Priya Soma-Pillay

Priya Soma-Pillay is a candidate for the position of FIGO Regional Trustee Africa - Eastern Mediterranean 2023–2025.

Can't see the video? You'll need to accept all cookies.

Biography

Profile

Dr Priya Soma-Pillay is an academic and healthcare professional affiliated with the University of Pretoria. With a background in medicine, she holds a track record of academic excellence and clinical expertise. Driven by a passion for women's health and reproductive medicine, she has dedicated her career to advancing research and providing compassionate patient care. Her extensive experience encompasses a wide range of specialties, including general obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal and fetal medicine. Known for her innovative research and published works, Dr Soma- Pillay has made significant contributions to the field, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes and empower women through education and advocacy.

Academic qualifications

  • PhD (University of Pretoria 2017)
  • Cert (Maternal and Fetal Medicine) SA (2008)
  • FCOG (SA) 2004
  • MMed (University of Pretoria 2004)
  • Dip (Obstet) SA (1997)
  • MBChB (University of Pretoria 1994)

Current position

  • Head of Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital | 2020 to date
  • Chair, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria | Nov 2022 to date

Memberships in national or international bodies 

International membership

  • International Society of Obstetric medicine (ISOM): Member
  • Editorial Board – Obstetric Medicine Journal
  • Editorial Board – Acta Obstetricia et Scandinavica Journal 2018-2021
  • Executive board member – International Federation of Obstetrics and
  • Gynaecology (FIGO) 2018 - 2023
  • Member of FIGO Committee on Preterm Birth 2021-2023

Local membership

  • South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology:
    • Member of Council 2014 -2018; Honorary secretary 2018 – 2021, Executive member 2021-2024
    • Expert Opinion Panel – Obstetric chair
  • South African Obstetric Medicine Society – non-executive director
  • College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of South Africa:
    • Member of Council 2014-2017; Honorary secretary 2017-2019; Interim President 2019-2020, President 2019-2023
    • Examiner of Part 1 Examination: 2009, 2010, 2011
    • Examiner Dip (Obstet) SA: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2017
    • Examiner Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
    • Examiner Cert Maternal and Fetal Medicine: 2013, 2015, 2016
    • Convenor Cert Maternal and Fetal Medicine 2016
    • Moderator Diploma Obstetrics SA 2021
    • Sub-committee for the accreditation of Diploma in Obstetrics
    • Convenor FCOG examination 2021, 2023
  • College of Medicine of South Africa
    • Member of Senate - 2019-to date
    • Education and Credentials Committee
    • Chair sub-committee for high failure rate at CMSA
  • South African Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Member
    • Organizing committee for 2013 congress
  • Member of the National Committee for Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in South Africa 2012-2020
  • ISOM Congress 2017 – Member of local organizing committee – held in Cape Town
  • National Department of Health COVID-19 Pregnancy Framework Development Team
  • Ministerial Advisory Committee, Technical Working Group on Covid 19 and Pregnancy – 2020
  • World Health Organization – Chair maternal death review meeting
  • Advisory Board – Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa

Research and publications

  • 70 papers in peer-reviewed or refereed journals
  • 10 Educational Publications / Technical Reports

Participation in national and international teaching associations and committees

  • Presentation to South African Parliamentary Committee – State Liability Amendment Bill (2018)
  • Member of Gauteng Clinical Governance Committee (2020- to 2023)
  • Scientific Committee for FIGO World Congress, Australia 2021
  • Scientific Committee for FIGO World Congress, Paris 2023
  • Scientific Committee, Afre Health Conference, Egypt, 2022
  • FIGO Committee for Preterm Birth – 2021- 2023
  • Preterm Birth International Collaborative (PREBIC) - Co-Chair Prebic Africa / South America Branch
  • Ministerial Advisory Committee, Technical Working Group on Covid 19 and Pregnancy – 2020

Research awards and prizes

  • SASOG Gauteng-North registrar prize 2004
  • SASOG 2010 – P Soma-Pillay, Z Nene, AP Macdonald. The effect of warfarin on maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves – best poster
  • Best teacher 2014 – awarded by registrars in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Member – Golden Key Honours Society.
  • Academic Honours – University of Pretoria, 2018
  • Woman and Home magazine – 22 fabulous females of 2019 – no 17