Mrs. Thembi Nkomo | mental health and psychiatry | Best Researcher Award

🎓 Educational Qualifications

2021: PGDip in Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Pretoria. 2019: Master’s in Public Health, University of Limpopo. 2014: B.Sc. in Occupational Therapy, University of the Western Cape

🏫 Teaching Portfolio

Position: Lecturer, Occupational Therapy Department, University of the Free State (2023 – Present)

• Courses Taught:
  • First Year: Community-based engagement, Motivation
  • Second Year: Community-based practice, Social participation & communication
  • Third Year: Performance patterns, Ethics
  • Fourth Year: Various mental health disorders and forensic psychiatry

🤝 Community Engagements

Supervises community-based engagements for first-year students. Conducts handwriting assessments for students requiring additional time during tests and exams.

👩‍⚕️ Clinical Experience

Position: Occupational Therapist, Mankweng Tertiary and Academic Hospital (2015 – 2022)

• Managed the Occupational Therapy psychiatry department, conducted functional capacity evaluations, and supervised outreach programs.

📝 Extra Contributions

• Facilitated a mental health awareness event in 2022, securing sponsorships and engaging stakeholders.
• Initiated an outpatient group for vocational rehabilitation of patients with mental illness and started a vegetable garden in the ward.