CariWN inaugural Symposium Saturday, June 29, 2024
Our Speakers

Hon. Davidson I. Ishamel
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness
Davidson Ishmael is a Barbadian politician. He is a member of parliament in the House of Assembly of Barbados. He was first elected member of parliament in January 2018. He also serves as the Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology in the cabinet of Mia Mottley.
Hon. Davidson I. Ishamel is a transformational leader who seeks simply to serve others. He is a trainer, speaker, and writer who inspires others to search out and reach their fullest potential. His experience covers the areas of: Leadership, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Training, Team Building, Effective Communication, Strategic Planning, Project Management, Financial Services, Micro-Financing, Loans & Credit Assessment, Risk Management, Customer Service, Management & General Management.

Mariam Botros, DCh, DE, IIWCC, MEd
Chief Executive Officer, Wounds Canada, Chiropodist and Diabetes Educator
As Chief Executive Officer of Wounds Canada, Mariam is responsible for both the implementation of the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the organization. She is a chiropodist and diabetes educator by training and completed her Master’s in Educational Leadership. Mariam has also published, developed and lectured in multiple programs both nationally and internationally. She is also the vice president of D foot International. Through her different roles as an executive director, health-care practitioner and educator, researcher and faculty member for many well-recognized organizations, Mariam has extensive practical and professional experience in advancing public health policy and is respected as a strategic, visionary, system thinker.

Dr. Yuri Casseres
GENERAL SURGEON
Dr. Yuri Casseres was born in Aruba and studied medicine in Leiden. He trained as a general surgeon in the Rotterdam region (St. Franciscus Gasthuis and Erasmus MC). After his training, he worked as a senior registrar at St. Franciscus Gasthuis and St. Anna Hospital. In 2013, he had a unique opportunity to continue his career in Aruba.
Since November 2013, he has been working as a general surgeon at the Horacio Oduber Hospital in Aruba. There, along with five other surgeons, he is responsible for surgical care on the island.
In addition to his work as a surgeon, he also serves as the specialist manager of the Surgical cluster and is the medical coordinator of the Center for Advanced Wound Care. He was closely involved in establishing the diabetic foot clinic at Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital and is a member of the amputation committee.
The combination of his work as a general surgeon and his dedication to treating complex wounds gives him an extra sense of satisfaction in his daily work.

Dr. Emerson Budhoo, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Emerson Budhoo who is our chief surgeon at The Caribbean Foot and Ankle Institute that was founded by him. Dr. Budhoo is a specialist in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. He graduated in 2006 from Medical School and went on to further his career by becoming a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. During his training he was successful in a myriad of courses while simultaneously presenting at several international conferences. He successfully completed his post graduate program as a Doctor of Orthopaedic Medicine at the University of the West Indies and went on to successfully complete the orthopedic exam in the United Kingdom making him a Fellow of the Royal College of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the UK. He also undertook a Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery at Northern General Hospital in England. He specializes in many conditions related to the foot and ankle such as Diabetic feet complications, ankle arthroscopy for sporting injuries of the foot and ankle, bunions, neuromuscular problems leading to a high arch foot and many more. He is also currently an examiner for final year medical students and an international lecturer for the Trauma and Orthopedic courses.

Dr. Dave Harnanan, MD
University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences
Dr. Dave Harnanan is presently working as Senior Investigator in the Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies (UWI), Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Champ Fleur, Trinidad and Tobago and serving as an Editorial board member of several journals and has authored and co-authored many research and reviews articles in high impact international journals.

Dr. Nina Yhap, MD
Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon at the Queen's Elizabeth Hospital
Nina Yhap was born in Barbados, graduated from the University of The West Indies and completed all of her postgraduate surgical training throughout the Caribbean. After graduating as a general surgeon four years ago, Nina says, “it was future planning and development by the Barbados government that inspired them to invest in training me as a vascular and endovascular surgeon.”
Nina had been at Northern Health for the last two years receiving post-fellowship training to be a vascular and endovascular surgeon – the first of her kind when she returns to Barbados.

