out-reach.
Member of ISCoS external relation committee and emergencies sub committee.
Bsc Hons, Msc, HCPC registered
Dr Jane Duff has worked in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation for over 27 years providing direct therapy, research, teaching/training and consultancy. She became a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in 2008 and Head of the National Spinal Injuries Centre Psychology Team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 2017. As a clinician researcher, Jane works to improve psychosocial outcome and self-management, impacting lifelong quality of life and health for people with SCI. Jane is currently involved in national and international research and regularly supervises post graduate research. Jane serves on national and international committees and leads on policy development in psychological/psychosocial care. (15) Feed | LinkedIn
Ines Bersch, a Physiotherapist since 1989, ascended to substitute chief of physiotherapy at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil, from 1991. Pioneering functional electrical stimulation in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, she instructs at Universities of Applied Science since 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Education Science (2008), Master of Science in Neurorehabilitation Research (2012) at Danube University of Krems, and PhD (2019), investigating "Upper and Lower Motoneuron Lesions in Tetraplegia" at the University of Gothenburg. Leading therapy instruction (2014–2017), she established the International FES Centre® in 2018, focusing on translating research findings into spinal cord injury rehabilitation, particularly in hand function, bowel management, and pressure injury prevention.
Dr Ulf Bersch
1976-1980 Specialist training at Giessen University Hospital, Department of Urology
1980-1991 Senior physician, Department of Neurourology, Werner Wicker Clinic Bad Wildungen, Germany
1991-2012 Chief Physician Department of Neurourology, Swiss Paraplegic Center Nottwil
2004-2010 Lecturer at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
2008-2013 Consultant physician at REHAB Basel
Sally Reffold has worked at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) since 2006 and has been the lead physiotherapist of the outpatient department at the NSIC since 2009. She is responsible for the assessment, treatment, and management of both acute onset and lifelong management of persons with spinal cord and cauda equina syndrome injuries. One of her areas of clinical interest is pelvic floor rehabilitation, she is part of the prenatal and parenting service and is currently establishing a designated service at the NSIC. She has completed a master module exploring pelvic floor exercises and UTIs. She is a member of the board of trustees of the Pelvic Obstetric Gynaecologic Physiotherapy (POGP), specialist interest group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and is on their social media subcommittee with the role of website officer.
Jeremy Rodrigues - I am an Associate Professor and consultant plastic surgeon. My research focuses on improving how we measure outcomes in healthcare. Often this involves measuring "latent constructs" that we cannot observe in the physical world, such as hand function, quality of life, and knee function. Using appropriate methods these things can still be measured robustly and accurately.
Katie Eyre - I started as a new doctor at Stoke Mandeville 15 years ago; my first encounter with spinal cord injured patients. After completing urology training in Thames Valley, I undertook a fellowship in female, neuro and reconstructive urology with Melissa Davies at Salisbury spinal injuries unit. In March 2024 I came back to BHT, this time as a consultant urological surgeon; full circle! My main interests are optimising the neuropathic bladder, incontinence surgery, paediatric urology and transition of adolescents to adult urology services. I have 3 children from whom I am always learning, and I love to run, cycle and ski.
Mr Surendra Bandi is working as a Consultant in Spinal injuries and Rehabilitation at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury, UK. He is also the present President of British Association of Spinal Cord Injury Specialists (BASCIS). He completed postgraduate training in Orthopaedics, fellowship in spinal surgery, specialist registrar training in spinal injuries and rehabilitation. He is a Fellow of the European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. He has a special interest in musculoskeletal disorders, pain, spasticity, Intrathecal drug delivery systems, ultrasound-guided procedures, teaching and research. He published papers in peer-reviewed journals, and authored and co-authored chapters. He is a member of visiting teaching faculty for the University of Health Sciences, India.
Ruth Peachment - Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist, National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust
Ruth’s current role at the NSIC involves development of services within the Spinal Centre, introducing new innovations, identifying areas of clinical research and working on specialist clinical projects such as upper limb management in spinal cord injury and lymphoedema management.
Ruth has a Masters Degree in Design Research for Disability, and has also worked for a design charity, specialising in design and manufacture of bespoke items for children with disabilities. – She also completed the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme at Henley Business School.
