Dr. Ivan Schewitz
MBBS, M.D of Medicine
Dr. Ivan Schewitz`s illustrious career and affiliations with esteemed organizations such as the General Thoracic Club (USA), the European Thoracic and Cardiothoracic Society and the Chest Wall International Group have firmly established him as a global authority, leaving an indelible impact on the medical community worldwide.
As a council member of the South African Thoracic Society and the Director of the VATS Workshops since 2014, Dr. Schewitz has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of cardiothoracic surgery in Africa. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing surgical techniques have inspired practitioners and trainees alike, setting new benchmarks of excellence in the field.
Dr. Schewitz`s expertise shines in the domains of minimally invasive thoracic surgery and chest wall deformities, where he has showcased remarkable proficiency. With meticulous precision, Dr. Ivan Schewitz has curated a portfolio comprising over 40 captivating cardiothoracic presentations throughout his distinguished career.
Notably, 10 of these presentations are devoted to the specialized realm of Pectus Deformity Correction, solidifying his position as a preeminent authority in this field. His relentless commitment to mastering the complexities of Pectus Excavatum and Carinatum Repair Surgery has garnered international acclaim, making him a highly sought-after resource for patients seeking transformative solutions.
Beyond his groundbreaking contributions to cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Ivan Schewitz stands as a beacon of inspiration for fellow medical professionals. His unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and his relentless pursuit of excellence continues to ignite the medical community's passion for scaling new heights in their quests for medical advancement and compassionate patient care.
Dr. Schewitz`s legacy of innovation and commitment to the betterment of humanity in the field of cardiothoracic surgery is a testament to the profound impact a dedicated visionary can have on shaping the course of medical progress. His influence transcends borders, and his work serves as an enduring source of inspiration for future generations of medical pioneers.
Prof. Coenie Koegelenberg
MBBS, M.D of Medicine
Prof Coenie Koegelenberg has more than 16 years of experience in Pulmonology and Critical Care at consultant level. His research interests have included lung cancer, infectious and pleural diseases, preoperative assessment of lung resection candidates, applied transthoracic ultrasound and interventional pulmonology and more recently COVID-19.
Coenie is the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and 17 textbook chapters, most on transthoracic ultrasound, pleural and infectious diseases. He was also extensively involved in numerous guidelines for the management of common respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive lung diseases in South Africa.
He has been an invited speaker to numerous national and international congresses (including in the USA, UK, Europe and Africa).He also serves on the editorial board of four international peer-reviewed journals. Coenie Koegelenberg is the immediate past president of the South African Thoracic Society (SATS) and one of the founding members and current chairman of Interventional Pulmonology South Africa (IPSA), which aims to improve the quality of interventional pulmonology in South Africa and to train pulmonologists in the various techniques.
During his term as SATS president he did not only lead the society through the COVID-19 pandemic, but he also negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), allowing dual membership and a greater footprint for SATS in Africa.
He currently serves as the SATS representative on the Board of Regents of the World Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (WABIP) and represents South Africa on the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). Coenie has been a staunch advocate for patients and have taken up the fight for smoking cessation and lung cancer screening with medical funders (both government and private).
Dr. Shane Dorfman
MBBCh (Wits)(Cum laude), MBA (Wits)(Cum laude) FCRad (Diag) SA, MMed Rad D (Wits)
Dr. Shane Dorfman graduated cum laude from Wits Medical School in 1998 and later went on to specialise in radiology, becoming a Fellow of the College of Radiologists of South Africa and attaining a Masters of Medicine (Diagnostic Radiology).
In 2004 he graduated with an MBA cum laude from Wits Business School, where he received a distinction for his research report on “Public Private Partnerships in the Healthcare sector”. Shane completed the Global Health Leadership Programme through the University of California, Berkeley and Barcelona Graduate School of Economics in 2010.On the clinical front, Dr. Dorfman is currently a radiologist in private practice where his special interest fields are thoracic as well as musculoskeletal imaging.
Shane has done an observership in chest radiology through Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Harvard medical school and while in state practice, was the primary radiologist responsible for consulting to the pulmonology and intensive care units of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital as well as Helen Joseph Hospital.
He performed a similar function for respiratory multidisciplinary meetings once in private practice and was asked to be Chief Radiologist of the ‘Pulmonology Centre of Excellence’, a Public-Private entity devoted to lung cancer research. To further his musculoskeletal interest, Shane is presently doing a fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging under the auspices of musculoskeletal subspecialist radiologists internationally.
On the business front, Shane has held several senior management and executive positions and has served on the boards of various healthcare companies. He has also acted as a part-time lecturer at Wits Business School and consults to an array of local and multinational corporates in his specialist area of Performance Optimisation and Leadership Fitness & Wellness.
Shane is an 8-time world karate champion, former Protea karate team captain and the youngest ever 7th Dan (degree black belt) in a mainstream Japanese karate organisation. He is a director of Kids Kicking Cancer – an NPO devoted to easing the pain of sick children, while empowering them to heal, through martial arts, breathing and meditative techniques.