NeuroHarmony Conference & Workshop

NeuroHarmony
Conference & Workshop

A Multidisciplinary Approach in Neuro-Rehabilitation and Neuro-Palliative Care
February 16-18, 2024 Swami Vivekananda Hall, MIT WPU, Kothrud, Pune
Jointly Organized by

About the conference

A Multidisciplinary Approach in Neuro-Rehabilitation and Neuro-Palliative Care
The first of its kind being co-organised by MIT World Peace University and NICHE Advocacy Foundation at MIT campus, Kothrud on 16-18 February 2024.
This will be a 2 and half days scientific program followed by a Public Forum amongst allied healthcare specialties working in the field of Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuropalliative Care.
  • This will incorporate well designed workshops, interactive sessions by experts followed by presentations amongst the foremost leaders in the field of NeuroRehab and Neuro Palliative Care. The topics include Brain Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, Neuropathy, Learning Disabilities. This sensitisation will help them make better career choices and inspire them to select these fields as super specialization in their respective branches. 
  • The audience / participants / delegates will be students and fresh practitioners from the field of MBBS, BAMS, BHMS, Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, and Medical Social Workers. 

Goals & Objectives

This symposium aims to create a platform for knowledge exchange and skill development in the field of neurorehabilitation and neuropalliative care. 
Through this symposium, the foundation aims to: –
  1. Bring together all the necessary specialties under one roof.
  2. Fostering interaction and dialogue to create a seamless healthcare experience for the main stakeholders—the patients and their caregiving families. 
  3. By training allied specialists in both technical and adaptive skills, the project ensures a superior healthcare experience for the patients.
  4. To create a value added course for all above mentioned courses.
  5. Create awareness and inspiration for job opportunities for all above mentioned courses in the field of Neuro-Rehabilitation and Neuro-Palliation. .

Committed to comprehensive care

In the era we call the “New Normal,” healthcare is undergoing a profound transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI), now evolving into what’s known as Artificial Wisdom, is pioneering a new era of collaboration between humans and technology. This convergence of Biology, Bytes, and Bandwidth – the three pillars of healthcare’s future – promises transformative outcomes for individuals and the entire healthcare ecosystem.
NeuroHarmony emerges as a response to this change: a multidisciplinary conference and workshop designed to unlock the potential of Artificial Wisdom to revolutionize Neuro-Rehabilitation and Neuro-Palliative Care.

 In association with MIT World Peace University, NeuroHarmony is committed to advancing Neuro-Palliative Care, ensuring compassionate and comprehensive care for those in need. It is not merely a conference; it’s a catalyst for profound change. We envision a future where Artificial Wisdom seamlessly complements human expertise, personalizes care, and empowers a holistic approach to neuro-healthcare. 

Emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration, and bringing together diverse specialties to foster innovation and improve patient outcomes, the symposium aligns with MIT World Peace University’s commitment to compassionate care. In essence, NeuroHarmony is an invitation to collectively contribute to a future where collaboration, expertise, and Artificial Wisdom orchestrate a symphony of positive change in the field of neuro-healthcare.

Message from

Dr. Milind Pande
Pro Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU

Closing the gaps

In an era when Artificial intelligence, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are invading our lives, even at the grass root level, we can no longer afford to live in silos, especially in the field of Neuroscience. We may learn more and more about less and less and truly end up knowing everything about nothing.

An era of better team work begins, and more so in healthcare.

We see many gaps around us, created especially due to intellectually water tight superspeciality compartments. Our work-silos.

One such gap is the allied health care fields: the Physiotherapists, the Neuro-Physiotherapists, the Occupational Therapists, the Cognitive Psychologists, the Clinical Psychologists, the Counselors, the Neuropsychologists, the Speech and Language Pathologists, the Public Health expert, the Medical Social Worker, the Paramedics, the Yoga trainers and so on. Each getting trained in their own training-silo. Each learning the recent knowledge and gaining skills in isolation of their own field.

Another gap is between the On-Ground working clinicians and the allied healthcare providers. The Neurosurgeons, the Neurologists and the Psychiatrists on one hand manage the surgical and medical aspects of the brain and the mind, the disorders and the disease. They work in the hospitals, clinics and OPDs intensely involved in the management of the suffering patient. And on the other side is the allied healthcare provider required for healing the patient in a holistic manner. A prescription may take five minutes to be written. But the life of the patient consists of 24 hours in a day. The support for being able to live the rest of the life in the best possible way comes from allied healthcare professionals. However, due to our lifestyles and our silo-thinking, we rarely communicate with each other beyond the boundaries of our intellectual comfort.