Veronica Webster, RN, MSc, WCC
Registered Nurse and Wound Care Specialist
Veronica Webster first graduated as a registered nurse (RN) in 2004 and began a career in general nursing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – Barbados in 2005. After developing a keen interest in the specialty of wound care she attended Cardiff University between 2011-2015 where attained a masters degree in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair. Veronica later gained certification as being wound care certified (WCC) through the alliance of wound care and ostomy in the United States in 2022. V. Webster has been fully immersed in wound care provision since 2015 at the QEH. She also actively participates in teaching programs on wound care for nurses and other clinicians in both private and public settings. Her preferred area within the speciality is lower leg wound’s irrespective of etiology.

Dr. Javier Morales MD, FACP, FACE
Vice President at Advanced Internal Medicine Group, P.C.
Javier Morales, MD, FACP, FACE, is vice president and principal clinical trials investigator at Advanced Internal Medicine Group in East Hills, New York. He is also an associate clinical professor of medicine for the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hofstra University, in Hempstead, New York. He earned his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Morales completed a residency in internal medicine at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York, and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, where he was chief medical resident from 1998 to 1999. He is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Morales is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and American College of Endocrinology and a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Hispanic Medical Association, and the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Morales currently serves as a member of the Diabetes Oversight Committee and the Obesity Medicine Subcommittee for the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. He is involved in the training of medical students, medical residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Dr. Morales is active in clinical research, having served as an investigator on several key clinical trials, has published numerous articles in major peer-reviewed journals, and is a frequent lecturer at many national and international continuing medical education forums. He is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Cardiology & Current Research.

Nyron Khan, BSc Honors, Micr. Major
Chief Executive Officer, Six Therapeutics Inc.
Nyron Khan brings 30 years of commercial and general management leadership in the biotech industry. He has worked across multiple geographies and therapeutic categories while developing specific expertise in wound healing, autoimmune and rare diseases. He has led multiple billion-dollar pharmaceutical product launches and team buildouts as a commercial leader.
Nyron has also amassed significant experience across the enterprise having led cross-functional teams in solving problems of major corporate scope and
magnitude including in manufacturing, clinical operations, drug safety, and market access. He is a passionate talent developer who takes particular pride in nurturing future generations of leaders.
Nyron is the co-founder and CEO of Six Therapeutics Inc. Six Therapeutics is an early-stage biotechnology company developing a targeted DNA therapeutic with broad application potential in wound healing, skin
cancer, and infectious diseases. In this role, Nyron is focused on building value for the company and leading the execution of the company’s mission. Six Therapeutics has developed several proprietary product candidates and is currently generating animal data to confirm safety and efficacy in wound healing applications.
Nyron also serves as an advisor to several other companies in the wound healing space and beyond. In his advisory role, Nyron has helped companies successfully negotiate licensing agreements from major U.S. academic institutions including the NIH and Harvard University. He has also assisted companies with their corporate strategy and execution plans including creating detailed, robust clinical development and commercial launch plans. He also plays a key role advising on investor strategy and capital fundraising.
Nyron is proud to be a part of the biotech industry and believes in the power of science to help find transformative therapies to the major conditions affecting humans. In his career, he has been fortunate to bring to market such transformative products including Rituxan® for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Roche, and Strensiq® for treatment of Hypophosphatasia at Alexion. He also led the growth of CellCept®, a key drug used in standard immunosuppression for the prevention of rejection in solid organ transplants.
Prior to forming Six Therapeutics, Nyron held the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Glasshouse Pharmaceuticals, where he was tasked with building the commercial infrastructure and setting the stage for the company’s launch of their flagship dermatology product.
Nyron holds dual citizenship for Canada and the United States. He earned a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Toronto and currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and son.

Dr. Omar L. Esponda MD, RPVI, RPhS
- Phlebology Fellowship at New York University Langone Medical Center and Vascular Medicine Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
- Certification by the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine and holding credentials as a Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) and Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI).
- Society for Vascular Medicine Venous Taskforce & The American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine ABVLM Board of Directors
- Participation in clinical research, academic positions, and numerous publications in the field of vascular diseases and treatment methods.