She was the Medical Advisor on a Metro Goldwyn Meyer/Warner Brothers film titled ‘Me Before You’ which is an adaptation of the book by Jojo Moyes, about a young man with tetraplegia. – This was released in 2016.
Hazel Landymore - I am an occupational therapist and have worked with people with spinal injuries for 23 years. I have experience in both inpatient acute rehabilitation and spinal outpatients. I currently work in spinal outpatients, and we specialise in supporting those with spinal cord injury for life long follow up. In the last couple of years I have been involved with the spinal upper limb surgery clinic, helping to develop the service. I have been looking at ways to improve the patient pathway particularly assessment and the rehabilitation process.
Prof Brian Andrews was trained (1968 - 72) in Cybernetics, Mathematics, Control Systems and Bioengineering at the Universities of Reading, Sheffield and Strathclyde. He has held academic and clinical positions in the UK, USA and in Canada where he was awarded “Heritage Scientist” by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. He has a long standing interest in human movement, beginning with his PhD at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, that led to the development of the widely used Vicon motion capture system, including in many films such as the Titanic and “Happy Feet”. Subsequent contributions include the development of “hybrid orthoses” that combine orthotics and robotics with FES and real-time machine learning to restore ambulation after spinal cord injury. He is presently involved in the development of FES technology to restore bladder function and to provide high intensity physical exercise after spinal cord injury. He is presently Visiting Professor in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences at Oxford University and Biomedical Engineering at Warwick University where he supervises 6 PhD students.
Sarah Dowie is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience. She has spent the majority of her career working at NSIC Stoke Mandeville with SCI patients covering all aspects of spinal rehab. She has also worked in the United States and at RNOH Stanmore. She has an MSc in Neurorehab. Sarah is passionate about the holistic nature of SCI care and enjoys liaising closely with her hand surgery colleagues in providing post-op therapy for tetraplegics after upper limb surgery. She is currently on secondment to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust as part of the London SCI network aiming to improve services for SCI patients across the system.
Samira Saadoun is Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at St. George’s, University of London. Her research interests are spinal cord injury, aquaporin water channels, brain, and spinal cord oedema, and neuromyelitis optica. Dr. Saadoun and Prof. Papadopoulos set up the ISCoPE trial to develop monitoring from the injury site to guide the management of patients with spinal cord injuries in the intensive care unit. They are co-chief investigators in DISCUS, which is an international randomised controlled trial investigating whether duroplasty improves outcomes in patients with acute severe cervical spinal cord injuries.
Marios Papadopoulos is Professor of Neurosurgery at St. George’s Hospital in London. His clinical interests are spinal neurosurgery and vascular neurosurgery. Dr. Saadoun and Prof. Papadopoulos set up the ISCoPE trial to develop monitoring from the injury site to guide the management of patients with spinal cord injuries in the intensive care unit. They are co-chief investigators in DISCUS, which is an international randomised controlled trial investigating whether duroplasty improves outcomes in patients with acute severe cervical spinal cord injuries.
Ankit Mishra is a registrar in plastic surgery, rotating through the prestigious Oxford Deanery. Currently working in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, home of the National Spinal Injuries Centre, his interest on lower limb and hand reconstruction has led to a focus on the management of pressure ulcers and the tetraplegic hand.
Helen Thrussell graduated from the University of Southampton in 2001 with a BSc (HONS) in Occupational Therapy. In 2004 she joined the National Spinal Injuries Centre and since this time, she has worked with both adult and paediatric in-patients and within the spinal out-patient service. She is currently Head Occupational Therapist and female sexuality lead for the centre.
Helen has a MSc in Advancing Spinal Cord Rehabilitation and Management and a Professional Certificate in Psychosexual Therapy. She has published qualitative research, exploring women’s experiences of sexuality after spinal cord injury.
Helen’s clinical interests also include pain management, spasticity management and upper limb management and rehabilitation.
