Certification Program in Pulmonary Rehabilitation - Level 1: Basic

MPT

Professor and head of the Cardiovascular Respiratory Physiotherapy Department at Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune, India, with over 12 years of work experience. She shows a keen interest in phase 2 rehabilitation for patients with cardiac and pulmonary diseases. She is an active member of SOCVPR and aspires to enhance awareness about cardiopulmonary rehabilitation among the masses and impart quality education in the field. 

M.D (Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases)

Professor & head, Respiratory Medicine, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai-22. Associate member of the European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Diseases (IUATLD), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and Indian Chest Society (ICS). ICMR researcher in airway diseases, vaccines and biologicals. 

MBBSS, PGDNB (Respiratory diseases and Tuberculosis)

Working as a consultant in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Lilavati Hospital and Research Center and has around 10 years of clinical experience. She has been the author of several chapters discussing pertinent subjects like tuberculosis, sleep disorders, critical care medicine, allergies, and asthma. On an international platform, she has authored a chapter on sleep disorders in a special issue released under the auspices of the International Journal of Head and Neck Surgery (IJHNS). She was twice awarded as “COVID Yodha (Warrior)” by the Governor of the state of Maharashtra. 

MPT

He is the HOD & chief physiotherapist at VNA Hospital and the founder of Solace Physiotherapy Centre LLP, Delhi, India. He is a London Shoulder Clinic expert and a tutor. He was formerly associated as a head for 8 years at the prestigious National Heart Institute in Delhi. He has more than 15 years of work experience and specializes in ICU management and rehabilitation. He is currently an international faculty for the International Institute of Health Sciences in Sri Lanka. 

MPT

Nikhil Latey is a physiotherapist and sports scientist with over 20 years of experience. He has worked closely with India’s top athletes, including Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom at the London 2012 Olympics, ace shooter Gagan Narang at Rio 2016, and badminton star Saina Nehwal at the All-England Championships in 2015. He now leads ProPhysio – Performance Amplified, a state-of-the-art physiotherapy and sports science centre focusing on recovery, rehabilitation, and return-to-sport strategies. He specializes in exercise physiology and biomechanical analysis, and innovative approaches to rehabilitation and performance enhancement. 

PhD

Over 16 years of experience as a rehabilitation specialist in clinical practice, teaching, and research. Currently, an associate professor and deputy manager of research operations at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. Awarded for contributions to physiotherapy and research, securing national and international research grants and actively engaging in collaborative research projects. Contributed chapters to clinical practice guidelines. Her expertise is in cardiopulmonary, neurological, and orthopaedic rehabilitation, critical care physiotherapy, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. 

MPT

Pulmonary rehabilitation physiotherapist with around 15 years of experience. Chief physiotherapist at Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, Goregaon, Mumbai. Visiting faculty: Nanavati Hospital, NMIMS University for master's students. MIAP, treasurer, Society of CVPR, ERS member. Awarded the Maharashtra State IAP COVID Warrior Award in 2021. 

MPT

She is working as assistant professor at T. N. Medical College, Mumbai, and has more than 27 years of work experience. Her area of expertise is critical care and exercise prescription in patients with cardiopulmonary impairments. As secretary of the Research Society of T. N. Medical College from 2021 to 2023, she succeeded in attaining recognition of the Research Society as a “Scientific and Industrial Organization (SIRO)” under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India. As core committee member of neurorehabilitation in her institute, she planned the physiotherapy setup for the first-ever Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika flagship project of “Early Intervention for Rehabilitation of Children Centre” in Mumbai. She is one of the founding members of “The Society of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation”. 

MPT

A senior physiotherapist with a work experience of 14 years in inpatient, outpatient, and critical care rehabilitation. She is currently working at Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre, Mumbai. Her expertise has been honed at prestigious multi-specialty hospitals such as Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Lilavati Hospital, and Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai. Awarded Maharashtra State COVID Warrior Certificate by the IAP. She is a co-author of a notable article on pulmonary rehabilitation in the esteemed JAPI journal. She serves as the secretary of the Society of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, demonstrating her commitment to advancing the field. 