Dr. Kumar Sukhraj, BSc., MBBS, IIWCC-CAN, MSc-Diabetes
Head of the Diabetic Foot and Wound Care Initiative in Guyana
- Head of Department: Diabetic Foot Centre (GPHC)
- Part Time Lecturer: I.D.C.E University of Guyana, Texilia American Medical University, Greenheart Medical University: 2011-2018
- Dialectologist and Wound/diabetic foot Care Doctor: Georgetown Public Hospital (10 years), Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital (10 years), Woodlands Hospital (5 years), and Advance Health Care International (1 year)
ACADEMIC HONORS AND AWARDS
- Harry Persaud Memorial Award for the best graduating student with the highest grade in the Taxonomy course in the Bachelor of Science Programme, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, 2006.
- Best Presenter Award for intern’s research – Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, 2012.

Dr. Jefferson Garraway, MD, DM Internal Medicine & MSc- Rheumatology
Dr. Jefferson Garraway is a distinguished physician with over a decade of
experience in serving his patients. In addition to his formal education, he has
undertaken several specialized courses in Diabetes, further enhancing his ability to provide comprehensive care to his patients.
As the lead physician in the diabetic foot project in Antigua and Barbuda, Dr.
Garraway has made significant contributions to improving the lives of those affected by this common and debilitating complication of diabetes. His leadership and dedication to this project demonstrate his deep commitment to addressing the complex needs of diabetic patients and preventing severe outcomes through proactive and innovative care.
Dr. Garraway’s passion for wound care is a distinguishing feature of his medical practice. His approach is holistic, considering not only the immediate medical needs but also the long-term well-being of his patients.
Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his compassionate approach and dedication to patient care. He is known for his ability to build strong, trusting relationships with his patients, making them feel understood and supported in their healthcare journeys. His commitment to continuous learning and applying the latest medical advancements ensures that his patients benefit from cutting-edge treatments and care strategies.
Dr. Jefferson Garraway’s blend of expertise, passion, and compassionate care
makes him a highly valued physician. His ongoing contributions in the area of
diabetic care and wound management have left a lasting impact on the community he serves.

Dr. Matthew Regulski, DPM, FFPM RCPS (Glasgow), DABMSP
Dr. Matthew Regulski has been in practice for 20 years. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland. Dr. Regulski is double board-certified in diabetic wound healing and limb salvage by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. He has been the principal investigator in over 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on diabetes and wound healing. Dr. Regulski has authored over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals and treats thousands of wound patients each year. He is the Medical Director of the Wound Institute of Ocean County, New Jersey, and a partner at Ocean County Foot and Ankle Surgical Associates in Toms River, New Jersey.

Dr. Shiva Dindyal, BSc, MBBS, MRCS, MRCS, FRCS, MD
Consultant Vascular and Endovascular surgeon
Dr. Shiva Dindyal a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular surgeon at Basildon University Hospital Vascular Hub for the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
He was born and raised in London and medically trained at the internationally renowned Imperial College School of Medicine London between 1997 and 2003 where he gained a Physiology BSc degree in 2000, before completing his Medical and Surgical degrees. He completed his Higher Surgical Training in the London Deanery – North East & Central Thames Specialist Registrar General Surgery rotation between 2010 and 2016 and a fellowship at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. He then gained the Intercollegiate Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in General Surgery with a sub-specialist interest in Vascular Surgery in 2015.
He completed his final years of training as a Senior Specialist Vascular Registrar in the world-famous St Mary’s Hospital Vascular Unit, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. He acted up at consultant level before and after gaining his Completion of Specialist Training Certification in this unit and was subsequently appointed as a Substantive Consultant Vascular and Endovascular surgeon in Basildon, Essex in 2016.