Luis Lee - I am an enthusiastic and motivated consultant anaesthetist with a varied interest, including paediatric anaesthesia, bariatric anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia and anaesthesia for patients with chronic spinal injuries, and flap reconstruction. I am also a keen educator. Having been the anaesthetic college tutor in Bucks, I am now the Training Programme Director for Core Anaesthetics in Thames Valley, and I am also an examiner for the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Whatever spare time I have is now taken up by my new hobby of data science in computer programming, with a view to utilise AI in NHS workforce planning.
Professor Jan Fridén MD, PhD, has dedicated his entire career to improving the upper limb function in individuals with tetraplegia. He has a Ph.D. in muscle Anatomy and Physiology and nearly 40 years of research on muscle mechanics and function with a focus on experimental and clinical studies of reconstructive tendon transfer surgery in patients with cervical spinal cord injury. He described the architecture of the most suitable donor muscles in many procedures and developed new strategies to reconstruct motor function in tetraplegia. Professor Fridén has been awarded several prestigious prizes e.g., The Ludwig Guttman Prize (2016) and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Kappa Delta award twice (1994 and 2013).
Sarah Armanios is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in the rehabilitation of the arm and hand, with a particular focus on hand therapy, burns, tendon and nerve transfer surgeries and spasticity management. She completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University in 2005.
Throughout her career, Sarah has trained and worked in numerous prestigious hospitals both nationally and internationally, including The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospitals in Brisbane and Melbourne, and Bayside Children’s Hospital in New York.
She has held a public appointment as an Occupational Therapist in the Department of Hand Therapy and the Victorian Spinal Cord Service’s Upper Limb Program. Here, she focused primarily on the rehabilitation of the arm and hand following tendon and nerve transfers in individuals with tetraplegia. In addition to her public service, Sarah successfully ran her own private practice, providing specialised care to her patients.
Currently, Sarah has relocated to the UK, where she holds an honorary role with Stoke Mandeville, continuing her dedication to improving patient outcomes in the field of hand and upper limb therapy.
Mr Arnold Goede is a Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal and General Surgeon based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury. For the most part he works alongside his colorectal team to deliver services to the people of Buckinghamshire, with elective cancer and inflammatory bowel disease surgery, as well as colorectal pelvic floor surgery being performed at Wycombe Hospital. However, from taking up this post, Mr Goede has been involved in providing care for the SCI patients, for all their general surgery and colorectal surgery needs. Over this period of time, and with his interest in pelvic floor surgery and functional bowel disorders, he has become more specialist in understanding the needs of patients living with spinal cord injury. The NSIC is one of very few spinal units that have a specialist GI surgical team. He has presented regionally and nationally on the role of the surgeon in management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in SCI.
Dr Samford Wong MSc (Medi Sci)., PhD., NMP (SP)., RD is currently a Lead Dietitian in the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Consultant Dietitian in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital. He holds a PhD in Nutrition Management after SCI. His responsibilities included a major and continuing clinical role in nutrition and dietetic service in people with SCI as well as a major commitment to research and both under-and post-graduate dietetic and SCI education. Over the years, he led the validation and implementation of the Spinal Nutrition Screening Tool (SNST), a disease specific nutrition screening tool, in SCI centres. He established new service such as dietetic-led weight management service. Samford currently chaired the Nutrition Specialist Interest Group at the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) and is Committee Member for ISCoS Scientific and Research Committee.
Samford was principal / chief investigator on 7 research projects in the last 15 years. He helps to raised approximately £450,000 of research grants. He published 27 articles in peer-reviewed journals and act as a referee to a number of scientific journals in his field of research.
Dr. Alex Rouse is a Consultant Physician at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, specialising in Spinal Injury and Paediatric Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Medicine. He holds qualifications including an Honours BSc in Medical Sciences with Management, MB BS, MRCP London, and a Diploma in Child Health from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Dr. Rouse has expertise in ventilation, acute care, perioperative medicine, and paediatric rehabilitation. He has made contributions to the field through his clinical practice, research, and teaching, with notable publications on topics such as war-related spinal cord injuries and clinical early warning scores for spinal cord injury populations.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Rouse is deeply involved in healthcare management and service planning, contributing to several NICE guidelines, ISCOS committees and leading the London Paediatric SCI Network.