Tyra Gideon

Tyra Gideon

Tyra Gideon graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2018 with a BSc. Honors Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She completed her community service in East London at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital and then worked at a Care Centre for children with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities as well as locuming at a private rehabilitation facility. Tyra joined the Booth team as Head of Speech Therapy department in 2021 and has a special interest in working with adults, most specifically adult neuro and dysphagia. She has worked in both private and public sectors and is an LSVT Loud accredited therapist.

Jamie Lee Ponto

Jamie Lee Ponto graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2014 with a BSc. Honors Degree in Physiotherapy. She completed her community service at New Somerset hospital in Cape Town and has worked in both the private and public sector in both acute and sub-acute hospitals. She has completed her master’s degree in 2020 focusing on Neonatal ICU entitled “The Role of the physiotherapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Perceptions from the neonatal healthcare professional”. She joined the Booth team in 2019, and has developed a special interest in adult neuro rehabilitation. She has recently completed her basic Bobath course.

Jamie Lee Ponto
Desré Jacobs

Desré Jacobs

Desré Jacobs graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2007 with a BSc. Honours degree in Physiotherapy.  She completed her community service at Michael Mapongwana Community Health Centre in Khayelitsha.  She joined the Booth team in 2019 and has a passion for orthopaedic and post-surgical rehabilitation. Desré has much experience in working in out-patients departments in various communities within Cape town, acute hospitals in both the private and public sector and has run a private practice for 10 years.

Renée Jansen

Renée Jansen graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2010 with a BSc. Honors Degree in Physiotherapy. She completed her community service at Professor Z.K. Matthews Hospital in a small town in the Northern Cape. During her time at Professor Z.K. Matthews Hospital, she started a community fun walk, which still continues today. She is Bobath trained and joined the Booth team in 2015 and has a passion for adult neuro rehabilitation. Renee is the Head of Department for Physiotherapy. She has completed her master’s degree in 2020, titled “Perceptions of healthcare professionals and stroke patients regarding self - management”. Currently, Renée is working on her PhD, under the supervision of Prof. Anthea Rhoda of UWC.

Renée Jansen
Jamilah Ashraff

Jamilah Ashraff

Jamilah Ashraff graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1991 with a BSc. Degree in Occupational Therapy. She worked at Groote Schuur Hospital for 12 years, becoming a senior therapist after 3 years and the chief after 5 years. Jamilah gained extensive experience working in orthopedics, burns, hands, neurology and work assessment. She ran a private practice for 4 years, focusing on adult rehabilitation. She joined the Booth team in 2006, working mainly in neuro rehabilitation and is now the head of therapy.

Mariana van der Merwe

Mrs Mariana van der Merwe is the Nursing Services Manager at Booth Memorial Hospital.
She expertly oversees matters related to patient care and manages all aspects of nursing services. Mrs van der Merwe is a highly qualified member of the Multi Disciplinary Team.
She has a wealth of experience and compassion when it comes to caring for the needs of both patients and staff.

Mrs Mariana van der Merwe - Nursing Services Manager
Sr Desiree Rossouw

Sr Desiree Rossouw

Sr Rossouw is the Ward Supervisor and assists the Nursing Services Manager with her responsibilities.
She is responsible for clinical nursing practice and supervises nursing students who may be placed at Booth for clinical experience. Sr Rossouw has many years of nursing experience and she expertly interacts with patients, their family members and staff members.

Lumka Talakumeni

Lumka Talakumeni is the Admissions Officer at Booth Memorial Hospital.
She deals with all applications for admission of patients to the hospital.
Lumka communicates efficiently with referral hospitals and family members of patients regarding admission arrangements.
She is compassionate in her interactions with the public and has over 20 years of administration experience at Booth.

Lumka Talakumeni
Dr Megan Ehre

Dr Megan Ehre

Dr Megan Ehre is the Medical Officer at Booth Memorial Hospital since July 2020. She obtained her MBChB at Stellenbosch University. She has a passion for Rehabilitative and Palliative Medicine. Her primary role as Medical Officer is to attend to the medical management of patients and to co-ordinate the multi disciplinary team. Dr Ehre states that the team at Booth Memorial Hospital works well together to ensure that patients receive the best possible care despite limited resources. The reward is seeing the progress of our patients, or simply being able to provide comfort and care for those with a terminal diagnosis.

Majors Allister & Yvonne Wood

Majors Allister and Yvonne Wood are appointed by The Salvation Army as Administrators of Booth Memorial Hospital.
They are experienced Salvation Army officers who have a passion to serve God and humanity with excellence.
Major Allister Wood serves as the hospital manager and handles all management related matters.
Major Yvonne Wood serves as chaplain and focuses mainly on the pastoral needs of patients, their families and staff.

Majors Allister and Yvonne Wood