Dr. Verne Alleyne
Pedorthist and American Board Certified Wound Specialist
Dr. Verne Alleyne has been a Physiotherapist for 30 years. In 1994, she received a Diploma in Physical Therapy from the University Hospital of The West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. In 2000, she earned a Master of Health Science Degree from the University of Indianapolis.
In 2003, She received a Certificate in Health Care Management from Indiana University, and in 2007 she received a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Indianapolis. She completed her Doctoral Practicum in Foot and Ankle Orthopedics under the tutelage of Dr. Dominique Nickson.
She was a former Director of Physical therapy at Huron Medical Centre in Michigan and Decatur County Memorial Hospital in Indiana.
Before returning to Tobago in 2008, Dr. Alleyne Worked at the Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis where she was part of an outpatient team that provided care for patients with chronic wounds and care for patients in the Wishard Burn unit, the then largest burn unit in the tristate area. She was also the lead therapist In the Orthopedic Clinic and the Sports Medicine Clinic attached to the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Verne Alleyne is now the Managing Director of Excel Physiotherapy and Excel Medical Supplies, where she provides treatment for all types of patients, including athletes at all levels.
Dr. Alleyne Started the Wound Care Department in 2011 at the Scarborough Health Center where she continues to work on a part time basis.
Dr. Alleyne holds certification In Spinal Manipulation, Dry Needling, Pedorthics and is an American Board-Certified Wound Specialist.
Dr. Alleyne Volunteers with the National Association of Athletics Administration and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee as part of their medical team. She has attended multiple regional and world championships sporting events, including the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and Gold Coast, Australia; the Track and Field world championships in Beijing, China, and Moscow, Russia. She was also a part of the medical team for multiple Central American and Caribbean Games and Pan American Games.
Over the past fifteen years, Dr. Alleyne has conducted numerous training sessions and workshops on the management of chronic ulcers, including Diabetic foot Ulcers.
In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting and gardening.

Dr. Joylette Woodley-Fassale, MD
Dr. Woodley–Fassale (fay-sal) graduated from Calixto Garcia University Hospital, Havana Cuba 2012 and is the first Female General Surgeon to have returned and worked in the twin island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis from 2014. Prior to the aforementioned, she worked at the Victoria Hospital, Castries St. Lucia, and St. Helen Medical University Vieux Fort St Lucia for approximately two (2) years (2012-2014). Her medical journey commenced in 1998 when she embarked on and successfully completed her MD (2005) with honors at the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences “Carlos J. Finlay”, Camaguey, Cuba. Dr. Woodley returned to the Federation of that same year (2005) and passionately served her country’s men and women for two (2) years.
Dr. Woodley-Fassale is the co-designer designer of the St. Kitts Nevis National Wear for both males and females. This outfit has made quite a profound statement wherever it is worn. She is also credited with opening the first Foot Clinic where specialized and cutting-edge therapy for wounds for diabetics and patients with poor circulation are done. This has improved significantly the foot care knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients with diabetic feet.
Dr Woodley wears several hats:
➢ President of the St Kitts Nevis Medical and Dental Association;
➢ Chief Surgeon at the J N France Hospital
➢ CEO Oasis Medical Consultants and Foot Clean-ic South Independence Square Basseterre, St. Kitts
➢ Talk Show Host for Health Wise
➢ Member of the St. Kitts Nevis Medical Board
➢ Head of the Emergency Medical Services at the JN France Hospital
➢ Surgical Preceptor for Windsor University School of Medicine.
Dr Woodley-Fassale is married and the proud mother of a 15-year-old daughter.

Wayne Roberts
Consultant at Thermetrix Ltd and Bermuda Limb Care Ltd and CEO of AI Medmonitor
Wayne Roberts presently serves as the International Sales Manager at Thermetrix Ltd and holds the position of CEO at Bermuda Limb Care Ltd. He also manages multiple consultancy contracts within the medical device industry, with a specific focus on introducing cutting-edge remote access Digital Health devices for monitoring and treating Diabetic Foot Disease and related conditions in Bermuda and the Caribbean.
With a robust background in Corporate and International Sales management spanning 25 years, Mr. Roberts has demonstrated expertise in this field. Moreover, he has owned and operated a thriving Private Medical Aesthetics Clinic for the past decade, collaborating closely with the UK NHS.

