SUSAN PEARCE, DEPUTY SECRETARY, NSW MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Susan is currently the Deputy Secretary for System Purchasing and Performance. Prior to taking her position as Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Susan was the Director of Operations at Northern Sydney Local Health District where she managed a large portfolio, including acute health services, mental health, public health and health promotion units, workforce, training and education and Aboriginal health.

Susan also has extensive experience in both nursing and broader health workforce positions, having held the position in both nursing and broader health workforce positions, having held the position of Director of Workforce in the former Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service.

Susan has practised in a variety of settings, including as a nurse manager, a clinical Nurse Specialist in intensive and coronary care and as the manager of a project to implement the first nurse practitioner services in rural and remote NSW.

MICHAEL DI RIENZO, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HUNTER NEW ENGLAND LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

Mr Michael DiRienzo, Chief Executive of Hunter New England Local Health District Mr Michael DiRienzo is Chief Executive of Hunter New England Local Health District, and is responsible for all health services across more than 120 health facilities from major tertiary referral hospitals to rural community health centres. With 17,000 staff and an expenditure budget in excess of $2 billion per annum, Hunter New England Health provides services to a community of more than 900,000 people across an area of 130,000 square kilometres.

Following an 18-year career in Finance, Supply and logistics in the manufacturing industry, Mr DiRienzo joined Health in 1999. He has since held various Executive Director positions throughout the Health Service. He was appointed to Chief Executive in 2011.

Mr DiRienzo is a Board Director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

As Chief Executive of Hunter New England Health, Mr DiRienzo has led the implementation of a range of initiatives that support staff to put patients at the centre of everything they do, provide patient-centred care and build a positive workplace culture.

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR ANNETTE SOLMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Annette is one of NSW’s most senior health leaders with significant experience in health management, nursing, inter-professional education, culture change, leadership development, quality improvement and research. She commenced as Chief Executive in June 2015.

Initially trained as a registered nurse, Annette has had a rich and diverse career across many roles and functions in health. She is particularly interested in person-centered care and its application in educational program design to enhance workforce practices.

Annette is focused on strengthening relationships between HETI and our health and academic partners to lead innovative and contemporary education and training.

Annette has published in a range of journals, including Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing. She is also a member of the International Practice Development Journal Editorial Board.

Annette holds a Masters in Research, Nursing and a Bachelor of Health Science, and is Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney.

EMERITUS PROFESSOR PAUL WORLEY, NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER

Emeritus Professor Paul Worley was appointed as Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner on 11 November 2017.

Professor Worley has had a distinguished career in rural health, both as a practitioner and an academic. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1984 and has worked as a Rural Generalist in rural South Australia; first at Lameroo, and then in Clare, Barmera and currently at Yankalilla. He lives in South Australia with his wife, and has seven children (including three children in-law) and five grandchildren.

From 2007 - 2017 he was Dean of Medicine at Flinders University in South Australia, where he established Rural Clinical Schools and University Departments of Rural Health in both South Australia and the Northern Territory and guided the conceptualisation and development of the Northern Territory Medical Program with a clear focus on recruiting and supporting Indigenous students and staff. While at Flinders University, Professor Worley developed and nurtured programs which are now recognised globally as models for the establishment of rural medical, nursing and allied health education.

Professor Worley has long been a leading figure internationally in the rural health and medical education sectors, has held senior positions in the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, was instrumental in establishing rural Divisions of General Practice across South Australia, has served as a Board Director for the Adelaide PHN and for AGPT Regional Training Organisations in the Northern Territory and South Australia, is Editor in Chief of the international journal, Rural and Remote Health, and is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

As National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Worley is passionate about quality, equity and fairness for all, especially the underserved. Australia’s rural and remote communities and the health professionals who serve them, deserve an evidence-based, sustainable, cost-effective and well supported rural health system, designed by rural clinicians, grown in rural regions, and serving all who live across our vast land. We must have the right health professionals delivering the right care, in the right place at the right time.