The third gap is between the fields of Neuro-Rehabilitation and Neuro-Palliation.
Neuro-Rehabilitation: Neurological rehabilitation (rehab) is a doctor-supervised program designed for people with diseases, injuries, or disorders of the nervous system. Neurological rehab can often improve function, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient. In spite of AI, AR, VR invasion in this field, we still need good team workers from all the above allied healthcare fields.
Neuro-Palliation: Neuropalliative care is a new and growing field within neurology that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with serious neurologic illnesses. The misconception that palliative care is reserved for people who are terminally ill, needs to be revised. Palliation begins from the time of onset of symptoms.
(By definition palliation means easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause. It is a type of: alleviation, easement, easing, relief. It is the act of reducing something unpleasant and distressing)
Neuro-Rehabilitation and Neuropalliative care need not exist in their own silos either. There is a vast overlap in the services provided. The rehab specialist should know about palliative care and vice versa. Very often both are needed together.

Both fields require intense efforts, skills, and effective communication among allied healthcare subspecialties, and also with the clinicians emphasizing complex teamwork.
This conference welcomes students pursuing specializations like Neuro-Psychology, Speech and Language Pathology, Neuro-Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Paramedics, Counseling, Medical Social Work, Yoga trainers, BAMS, BHMS, and MBBS. Working professionals are also encouraged.

Preventive workup is advocated by NICHE Advocacy Foundation. It should begin much before the wear and tear starts in the mind and body. The principles of Resilience and Pre-habilitation should be used for the Mind and Brain.

Message from

Dr. Poornima Gauri 
(Consultant Neurologist, CEO & MD, NICHE Advocacy Foundation)
and Organising Chairperson

Program Details

16 February 2024

Day1

  1. Workshops: 
    • Neuropsychology
    • Effective communication skill 
    • Speech and Language Pathology
  2. Lectures and presentations 
    • Dementia
    • Brain stroke
    • Neuropathy & Pain
17 February 2024

Day2

  1. Workshops: 
    • Botulinum Toxin in stroke 
    • Neuro physiotherapy
    • Speech and Language Pathology
  2.  Lectures and presentations 
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Head Injury
    • Learning Disabilities 
    • Multiple Sclerosis
18 February 2024

Day3

  • Musical Infotainment program:
    Bolava Vithal 
  • Mrityunjay 
  • Public Forum

Know the topics

We have numbers that push us to give in our best and make sure that we break our own records. We are happy to be growing and helping more day by day.
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dementia
  • Brain stroke
  • Head Injury
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Back Pain
  • Neuropathy
  • Neuro-Rehabilitation
  • Neuro-Palliation
  • End of Life Care and Advanced care directives
  • Living Wills

Organizers

With a prestigious 40-year legacy dedicated to fostering world-class academic achievement, MIT-WPU stands as a leading institution of higher learning in India. It’s dedication to innovation enriches its academic environment, equipping students with the creativity and critical thinking essential for tackling future challenges. The university cultivates an inclusive culture marked by dignity, fairness, and respect, molding students into future-ready, responsible global citizens. Emphasizing high-impact experiential learning, fostering a unique academic character that inspires cross-disciplinary research and encourages discoveries with global impact. The core values of the institution revolve around EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY, EMPATHY & COMPASSION, INCLUSION, and INTEGRITY, reflecting a commitment to nurturing individuals who embody these principles in their personal and professional lives.

NICHE Advocacy Foundation is a social profit company working with the vision of Emotional Wellness for all, from Prevention to Palliation. We have a special focus on the youth, encouraging,skill development for personal and community Health. We create impact through our various interventions for the development and refinement of Emotional Wellness skills. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

We have three initiatives, each working from PREVENTION to PALLIATION. SAKSHAM: Empowerment of individuals through Skill development  SAARTHI : To support, guide and provide variety of services for emotional wellness to all SAMVAAD : To create awareness in society for emotional fitness, Brain and Mind Health and Neuro-psychiatric disorders NeuroHarmony is a blend of all three initiatives aiming to create awareness, develop skills in service providers, to inspire the youth to choose careers in Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-palliation.

