Fiona Kritzinger

Fiona Kritzinger obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and  Master of Medicine from Stellenbosch University (SU). She is a recipient of the Chancellor’s (SU 1999) and the Robert McDonald medals (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa 2006). She completed a fellowship in paediatric respirology and lung transplantation at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) between 2008 and 2009. Her commitment to the care of patients with complex respiratory needs in South Africa was acknowledged with a Rare Diamond award in 2018. She joined the Division of Respiratory Medicine in 2022 as the director of the primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease clinics. As a passionate clinician, she is committed to improving patient experience and clinical outcomes. Her research interests arise from her clinical focus.

Research

Her research is focused on the understanding of genetic causes of bronchiectasis in children, with a specific focus on PCD. This includes the ear, nose and throat manifestations of PCD as well as the optimal treatment of Pseudomonas infection in patients with PCD.

Education and experience

• 2010–Present: Paediatric Pulmonologist, Registered Independent Practice, Health Professionals Council of South Africa
• 2007–2010: Certificate in Paediatric Pulmonology, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
• 2009: Observership Infant Lung Transplantation Program, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, Missouri, USA
• 2009: Fellowship in Paediatric Lung Transplantation, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Paediatrics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 2008–2009: Fellowship in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Paediatrics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 2006–2008: Subspecialty training in Paediatric Pulmonology, Tygerberg Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
• 2003–2006: Fellow of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
• 2003–2006: Master of Medicine (cum laude), Paediatric Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
• 1993: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Cum Laude), Faculty of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Achievements

• 2018: Rare Diamond Award, Rare Diseases Foundation of South Africa, South Africa
• 2008, 2009: International Postgraduate Studies Scholarship Award, Skye Foundation, South Africa
• 2006: Robert McDonald Medal, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, South Africa
• 2005: Best Oral Presentation, Annual Academic Year Day, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa
• 1999: Stellenbosch University Full Academic Colours (awarded for annual cum laude aggregate during pre-graduate studies), Stellenbosch University, South Africa
• 1999: Tygerberg Medical Faculty Medal, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
• 1999: Chancellor's Medal, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
• 1994: Annual Recipient of the Open Scholarship for Graduate Studies, Anglo American Corporation, South Africa

1. Duong M, Amin R, Baatjes AJ, Kritzinger F, Qi Y, Meghji Z, Lou W, Grasemann H, O'Byrne PM, Subbarao P. The effect of montelukast, budesonide alone, and in combination on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 Aug;130(2):535-9.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.051. Epub 2012 Apr 24. PMID: 22534533. Impact factor 14.1. SRA.
2. Grasemann H, Kritzinger F, Dipchand A, Hebert D, Solomon M. Nasal nitric oxide is reduced in children after solid-organ transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2011 Jan;30(1):108-9. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2010.08.022. Epub 2010 Oct 8. PMID: 20934886. Impact Factor 10.25. Coll.
3. Kritzinger FE, Al-Saleh S, Narang I. Descriptive analysis of central sleep apnea in childhood at a single center. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011 Oct;46(10):1023-30. doi: 10.1002/ppul.21469. Epub 2011 Apr 25. PMID: 21520440. Impact factor 2.81. PA.