DR CHANAKA WIJERATNE, SCHOOL OF PSYCHIATRY, UNIVERISTY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Dr Wijeratne studied medicine at UNSW. He trained in psychiatry at Concord Hospital, Sydney, and in old age psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, London. He then completed a post-graduate research degree in chronic fatigue.

He is currently a Senior Staff Specialist at Prince of Wales Hospital, an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Sydney School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, and also works in private practice. He has over 50 peer reviewed publications. His clinical interests include the management of severe mood disorders, cognitive disorders, Parkinson’s disease and domestic violence presenting in older age. He was a former board member of Capacity Australia and has special expertise in the assessment of testamentary capacity.

His interest in doctors’ health arose from his work as a consultant to the Health Programme of the Medical Council of NSW where he has assessed many medical students and doctors across the career cycle. He has written a chapter on doctors’ fitness to practice in the textbook, Capacity and the Law, and also led studies of successful ageing and retirement planning in older doctors.

He is currently the chief investigator of a study examining whether online educational modules can improve retirement planning in general practitioners.
                       

CONJOINT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KELVIN KONG

Kelvin qualified as the first Aboriginal Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), specializing in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

DR BEN BRAVERY, WESTERN SYDNEY

Dr Ben Bravery is a junior doctor in western Sydney. He was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer at the age of 28, an experience that inspired him to change careers from zoology and science communication, to medicine.

During treatment, Ben started blogging about the science of cancer and his journey. As a patient-turned-doctor, he now writes and speaks about patient advocacy and the cancer experience for outlets including the ABC, The Huffington Post, Medical Observer, Medical Journal of Australia and BMJ Medical Humanities. Ben has also advised multiple cancer organisations, researchers and a primary health network.

Recent research includes an assessment of radiation oncology teaching at medical schools across Australia and New Zealand, a review into research on depressed people with cancer and exploration of how general practitioners diagnose psychiatric conditions in people with cancer.

DR JEAN-FREDERIC LEVESQUE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NSW AGENCY FOR CLINICAL INNOVATION 

Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque joined the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation as Chief Executive in June 2017. He was previously Chief Executive of the Bureau of Health Information for four years.

Dr Levesque brings to the ACI leadership in healthcare system analysis and improvement, combining experience in clinical practice in refugee health and tropical medicine, in clinical governance and in academic research. He is a member of the Strategic Analytic Advisory Committee of the Canadian Institute of Health Information and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in Preventive Medicine and Public Health. He has held senior positions responsible for publicly reporting information about the Canadian health system at the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec and the Commissaire a la santé et au bien-etre du Québec.

Dr Levesque has a Doctorate in Public Health, a Masters in Community Health and a medical degree from the Université de Montréal, Canada. He is a Conjoint Professor at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity of the University of New South Wales. His research focuses on how different models of care impact on patient outcomes and experiences of care.

DEBORAH RUSSELL, ADJUNCT SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW, MONASH UNIVERSITY

Deb Russell is a Senior Research Fellow at Flinders Northern Territory (College of Medicine and Public Health) in a remote and rural workforce research and evaluation role.

Deb is a medical epidemiologist whose specific academic interests include rural and remote health services research (models of care, understanding and measuring access to health care) and health workforce supply, distribution, recruitment and retention.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR RICHARD WALSH


Dr Walsh is a Cardiothoracic Anaesthetist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Adjunct Associate Professor of Anaesthetics at the University of Sydney, and Clinical Associate Professor at Macquarie University. His special professional interests are anaesthesia for cardiac and thoracic anaesthesia, evidence-based medicine and medical regulation.

Dr Walsh has been an Officer in the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, President of the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, President of the 1996 World Congress of Anaesthesiologists in Sydney, and Treasurer of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists.

He has served on the various Committees of the NSW Medical Board and the Medical Council of NSW since 2002, and he is currently President of the Medical Council.

DR ANITA GREEN


Dr Anita Green works at the University of Queensland Health Service as a General Practitioner, is a Visiting Medical Officer in the Cardiology Department at The Prince Charles Hospital and was Chief Medical Officer for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Anita is an experienced medical educator, with an appointment as a part-time Senior Lecturer for the Sports Medicine Programs, in the University of Queensland School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences.