Organizing committee

Our Patrons
MIT WPU
Hon'ble Dr. Vishwanath Karad

Founder - President, MIT World Peace University, Pune, Bharat

Hon'ble Shri. Rahul V. Karad

Managing Trustee & Executive President - MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions & Executive President, MIT-WPU, Pune, Bharat

Hon. Dr. R. M. Chitnis

Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU, Pune, Bharat

Hon. Dr. Milind Pande

Pro Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU, Pune, Bharat

Dr Sanjay Kamtekar

Chief Academic Officer, MIT-WPU, Pune, Bharat

Dr. Jayant Khandare

Director, School of Consciousness, MIT-WPU, Pune, Bharat

Dr. Snehala Tawde

Educationist, PhD in Educational Psychology, Retd. Principal, Pune

Dr. Tejraj Tawde

Consultant Psychiatrist, Shepparton, Australia

Chandrashekhar Tawde

Director - Commercial & Legal. +30 of Experience in Leading Project Managment and Execution Pune

Organizing Secretary
Dr. Ashwini Gijare

Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor, MSc Clinical Psychology MIT WPU Pune

Organizing Chairperson​
Dr. Poornima Gauri

Consultant Neurologist, Joshi Hospital, Sancheti Hospital, CEO and MD, NICHE Advocacy Foundation, Pune

Organizing Committee
MIT-WPU 
Dr. Neeraj Mahendroo

Convener, Professor & Dean, School of Health Sciences & Technology, MIT- WPU Pune, Bharat

Dr. Ashwin Kuchekar

Associate Dean School of Health Science & Technology, MIT- WPU

Dr. Anup Kale

Associate Dean, School of Sciences & Environmental Studies, MIT-WPU

Dr. Preeti Joshi

Associate Dean, External Relations, School of Liberal Arts, MIT-WPU

Dr. Vanisree Ramanathan

Conference Coordinator & Dept. of Public Health, MIT-WPU

Dr. Mrunmai Godbole

Conference Coordinator & Dept. of Yogic Science & Wellness, MIT-WPU

Dr.Abhijeet S.Sutar

(Program Director-Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Science and Technology, Dr.V.D.Karad MIT World Peace University.

Dr. Archana Ranade (PT)

MPTH Neurology, Consultant Neurophysiotherapist, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Founder, Team Physiotherapy services Pune

Dr. Arvind Panchanadikar

Consultant Psychiatrist Private Clinic at Erandwane, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Pune

Gautam Karajgi

Vice President Electronica Finance, Ltd. Strategic Advisor, NICHE Advocacy Foundation Pune

Dr. Radha Bhattad (PT)

Professor and HOD Neuro Physiotherapy, Sancheti Institute of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation College of Physiotherapy Pune

Sayali Kulkarni Maste

Neuropsychologist CIIMS hospital, Clinic Nagpur

Dr. Srushti Laya Sthapak (PT)

Assistant Professor Department of Neurophysiotherapy Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Pune

Sonal Chitnis

Associate Professor School of Audiology Speech Language Pathology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DU) School of Audiology, Consultant SLP Neurology Dept, Bajaj Allianz Epilepsy Centre Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Pune

Sumedha Kulkarni

Head, CSR Cell, Jnana Prabodhini Advisory Board Member, NICHE Advocacy Foundation Pune

Vaishali Trikannad

Diet Counselor Vaishali’s Nutrihacks Advisory Board Member, NICHE Advocacy Foundation Pune

Event Coordinators
Manasi Parad

+91 9321794863

Manavi Chaturvedi

+91 8827790608

Akshara Phadke

Email us at nicheadvocacyfoundation@gmail.com

Our supporters

IFNR

Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation (IFNR) is a multidisciplinary body which is a registered trust under company act. It is affiliated to WFNR. The Membership is open to any professional with an interest in neurological rehabilitation.The current membership is about 200 & growing. IFNR has been organizing the Annual National Conference in March for the past years. It is the right kind of platform to join in for the cause of the neurologically disabled.

Short term or long term Physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities due to neurological diseases are a huge community burden in terms of morbidity adjusted Life Years (DALY). The irony is that so much can be done, yet is not offered to patients. We health care professionals and social workers owe it to our patients and related families to try to improve their lot by teaming up and enhancing our skills.

Become a member of IFNR – Anyone working in the field of Neurorehabilitation: Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Physiatrist, Orthopedic Surgeon, Psychologists, Speech Pathologists, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Orthotist, Social Worker. You become part of an active thriving community of professionals dedicated to the betterment of persons suffering from neurological disabilities. You automatically become a member of the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation with the following benefits. Biannual issues of the WFNR update newsletter. Reduced registration fees to the WFNR world Congress. Reduced registration fees to selected WFNR regional meetings. Reduced subscription rates to Journal:  Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair

Directors of IFNR-

  1. Dr. Nirmal Surya 
  2. Dr. Abhishek Srivastava 
  3. Dr. Deepak Palande 
  4. Dr. Ashok Johari

Innovation Hub MIT

Innovation Hub(Innovation Council At MIT-WPU) was established in 2022 as a progression from the 2018 “Innovators Hub,” The Innovation Hub is a vibrant community within the college, comprising over 400 members. Dedicated to fostering creativity, it transforms visionary ideas into reality, emphasizing
technical skills, personality development, and collaborative learning.

