Meet Maria – Hydrotherapist, Educator, and Innovator
Maria is a passionate and experienced hydrotherapist who has spent over 20 years helping people heal and move better through water. Born in South Africa to Greek parents, she’s a pioneer in the field of aquatic therapy and the founder of Geron Hydrotherapy—a unique approach that’s changing how we treat pain and movement challenges.

Her techniques, developed for both pain conditions and sports injuries, combine active and passive methods that are now widely used by healthcare professionals. Maria’s work has been recognised by leading doctors, researchers, and wellness experts for its effectiveness and innovation.

For 10 years, Maria led the Hydrotherapy Program at the Sports Medicine Centre of the Morningside Medi Clinic in Sandton, a premier multi-disciplinary sports medicine facility serving both professional athletes and the general public. Under the leadership of Prof Jon Patricios, the centre provided rehabilitation and recovery for many of South Africa’s national and professional sports teams.

In 2018, Maria opened a state-of-the art hydrotherapy facility in Sandton, offering patients access to both a cutting-edge therapeutic environment and world-class techniques to ensure optimal outcomes. At the heart of everything she does is one priority: exceptional patient care.

Maria now teaches for Wits University and the Geron Institute. She has presented at leading global conferences and institutions including the University of Johannesburg, Wits University, the Geron Institute, the Chevrah Kadisha,and the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Oxford,.

Geron Hydrotherapy is currently being studied in academic research.