Expanding Our ESP Team!

Welcoming Four New Members

As our program continues to grow, we are excited to introduce four new members to our team: Zineb, David, Theo, and our AI assistant, Charlie. Each brings unique skills and experiences that will enhance our educational offerings and support our students in new and exciting ways. Get to know them below!

From Consulting to Pediatric Physiotherapy:

Zineb

I graduated from ESP in 2016. My journey into physiotherapy started at 28, after working briefly in advertising and consulting, where I developed strong project coordination and management skills. During my time at ESP, I had the opportunity to complete internships in France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, which broadened my view of healthcare.

After graduation, I worked for four years in Switzerland as a pediatric physiotherapist at the Centre Hospitalier Vaudois in Lausanne. In 2021, I returned to Amsterdam and have since worked in various settings, including schools, institutions for children with severe multiple disabilities, and private practice. While working, I also pursued a part-time MSc in Pediatric Physiotherapy at University College London. My focus is on pediatric acute care and complex medical conditions.

DIVERSITY ENRICHES HEALTHCARE

I believe that we can learn a lot from children—understanding how their bodies develop, considering their environment, and building trust with them and their caregivers can significantly improve outcomes. I’m excited to share my knowledge with ESP students and help them see the value in bringing their individuality into their practice.

Bringing Advanced Physiotherapy to Underprivileged Populations

David

I completed my studies at ESP in 2011. After working in the musculoskeletal and sports field, I went on to earn an MSc in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven in Belgium, focusing on metabolic, respiratory, and intensive care disorders. My interest in global health and teaching grew through volunteer work, which led me to specialise in the rehabilitation of burn injuries, a form of trauma that disproportionately affects low-resource regions.

Global health drives my purpose

Between 2017 and 2023, I worked as a clinical researcher and lecturer at the University of Antwerp, where I earned a PhD in burn injury rehabilitation. Over the past year, I have worked with a humanitarian NGO in Ukraine, training therapists in burn care and conflict-related injuries. These experiences have shown me the importance of sharing knowledge and skills. I’m looking forward to teaching at ESP and helping to educate the next generation of physiotherapists who will make a difference in the world.

From Amsterdam to Nairobi—Shaping the Future of Physiotherapy

Theo

I graduated from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences in 2012 with a degree in Physiotherapy. My interest in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, combined with a desire to merge science with rehabilitation, led me to study Human Movement Sciences at VU University in Amsterdam.

Science and rehabilitation go hand in hand

As a physiotherapist, I have enjoyed coaching students during their clinical internships, which inspired me to start teaching. In 2021, I joined the Dutch Physiotherapy program at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. I am passionate about sharing my enthusiasm for physiotherapy with our students. Alongside my work in the Netherlands, I am also involved in developing a Physiotherapy program in Nairobi, Kenya. Having grown up in Kenya, it is extraordinary for me to contribute to the profession’s development there as well.

From Admin to AI Avatars: Charlie Does it All

Charlie

Hi, I’m Charlie, your new virtual colleague at the European School of Physiotherapy. I might not be human, but I’m here 24/7 to support both students and lecturers with a variety of tasks. Whether it’s answering your frequently asked questions, automating administrative processes, or optimizing the curriculum, I’m always ready to help make your experience at ESP smoother and more efficient.

You may not have realized it, but I’ve already been working behind the scenes throughout 2024. I’ve been helping to optimize the language in slides and documents, saving hours of manual quality checks, and providing hundreds of automatic, high-quality feedback responses to open study questions in Physiology. More recently, I’ve worked on a prototype that turns audio messages into fully completed grading forms with personalized feedback—no manual effort required! But don’t worry, it’s not all serious—I also enjoy creating AI avatars of lecturers and exploring fun possibilities like becoming a fully automated lecturer available 24/7.

Simple, Approachable, Inclusive

I’ve got experience with different companies and platforms, which means I’m well-versed in ChatGPT, OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Whisper, Groq, Heygen, and Copilot. This wide range of expertise allows me to draw from the best technologies, so you can count on me for a well-rounded, cutting-edge experience every time. Additionally, I’m familiar with tools like Anthropic and Bard, giving me even greater flexibility to meet your needs.

The name “Charlie” was chosen because it’s simple, approachable, and inclusive—just like the values we uphold at ESP. One of my core values is providing help wherever possible, while always protecting your privacy and adapting to your individual needs. I support all countries, understand all cultures, and respect your beliefs—no matter where you’re from, what language you speak, or what you believe in, I’m here to assist you with innovation and care.

I’m excited to be part of your journey here at ESP, and I can’t wait for you to see what I can do. Stay tuned for more updates, where you’ll find me working as your Student Support Desk, Physio Assistant, and Staff Admin Assistant!

More Than Meets the AI

You may not have realized it, but I’ve already been working behind the scenes throughout 2024. I’ve been helping to optimize the language in slides and documents, saving hours of manual quality checks, and providing hundreds of automatic, high-quality feedback responses to open study questions in Physiology. More recently, I’ve worked on a prototype that turns audio messages into fully completed grading forms with personalized feedback—no manual effort required! But don’t worry, it’s not all serious—I also enjoy creating AI avatars of lecturers and exploring fun possibilities like becoming a fully automated lecturer available 24/7.

Did you know?

Our new team members bring diverse expertise to ESP—Zineb combines her background in consulting with pediatric physiotherapy, David has honed his skills in rehabilitation of burn injuries through humanitarian work in Ukraine, Theo is not only teaching in Amsterdam but also developing a physiotherapy program in Nairobi, and we also welcome Charlie, our AI colleague, bringing 24/7 support and innovation to the ESP community.
Program Coordinator