She has 25 years’ experience on Not-for-profit Boards in the Health sector and is currently a Director of Cancer Council Australia, Deputy Chair of Cancer Council Queensland and Chair of the Brisbane North Primary Health Network.

She is passionate about increasing the evidence-based prescription of exercise for both the prevention and treatment of chronic disease.

LAUREATE PROFESSOR NICHOLAS TALLEY AC, PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR, GLOBAL RESEARCH

Professor Talley is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is an expert clinician, educator and researcher, with extensive experience as a leader in the medical and University sectors. He previously held an appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor (and Dean) of the Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle from 2010-2015, and was seconded to be the Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Research (Acting) at the University of Newcastle from June 2013 to March 2014.

Professor Talley is a neurogastroenterologist, has published over 1000 papers in the peer-reviewed literature, and is considered one of the world’s most influential clinician-researchers (H index 130, Scopus 2018). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Journal of Australia (since 2015). He is also a leading medical educator and the author of the highly regarded textbooks Clinical Examination and Examination Medicine. In June 2014, Professor Talley was inaugurated as one of the first 15 Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS) and was elected to the Executive of the Academy.

On Australia Day 2018, Professor Talley was honoured with the Companion of the Order of Australia for “For eminent service to medical research, and to education in the field of gastroenterology and epidemiology, as an academic, author and administrator at the national and international level, and to health and scientific associations.”

DR IAN SCOTT, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY QUEENSLAND & MONASH UNIVERSITY

Dr Ian Scott is consultant general physician and Director of Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. He is Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Queensland and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Monash University.

He currently co-chairs the Queensland Statewide General Medicine Clinical Network, is the inaugural chair of the Australian Deprescribing Network, and is a member of Queensland Policy and Advisory Committee on new Technology (QPACT). He also sits on committees of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care, and the MBS Review Taskforce for Cardiac Services.

He has research interests in health services evaluation and improvement, clinical guidelines, clinical decision-making, evidence-based medicine and quality use of medicines.

He has published over 220 peer-reviewed articles and is a recipient of several NHMRC and government research grants.

CARRIE MARR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CLINICAL EXCELLENCE COMMISSION, NSW

Carrie is the Chief Executive of the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC). The CEC provides leadership in safety and quality to improve outcomes for patients. Since its establishment in 2004, the CEC has gained local, national and international recognition by developing and driving improvement initiatives in collaboration with consumers, clinicians, managers, and other health service partners.

Trained originally as a nurse, she has 37 years experience in healthcare, including oncology, end of life care, organisational development, patient safety and quality improvement.

Born and raised in Scotland, Carrie has worked extensively across the UK and Europe and is now in her fourth year in Australia – a place she now calls home, given the very mild winters!!

Carrie is on a mission to help all of us ignite our passion for safe and reliable care.

NICKY BATH


Nicky Bath is currently the Executive Director of the National LGBTI Health Alliance the national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people (LGBTI) and other sexuality, gender, and bodily diverse people and communities.

Nicky has worked in the NSW Ministry of Health as the Manager of the Harm Reduction and Viral Hepatitis Branch as well as several senior positions at ACON, NSW’s leading LGBTI health organisation, State and Territory drug user organisations and the National Health Service (UK).

Nicky is committed to advancing the health and human rights of marginalised communities.

DR BHAVI RAVINDRAN, MEMBER OF AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL COUNCIL

Dr Bhavi Ravindran is a Junior Medical Officer within the Hunter New England Local Health District. He completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) at the University of Newcastle in 2018.

Bhavi is currently a council member of the Australian Medical Council, the body responsible for the accreditation of medical schools, prevocational training and post-graduate training, and a member of the Medical Schools Accreditation Committee. He has previously served three terms as the student representative on the University of Newcastle Council as well as on the Strategic Development and Finance committees.

Bhavi was also active in medical student representation with a term in 2018 as the Vice-President of the University of Newcastle Medical Society, where he advocated for the interest of over 750 medical students across the Central Coast, Hunter and New England Region. In 2015 and 2016 he served as executive director of the Australian Medical Student’s Association, where he oversaw the strategic direction and governance of a large national representative organisation that engages with over 17,000 medical student members.

