MEET THE TEAM
CAPE HAND SURGERY TEAM
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Dr Dirk van der Spuy
Orthopaedic and Upper Limb
Hand Surgeon
Carolyn Wigston
Practice Manager
Kerri Collett
Practice Clinical Assistant
Edward Arnold
Medical Practice Administrator
THE PRACTICE MANAGER
Carolyn Wigston
Carolyn's journey in the healthcare realm commenced in 2013 when she joined Dr Dirk van der Spuy to facilitate the opening of his medical practice. Prior to this, Carolyn had garnered experience in the corporate, human resources, and marketing domains, bringing valuable learnings from her Psychology degree and an extensive understanding of business principles, marketing tools, and effective strategies. Her goal has been to assist Dr van der Spuy in providing a world-class, professionally elevated, and secure experience for all patients visiting the practice. Additionally, she is a collaborator in iMedprac alongside Dr. van der Spuy, where they, together with a team of professionals, guide medical specialists in establishing legally sound and thriving medical practices.
SPECIALIST TEAM
At Cape Hand Surgery, we understand that comprehensive care is vital for your orthopaedic and hand surgery needs. We believe in a collaborative approach to providing you with the best possible care. That is why we have assembled a team of dedicated specialists who work alongside me to ensure your health and well-being. Each member of our specialist network brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for delivering top-notch medical services. We invite you to get to know them better through their photographs and short biographies below.
DR PHILIP SAMUEL
MBChB (Stell), DA (SA), FCA (SA), MMed (Anaes)
Philip completed his medical training at the University of Stellenbosch in 2002 and, after working in both the UK and Canada, returned to SA to complete specialist training in anaesthesia at UCT in 2020. Outside of theatre, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters. He also has a keen interest in music and is an avid guitar player.
DR MARK MURRAY
MBChB (UCT), DA (SA), FCA (SA)
Mark studied at UCT and completed his anaesthetic training at Groote Schuur and Red Cross Hospitals at the end of 2009. He has been in private practice since 2011, having spent a year in the UK. He has an interest in orthopaedic and regional anaesthesia. His life is kept busy with a working wife and 3 children, and he enjoys the outdoors, mountain biking and hiking.
PROF DHIREN GOVENDER
MBChB, MMed, PhD (Natal), FFPath (SA), FCPath (ECSA), FRCPath (UK), IFCAP (USA)
Anatomical Pathologist at PathCare, Claremont and Emeritus Professor at the University of Cape Town.
Former Head of Division and Wernher and Beit Professor/Chair of Anatomical Pathology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur and Red Cross Children’s hospital.
Dhiren has a special interest in bone and soft tissue pathology.
DR IKRAM
MBBS (Punjab), FCS Orth (SA)
Dr Ajmal Ikram is a Consultant Orthopaedic and Hand Surgeon with a special interest in Brachial Plexus Reconstruction, Distal radius fractures, Wrist Arthroscopy, Upper limb sports injuries, Clavicle fracture fixations, Elbow and Shoulder reconstructive surgery.
DR CATHERINE SPARGO
MBChB (UCT), FCP (SA), Cert Rheumatology
Dr Catherine Spargo is a physician and specialist rheumatologist at the Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa. She received her MBChB at the University of Cape Town in 1991 and trained in general medicine as a Medical Registrar at Groote Schuur Hospital until 1998, where she gained her FCP (SA). Dr Spargo continued her training at Groote Schuur Hospital and qualified as a specialist rheumatologist in 2000.
KERRI COLLETT
Occupational Therapists
Kerri graduated with an Honours degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Cape Town in 2002.
She garnered her experience in the specialist field of hand therapy from 2009 at renowned hand therapy centers in London, namely Chelsea and Westminster, Hospital The Royal Free Hospital and St Thomas's Hospital. She returned to South Africa in 2012 and started working with Dr van der Spuy in 2014 as his practice clinical assistant. This role entails facilitating the post surgery journey of Dr van der Spuy’s patients with ward visit after the surgery to give important post surgery information, assisting with wound care, rehabilitation and general post surgery management.
TAMMY WILLIAMS
Occupational Therapy
Tammy’s curiosity in Hand Therapy was ignited in high school, when she observed a family friend going through major injury rehabilitation. It lead her to study Occupational Therapy at UCT, where her interest in the hands specialty was stoked, doing practical placements in both Hands and Burns care as a student.
Graduating in 2000, she was then fortunate to get grounded early professional experience in at the Cape Hand Clinic (Vincent Pallotti, Cape Town) spending a collective 8 years with the team. She also spent 6 years with Therapy in Action (Stellenbosch & Somerset West), with a strong focus on work related injuries and expanding the specialist hand therapy service in the Helderberg area.
JOANNE WYLIE
Physiotherapist
Joanne Wylie is a physiotherapist with a special interest in upper limb and hand injuries. This interest was sparked as an undergraduate during a clinical rotation block in hands at Groote Schuur Hospital with Dr Martin Singer.
Since then, Joanne has worked extensively in this field in various specialized hand surgery units, including Vincent Pallotti, Constantiaberg, N1 City, Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals.
Currently, she works with Dr van der Spuy at Harbour Bay Medical Centre, treating post-operative hand patients.
In addition, Joanne runs a general neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy practice in Kirstenhof.
Dr Dirk van der Spuy and his wife, Karen van der Spuy