Dr. Daniel Johnson, DPM
Consultant Podiatrist at the Ministry of Health, Nassau, Bahamas
Dr. Johnson is presently the Consultant Podiatrist at The Ministry of Health, Nassau, Bahamas and CEO of Diabetic Treatment Centres of The Americas.
His qualifications include: Bachelors of Science Podiatric Medicine, University of Westminster; Masters of Psychology and Clinical Psychoanalysis, London, England; Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and the Commonwealth Fellowship for Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Podiatric Medicine.
His education began at Queen’s College. From here he studied Basic Medical Studies at John Abbot College, Montreal, Canada. Following this he received a degree in Neuropsychology at McGill University, a Masters in Classic Psychoanalysis and trained at Antioch International University and Guy’s Hospital in London. He was later provided with a scholarship from the Commonwealth Fellowship Board to study Podiatric Medicine and Limb preservation at Westminster University, University College Hospital and the London Foot Hospital and School of Podiatric Medicine. Graduating in 1993, he received the school’s shield, its highest honor in Europe. Then joined the American Academy of Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Since completing his graduate and postgraduate studies in Podiatric medicine, he has established the Foot and Ankle Institute of which he is the Clinical Director.
He later co-founded Auskell Advanced Medical Clinic in Marsh Harbor, Abaco. He became lead research fellow for the Life Extension foundation world diabetes project and a Director of the Bahamas Medical Arts Institute.
He served as Medical Director of We Care and the Walk-In Medical Clinics in the Bahamas.
Dr. Johnson has been an advocate of medical innovation and affordable healthcare for all Bahamians. He is also CEO of Fort Charlotte Surgi-Centre and has clinical associations in New York, Atlanta and Miami. Dr. Johnson is now a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow) in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.

Lauren Mayers-Tempro, DipFHP MCFHP MAFHP
Podiatry Assistant and Clinical Administrator at Comfeet Foot Care Clinic
Lauren Mayers-Tempro, DipFHP MCFHP MAFHP, serves as a Podiatry Assistant and Clinical Administrator at Comfeet Foot Care Clinic, where she brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to the field of healthcare. With a career spanning six years, Lauren finds profound fulfillment in her role, particularly in witnessing the restoration of her patients’ health and their subsequent return to a semblance of normalcy.
A recent graduate of the Smae Institute, Lauren attained her diploma with merit in Foot Health, thereby earning the title of Foot Health Practitioner. Additionally, she holds memberships with esteemed professional bodies such as The British Association of Foot Health Professionals and the Open College of Foot Health Professionals, underscoring her commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development.
Lauren’s pursuit of excellence extends beyond her formal education. She completed the esteemed Wounds Canada Institute Super Program #1, achieving certification in April 2022. Committed to staying abreast of the latest advancements in her field, she diligently engages in continuous professional development (CPD) activities on a monthly basis.
With an unwavering passion for her craft, Lauren aspires to ascend to the role of Podiatrist, with a specialization in Wound Care/Tissue Viability. Motivated by the pressing need for specialized care in this domain, she harbors a profound desire to effect meaningful change in Barbados and positively impact the lives of individuals in need of her expertise.

Dr. Andrew S. Dhanoo, BSc., RPT, PhD
President of Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Dr. Dhanoo is currently the President of the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago, serving his 3rd term of office and serving the DATT in various roles for the past eight years. He is also a Director of the Trinidad and Tobago NCD Alliance (TTNCDA) and serves on the Ministry of Health’s Food Advisory Committee.
He is a lecturer in Biochemistry at the School of Nursing -Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Food Production- Faculty of Food and Agriculture, and a research associate at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Life Sciences.
Dr. Dhanoo holds a PhD from the UWI St. Augustine in clinical biochemistry. His work involves investigating novel non-invasive diabetes screening and testing methods, which is of particular interest in screening children for diabetes risk.

Andrew Springer, BSc, DCh, DE, WCC(c), FRSH
Executive Committee Chair, Wounds Canada
Andrew Springer has been a practicing chiropodist since 1983. He has practiced in a variety of public and private practice settings. During his career, he has been active in a number of professional activities requiring leadership, vision, integrity and compassion, including serving as President of the Ontario Society of Chiropodists and the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and in several capacities – clinical, management and administrative – at North York General Hospital, West Park Healthcare and Providence Healthcare. Andrew is also a member of the Ontario Diabetes Foot Care Task Force and a consultant to the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle. In 2010, Andrew received the recognition of “Outstanding Dedication and Service to the Advancement of the Profession” Ontario Society of Chiropodists.