At the start of 2018, Bhavi travelled to Manila to complete an internship with the World Health Organisation in the field of HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

HANNAH COLEMAN

Hannah is a current RMO at the John Hunter Hospital and President of the Hunter Resident Medical Officers' Association.

Hannah started working life as a professional ballerina, training and working in Boston USA and Alberta Canada. In 2010 she returned to NZ to begin a medical science and statistics degree at Auckland University. In 2012 Hannah accepted an offer from the University of Newcastle for a Bachelor of Medicine. The last 2 years she spent completing her internship in the HNE network, running a couple of off-road marathons and working on various culture building events and wellbeing initiatives for the Hunter New England area.

Throughout the 2018 clinical year Hannah was elected by her peers to be the HRMOA President. This role gave her an insight into the complex meshwork of the hospital system and how junior doctor life sits within it. It has enabled her to directly impact JMO mental health support and awareness, have a role in JMO education, to co-ordinate NAIDOC week events to help Close the Gap in our community and to serve our Newcastle homeless population.

Hannah is looking forward to commencing the Critical Care SRMO position at the John Hunter Hospital in 2019. )

CONJOINT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DAVID B WILLIAMS

David Williams is Director of Neurology and Deputy Chairman of the Division of Medicine at John Hunter Hospital, as well as Co-Chairman of the John Hunter Hospital and Royal Newcastle Hospital Medical Staff Council.

He is a Conjoint Associate Professor at UON, and Senior National Examiner of the RACP. He has particular interests in late-onset neurodegenerative disorders (MND and HD), as well as MS, cognitive neuroscience, and medical education. He is a graduate of Sydney University, and was a Fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MICHAEL BOYLE, MEDICAL DIRECTOR, MEDICAL & INTERVENTIONAL SERVICES, JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL

Associate Professor Michael Boyle is the Medical Director of the Medical & Interventional Services at John Hunter Hospital.

He originally trained at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney in Immunology and HIV medicine. After his specialist training he completed a Doctor of Medicine in HIV associated malignant disease and did further study at the national Institute of Health in Washington DC.

He returned to work in John Hunter Hospital in 1994 in HIV, Immunology and General Medicine.

His research interests include allergic disease, autoimmunity and HIV infection.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR POOSHAN NAVATHE, DMS MAITLAND HOSPITAL

Associate Professor Pooshan Navathe is and has been a practising clinician specialising in occupational and aviation medicine for many years, and is internationally respected as a thought leader in evidence based aeromedical decision making.

He continues to maintain his clinical currency, even as he works as the Director Medical Services for the Maitland and Lower Hunter Hospitals . He describes his role as that of a Senior Staff Specialist in safety, quality, and system integrity, and he brings to his role over two decades of safety and quality experience from the aviation industry, and his current assignment as a Wing Commander in the RAAF specialist reserve.

Pooshan’s special interests are safety and governance, the education and mentoring of health professionals, implementing change, and enabling colleagues to attain professional excellence in their practice.

GEORGIE HAYSOM, HEAD OF RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY - AVANT

Georgie Haysom is the Head of Research, Education and Advocacy at medical defence organisation Avant. She has worked in health law for almost 25 years, assisting and advising doctors on a wide range of medico-legal issues, including several years representing doctors in medical negligence litigation. She has a long-standing interest in the interaction between law, medicine and ethics, and the way in which the law impacts on medical practice. She has a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacology), Bachelor of Laws (Hons 1) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Laws specialising in bioethics from McGill University. 

DR JOHN SAMMUT

MR CRAIG SHIELDS, SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Craig initially trained as a radiographer and has spent much of his professional life in rural NSW, working in both clinical and management roles.Prior to joining HETI, Craig was the Director of Medical Imaging and BreastScreen across the former Greater Western Area Health Service.

Craig commenced with the NSW Rural Generalist Medical Training Program in 2012.He is located in Orange where he lives with his wife and two daughters.