The core mission revolves around utilizing technology, research, and innovation to address everyday challenges, inspiring students to venture into entrepreneurship. The Innovation Hub offers a range of activities, from project development to seminars and workshops, guided by faculty advisors and mentors.

With events like Launchpad, Connect, RIDE, Hack MIT-WPU, E-Summit, and Mission Neki, the Innovation Hub provides students with industry insights, pushing boundaries, and creating opportunities. Join this collective effort to redefine possibilities and innovate together.

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Know the speakers

Alifia Bharmal

Speech and Language Pathologist,
Thane, Mumbai 

Dr. Archana Ranade (PT)

MPTH Neurology, Consultant Neurophysiotherapist Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Founder, Team Physiotherapy  services, Pune

Dr. Arvind Panchanadikar
Consultant Psychiatrist Private Clinic at Erandwane, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune
Dr. Ashwini Gijare
Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor, MSc Clinical Psychology MIT-WPU, Kothrud, Pune
Dr. Chaitrali Kulkarni

Adult Neuro-Occupational Therapist, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune

Dr. Hemant Sant
Consultant Neurologist Sahyadri Hospital, Deccan Jupiter Hospital, Pune
Dr. Kashinath Bangar
Consultant Pain & Palliative care Physician. Shimmer n Shine, Founder of Pinex Foundation, Pune
Dr. Kaustubh Dindorkar
Consultant Neurosurgeon, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Brain and Spine Surgery Clinic, Karve Road, Pune
Manasi Parad
Paramedic and a Public Health Specialist, Joshi hospital CEO of MindBloom Counseling Services and FirstResponse Health Innovations, Pune
Dr. Mangala Joglekar
Consultant, Memory Clinic,  Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Founder, Alzheimer Support Group, Pune
Meet Nakum
Speech and Language Pathologist Swallowing Therapist BVDU School of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Pune
Dr. Neha Agashe (PT)
MPTh (Neurological and psychosomatic disorder) Director TEAM physiotherapy Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Pune.
Dr. Neha Karandikar (PT)
Senior Neurophysiotheripist Team Physiotherapy services Pune.
Dr. Poornima Gauri
Consultant Neurologist, Joshi Hospital, Sancheti Hospital, CEO and MD, NICHE Advocacy Foundation, Pune
Pushkaraj Marne
B Tech, MBA, CEO and Co-founder, Manastik, Pune
Dr. Radha Bhattad (PT)
Professor and HOD Neuro Physiotherapy, Sancheti Institute of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation College of Physiotherapy Pune
Dr. Rahul Kulkarni
Consultant Neurologist Mastishk Clinic Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune
Adv. Rohit Erande
B.com, LLB and LLM The Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa
Dr. Roop Gursahani
Consultant Neurologist & Epileptologist, P.D.Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai
Sandra Santhosh
Consultant speech language Pathologist at Happy Health clinic And Symbiosis Center of Emotional wellbeing Pune.
Sayali Maste

Neuropsychologist and Counselor, CIIMS hospital,
Private Clinic,
Nagpur

Dr. Shiva Iyer
Professor & Head Dept of Critical Care Medicine, Bhartiya Vidyapeeth Medical college, Pune
Dr. Shripad Pujari
Lead Neurologist, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune. Head, Neurology Dept, Noble Hospital, Pune. Asst Editor of the journal: Annals of IAN
Dr. Shubhi Verma
Consultant Developmental Pediatrician, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post-graduate Institute, Enkindle child development and guidance clinic Indore
Dr. Siddharth Aiyer
Spine Consultant, Sancheti Hospital, Pune
Sonal Chitnis
Associate Professor in Speech Language Pathology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DU) School of Audiology Consultant SLP Neurology Dept, Bajaj Allianz Epilepsy Centre Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. Pune
Soubhik Das
BE (Comp), TEDx Speaker, COO, CTO and Founder, Manastik, Pune
Dr. Vaishnavi Ajjewadiermath (PT)
MPT in Neurological and Psychosomatic disorders. Sancheti Hospital, Pune

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