Herbert is truly deserving of the Top Contributor recognition for August. His outstanding teamwork and leadership qualities shine through in every aspect of his work as the Education Focal Point for the ReLAB-HS initiative in Uganda. Herbert manages his responsibilities across the Toolkit team, the ReLAB-HS country team, and a diverse group of rehabilitation therapists, seamlessly collaborating with professionals from various disciplines, including Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physiotherapists (PTs), Speech and Language Therapists (SLT), and Orthopaedic Technologists (OTT). His ability to blend into each profession, despite being a PT himself, is a testament to his adaptability and respect for all fields. Herbert has organised multiple in-person meetings with ease, calmness, and respect, showcasing his exceptional leadership. As a servant leader, he has earned the respect of his colleagues, demonstrating a deep care for his work and the people he serves. You are such an asset to Physiopedia, we are proud and supportive of your work. Well done!

Time active with Physiopedia: 2 years, 5 months and 21 days (wow, very precise!).

Current role with Physiopedia: Education Focal Point for the ReLAB-HS activity in Uganda.

Where did you go to university/college? I have a degree in Public Health and Health Promotion from Uganda Martyrs University. I am also in my final year of a  Master’s of Public Health at Makerere University School of Public Health.

Where do you work? I work at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, a government facility in Uganda as a PT. I also support the School of Physiotherapy at the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences as a part-time tutor. I also work part-time with Physiopedia making rehabilitation accessible to everyone, particularly in my country of Uganda.

Describe your role: As a PT, I provide assessment and treatment for patients with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions collaboratively with other medical team members to promote, maintain, and restore function.

As a tutor, I teach, supervise students at the clinics, and support research work.

For Physiopedia, I support the ReLAB-HS activity of workforce development. This involves working with the rehabilitation professionals in the training institutions to strengthen their programs for rehabilitation, while also working with the professional associations to strengthen their mandate to provide continuous professional development.

What is the most rewarding part of being a clinician, or working with Physiopedia?

Physiopedia is a family of very supportive and dedicated members who have given me the courage and resilience to grow professionally and personally. This global family has given me the opportunity to bring out the best in me. Even when I felt inadequate, the team supported me through continuous guidance and this has had a spillover effect in my day-to-day roles as a clinician in the hospital, a tutor at the school of Physiotherapy, and as a father in my family.

As an education focal point, I have found it rewarding to see rehabilitation in Uganda begin to be an integral part of the health system – and the professionals are championing this drive. This was a dream for many of us but now it is a reality. I am glad to be part of that “pinch of salt that has given the food taste” collaboratively with the whole Physiopedia team!

As a clinician, being able to see the smile that you put on a patient’s face after hours, days, weeks or even months of rehabilitation is very satisfying. You get to know that your efforts have not been in vain, and the hopes and dreams of these individuals are restored.

What are some of the more challenging aspects about your work? 

Working in environments with limited resources. This has also created opportunities to be creative with my work with the available resources, all the while having an open mind to source for help from others.

What are some of your professional passions?

I would like to complete my Master’s of Public Health and pursue a PhD. My ambition is to ultimately be able to share this knowledge, experience, and skills within the education sector of my country and the global community.

What are a few of your personal passions?

Building better and stronger relations with family, friends, and colleagues. Being a change agent in my community through acts of service such as volunteer work.

What would be your advice to a newly graduating physiotherapist or professional?

Be patient and determined.

Life has a way of throwing all sorts of curveballs at us, but amidst all this – take every opportunity to learn and grow (even the less obvious opportunities).

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A champion and an advocate for rehabilitation in my country and globally.

What are the best things about being a part of the Physiopedia team? 

This is an honest, dedicated and motivated team that is willing to outperform themselves for the betterment of rehabilitation professionals globally. Being a part of this team has allowed me to experience the best values that any organistaion stands for. The team is simply amazing!

How has being a Physiopedia team member helped your professional development/career progression?

I have been able to learn from the best in the rehabilitation realm. This for me has opened my understanding of the value of sharing what you have with others, thus creating impact. I have been exposed to developing a curriculum from scratch, understanding regulation and policy engagement on a deeper level, and witness a systematic way of promoting a continuous professional development training programme. For me this is growth.  I do not take this for granted because I would never have had this opportunity to be among a family of selfless global rehabilitation professionals who are willing to support one another.

I am a better professional after two years of being part of the Physiopedia team than I was 17 years ago when I graduated as a physiotherapist, as I have had to learn and adapt to the new and ever-changing world of rehabilitation.

What are your hopes and aspirations for Physiopedia?

I wish for Physiopedia to continue to reach as many rehabilitation professionals as possible – even to the most remote parts of the globe, bringing much-needed knowledge and skills to different rehabilitation professionals. In so doing, transforming the lives of those who benefit from rehabilitation services.

What is your favourite Plus course?

Honestly, all the courses on Plus are amazing. Although I have not had the privilege to do them all; my favourite has been stroke rehabilitation so far. I am warming up for the research courses that we will be starting soon with the rehabilitation professionals in Uganda.

Anything else you would like to share?

Thanks to Rachael and Tony for their BIG vision for Physiopedia! My gratitude goes to the entire team at Physiopedia, for the tremendous effort and dedication they have put into seeing this vision come alive. Thank you all and thank you Physiopedia.