MPT

A physiotherapist with over 14 years of clinical experience and more than a decade of teaching expertise. Currently pursuing PhD from DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai, and working as an assistant professor at NMIMS’ Sunandan Divatia School of Science, Mumbai. With my experience spanning clinical practice, academia, and research, Poonam brings a well-rounded perspective to this course. As one of the founder members of SOCVPR, she believes in lifelong learning and look forward to contributing to the growth and success of future physiotherapy professionals.

Co-Chair & Faculty - PhD

Professor, Terna Physiotherapy College, Navi Mumbai with around 20 years of academic and clinical experience. He is a member of the Maharashtra State Allied & Health Care Council, Mumbai; central executive council member, Indian Association of Physiotherapists; board of studies member, Nitte University, Mangalore; board of studies member, Jaipur University, Jaipur; vice president, Society of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He is an editorial member of Scientific Research Journal of India, International Journal of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Journal of Medical Thesis, Indian Journal of Physical Therapy & Research, and “Physiopress” magazine of Bangladesh Physiotherapists Association. 

PhD

Dr. Bela Agarwal is a professor and head of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiotherapy at MGM School of Physiotherapy, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai. She has over 30 years of clinical experience and 18 years of teaching and research experience. She is an executive council member of the Society of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and an AHA-accredited basic life support and advanced life support provider and basic life support instructor. Her expertise will be useful in developing and adapting cardiorespiratory evaluation tools, developing health literacy material for these conditions, and implementing a package of rehabilitation interventions for ischemic heart disease and COPD.

BSc, P.G.D in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition

She has around 35 years of work experience at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, as a senior clinical and metabolic dietician in various multi-specialty fields. Also involved in providing training and guidance to postgraduates and RD internship students. Featured in discussions on nutrition for Mumbai Doordarshan TV programs like Sakhi Sahyadri and Young Tarang. Conducted a series of lectures on disease and nutrition in Arogya Sampada on Prasar Bharati’s All India Radio. Certified keto epilepsy dietician, certified FODMAP-IBS dietician, MONASH University – Australia, certified diabetes educator (LIHS), certified ESPEN LLL courses nutrition in various specialties. 

Masters in Clinical Psychology

A clinical psychologist with over 8 years of experience, practicing in the Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Department at the Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital. She also runs a thriving cancer support group for the past 5 years. She contributes articles on mental health to several prominent newspapers and magazines across India like the Times of India, Hindustan Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, India Today, Mid-Day, Indian Express, etc. She is also an expert advisor on the HER-CIRCLE website – India’s premier networking community for women. Ms. Dordi was the recipient of the prestigious ‘Business World – 40-under-40’ award at the grand event of Business World’s ‘Festival of Wellbeing’, April 2023. 

PhD

A physiotherapy professional working as a professor at MAEER's Physiotherapy College, Talegaon, Pune, with a work experience of around 16 years. He has a special interest in cardiac rehabilitation and patient education, particularly specializing in exercise prescriptions for special populations dealing with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and congestive cardiac failure. 

MOT

Working as an assistant professor in the Occupational Therapy School and Centre, Seth GS Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, for more than 8 years. He has been the co-director of SynergAce Complete Rehab Solutions, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, for more than 6 years. 

MPT

He is the HOD & chief physiotherapist at VNA Hospital and the founder of Solace Physiotherapy Centre LLP, Delhi, India. He is a London Shoulder Clinic expert and a tutor. He was formerly associated as a head for 8 years at the prestigious National Heart Institute in Delhi. He has more than 15 years of work experience and specializes in ICU management and rehabilitation. He is currently an international faculty for the International Institute of Health Sciences in Sri Lanka. 

MPT

A full-time consultant in cardiac rehabilitation at Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, Powai since 2015 and having around 14 years of work experience. She has gained experience in cardiac rehabilitation at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, Texas. On board as an executive committee member for the Society of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. She is one of the directors of Chirayush Health and Research Foundation, an NGO working towards cardiovascular issues in children in Central India. Her fields of interest are exercise physiology, cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, wellness for senior citizens, primary prevention, and evidence-based weight loss techniques.