Wayne Derman

About Wayne Derman

Wayne Derman is a specialist sports physician and a Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where he serves as the Head of the Division of Sport, Exercise & Lifestyle Medicine. He is also the Co-Director of the IOC Research Centre of South Africa and Director of the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Stellenbosch. He is currently the Medical Director of the International Paralympic Committee. Professor Derman has played a vital role in providing clinical support to South African athletes at the international level. He served as the Chief Medical Officer for the South African Team at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, as well as for the South African Paralympic Team at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games. In 2001/2002 he served as Flight Surgeon to Cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth during his First African in Space Mission. His research primarily focuses on injury prevention and health issues in athletes, particularly those with disabilities, as well as in Lifestyle Medicine. Professor Derman has published over 350 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy documents, and is a prominent and entertaining speaker on the international stage With diverse interests, he has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Fellowship from the American College of Sports Medicine, the Val Schreire Award for Outstanding Investigator in the Cardiovascular Field in Southern Africa, and the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International for community contribution. He was honored with the Department of Health and Health Professionals Council Award for Excellence in Health Care in South Africa.

Key message

Health protection is performance protection; inclusion requires tailored systems; Evidence‑based policy drives safer sport; Exercise is a prescription for NCD prevention

Speaking topics and expertise

• Into the Zone: How Elites Engineer Performance Under Pressure
• Staying young whilst getting older - without Botox Prozac or Viagra