EFSHT - European Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The EC is carrying into effect the resolutions and activities decided by the Council. The EC is delegated the managing authority by the Council of the Federation for the periods between Council Meetings. The EC officers are elected by the Council after a nomination by delegates of full member societies. The specific functions of the officers are listed in Articles 11 – 14 of the Federation by-laws.

President 2008 -

Name: Roma Bhopal
Nationality: British
Education: 1978 MCSP (Physiotherapist)
Work experience as PT: General junior posts, vascular surgery, musculoskeletal outpatients, maternity and travel breaks, hand and upper limb therapy from 1993
Present Position: Senior Physiotherapist Upper Limb Unit, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh
Assignments: Member BAHT Executive committee 1997- 2002 (chairman 1999-2002), Member Permanent Scientific Committee EFSHT 2001 - 2005, Reviewer British Journal of Hand Therapy - ongoing, Chairman Organising Committee IFSHT 2004. Member of Hand Therapy network for iCSP (a new interactive website recently launched by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) ongoing.
Member Organising Committee British Elbow and Shoulder Society meeting 2006

President Elect 2008 - 2010

Name: Tracy Fairplay
Nationality: Italian / American
Education: Graduated in Physical therapy and Rehabilitation : Bachelor of Science Degree Dean’s List Scholar Boston Massachusetts 1983
Work Experience: Neurorehabiltation of the Upper Extremity 1984-1985, Isokinetic rehabilitation (specialization in Upper extremity) 1986-1988, Upper Extremity Orthopaedic Rehabilitation 1988-1989, Temporomandibular/Craniomandibular Dysfunction Rehabilitation 1990-1991, Cranio-Sacral therapy 1998-2000, Hand and Upper Extremity Neuromuscular Rehabilitation 2000-present
Present Position: Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Studio-Private Practice Bologna Italy Hand therapy consultant -Policlinico di Modena’s Functional Re-education Department Congenital Hand Malformation clinic.
Assignments: A.I.T.M. (Associazione Italiana terapisti della Mano) member 1995-2002, European and International representative of the Italian Society of Hand Therapists G.I.S. R.A.S.M 2002-2007, European representative AIRM, Lecturer 1st European University Hand Therapy Master’s Program - University of Milan 2007-2008, Outcome measurements commission SICM/GISRASM/AIRM 2007-2008.

General Secretary 2006 - 2009

Name: Sheila Harris
Nationality: British
Education: 1969 PTR (Registered Physiotherapist)
Work experience as PT: 1969 -1972 at St Andrews Hospital as Physiotherapist (general). 1974-1980 at St Andrews Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns as Physiotherapist in all areas. Since 1980 Hand Therapist. 1998 -2004 Clinical Specialist Hand Therapy with special interest in Flexor Tendons. Retired 2004
Assignments: Invited speaker at several Conferences and co-author of several papers
1995 -1997 Chairman of the British Association of Hand Therapists, member since founded in 1984
1997-2000 President of the European Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy

Treasurer 2005 - 2008

Name: Glykeria Gounaropoulou
Nationality: Greek
Education: 1981 PTR (Registered Physiotherapist)
1999-2001 Postgraduate Course in Hand Therapy
Work Experience as PT: Since 1982 private practice in Gyzi, Athens. Since 1984 in Kesariani Municipality Day Care Centre for Elderly.
Present Position: Currently as above
Assignments: 2003 and onwards Secretary of the Greek Society of Hand Therapy
Invited speaker and member of the Organising Committee of various annual congresses of the Hellenic Scientific Society of Physiotherapy and others.