Andrew Lockwood
Manager and Interprofessional Practice Chief - OT, Physiotherapy and TR - Baycrest Centre, Ontario, Canada
Andrew Lockwood works at Baycrest Hospital as Manager and Interprofessional Practice Chief – Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Therapeutic Recreation where he leads and/or supports many hospital improvement initiatives and projects with respect to practice, including; Pressure Injury Quality Improvement Plan, in addition to supporting the implementation of several Ministry of Health’s funded initiatives to drive best practices in patient care. Previous to his current role, Andrew has maintained the position of Professional Practice Leader for Physiotherapy and Rehab Assistants at Humber River Hospital in addition to more than 15 years of experience as a physiotherapist from various acute care hospitals in both Canada and the USA. He holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a Master of Physical Therapy. Andrew is also an examiner for the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.

Whitney Sherman, OT Reg. (Ont.) MSc.OT
Registered Occupational Therapist, Leader, Advance Practice - Baycrest Centre, Ontario, Canada
Whitney has worked at Baycrest Hospital since 2008 as an Occupational Therapist and more recently as and an Advanced Practice Leader across hospital programs. Whitney works to support organizational projects such as various quality improvement plans (QIPs), hospital policy and procedure development and other service improvement initiatives. Whitney is involved in supporting the on-boarding of students and new therapists across hospital units as well as providing facilitating educational opportunities to maintain best practice. Whitney provides interprofessional consultation for a variety of clinical issues including navigating complex discharges, equipment recommendations and guiding client needs related to cognition, pressure injuries and fall prevention.

Nishita Kamath
Quality & Process Improvemment Consultant - Baycrest Centre, Ontario, Canada
Nishita Kamath works at Baycrest as a Quality & Process Improvement Consultant. In her role, she leads and supports improvement initiatives across the hospital inpatient units as well as corporate teams such as Environmental Services and Food and Nutrition Services. Examples of initiatives include pressure injury prevention, improving patient experience, a palliative approach to care, sustaining improvement huddles on the inpatient units and building Quality Improvement capacity of teams by partnering with staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and families. Nishita studied Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto and has process improvement experience across industries such as pharmaceutical, supply chain logistics, and now, healthcare. She has also completed a Certificate Course in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS) and her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in the past.

Dr. Kristien Van Acker, MD, PhD
Diabetologist, President of D-Foot International
Dr. Kristien Van Acker completed her internal medicine/ diabetology training in 1989 at the University of Antwerp. Where she founded in the same year the first multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Clinic for Belgium. Her PhD thesis titled “The Diabetic Foot a Challenge for Policy Makers and Health Care Professionals”. She was active at the University Hospital of Antwerp from 1986 till 2003.
Since 2001 Dr. Van Acker has gained extensive experience in the field of
diabetic foot education in developing countries. She founded and chaired the Train-the-Foot-Trainer projects, which were very successfully executed for the SACA region, the Caribbean Region, Europe, the Western Pacific Region, the Marrakesh meeting for French-speaking African countries and the Maghreb. The last course was established in Abu Dhabi for all regional experts of the Middle East in January 2020.
She is (co-) author of many peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and books, of which the IDF WDD publication “Time to Act, Put feet first” in 2005.
She was clinically active as a diabetes consultant and organized outpatient multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinics in her country. (Last one at Centre Santé Des Fagnes, Chimay, Belgium). She was at the end of her career the Medical Director of the project HUmani – CSF Chimay- ISPPC Charleroi.
She was a consultant of the Tropical Institute in Antwerp, Belgium and a
lecturer on “Public Health” and “ Chronic disease management”macers.
She was co-founder of the “Eurodiale” group.
She received the life-time achievement Award of the DFSG/EASD 2017 in
Porto. She was 2 times board member of DFSG. She received the Indian
DFSICON award of 2016 and at the 4-yearly ISDF meeting in The Hague
(24 May 2019) the Diabetic Foot Medal of Honor for outstanding contributions to diabetic foot care. She was extremely pleased to receive in 2022 the DFCON award in Los Angeles: The Edward James Olmos Award for Advocacy Amputa2on Prevention.
April 2009: Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International Award for a good international Project in Senegal, supported by Rotary International.
Today she is the Founder, Past-President and Honorary President of D-
Foot International (the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot
– Implementation Group) ( www.d-foot.org ). Implementation, translation, analyzing healthcare systems, data collection, and health economics are her main passions, along with education.
She is retired since October 2023 but is willing to contribute further in
education.
She is a passionate nature photographer.