Meet our International Team
Genie Health started off in the USA in 2018, first as PT Genie. Over the years, they have expanded not only across various healthcare disciplines but also into South Africa, as part of their global strategy. Genie Health aims to being world class technology and services to enhance patient participation and outcomes in physical rehab programmes.
Dr. Reuben Gobezie, MD
CEO & Co-Founder
Dr. Gobezie is a practicing orthopedic surgeon with more than 20 years of extensive experience in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, his innovative techniques within advanced arthroscopic surgery and shoulder replacement surgery care rank him as one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the United States. Improving patient care and driving value for all stakeholders in the healthcare marketplace are the primary motivations driving his work at Genie Health.
Dr. Laurence Higgins, MD, MBA
Co-Founder
Dr. Higgins is the President and Co-Founder of Genie Health. Driven by his passion for the provider/patient relationship, Dr. Higgins was inspired to create a tool that not only kept providers up to date with real time data about patient progress, but also enhanced compliance and improved outcomes.
Dr. Higgins’ diverse background includes having served as the Chief of the Brigham & Women’s Hospital Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Boston, MA. During this time, he developed a world-class and internationally renowned clinical care and subspecialty training programs and served as an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and the combined Harvard Orthopaedic Residency program. Compelled to expand his impact on value driven care and outcomes research, Dr. Higgins received his MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT and lectured at Harvard Business School. Dr. Higgins also serves as the Vice President of Strategic Development for Arthrex; a global medical device company and has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and chapters.
Deon Buhrs
Executive Director | South Africa
Deon Buhrs qualified as a Physiotherapist at the University of Pretoria (Cum Laude) in 1997. Over the past 2 decades, he has practiced in both the public and private sector, in South Africa and the UK, and served as President of the SA Society of Physiotherapy.
Deon has a passion for Healthcare Technology, and the role it plays in improving quality and accessibility of services. This has been demonstrated in the various technology solutions he has introduced into the South African healthcare environment, including Society membership management systems, practice management systems and services.
Deon is a father of 4 children and compliments his work environment with a keen interest in mountain biking and triathlons, where he continues to compete on the international stage.
Stella Yardley
Clinical Director | South Africa
Stella Yardley completed her studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in Physiotherapy, and on completion of her community service year moved to Ballito, on the KZN coast. Here she joined a practice, treating predominantly orthopedic cases and musculoskeletal / sports injuries.
Early in her career Stella worked in the hospital as well as the clinic, but later on chose to focus on clinic work. She became part-owner of the practice which then opened a second branch.
Throughout her career, Stella has been privileged to work with both professional sports people as well as weekend warriors. Stella’s clinical skills and vision compliments the Genie Health team as we continue to embark on exciting paths and a bright future.
Bertie Herbst
Head of Quality | South Africa
Bertie is a qualified Biokineticist, leader, speaker, husband, and father of 2. He envisions to be a person of influence and to develop leaders within the health spectrum. Bertie started his career two decades ago and is known for his expertise and has been called upon to speak at international conferences alongside other medical and health professionals.
He serves on numerous boards and committees within the health sector. Bertie places value on growth in his personal and professional life and for this reason he completed his master’s degree.