GP Refresh Brisbane
Keynote Speakers
Dr Bruce Willett
Ex. RACGP QLD Chairman
Dr Nicole Higgins
Ex RACGP President
Dr Bruce Willett
Ex. RACGP QLD Chairman
Dr Nicole Higgins
Ex RACGP President
Dr Bruce Willett has over three decades of experience in general practice, combining personalised patient care with transformative leadership across the Australian healthcare sector. He has been a general practitioner since 1989 and was a successful practice owner, having established his first practice in Thorneside with his wife Gertrude in 1992 and later building Victoria Point Surgery in Brisbane’s south into a thriving business.
Bruce’s leadership extends far beyond clinical practice through his distinguished service with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). He served as RACGP Vice President from July 2020 until November 2023 and was Queensland Faculty Chair from October 2016 until November 2023. His advocacy work has been instrumental in shaping general practice policy, including leading successful negotiations for payroll tax exemptions in Queensland and guiding the transition of GP training programmes back to the RACGP.
As Chair of General Practice Supervisors Australia (GPSA), Bruce demonstrated his commitment to medical education and supporting the next generation of GPs. He has been an RACGP examiner since 1994 and continues as a GP supervisor, training registrars. His educational leadership include establishing the GPs@Parliament programme in Queensland, which has been replicated across Australia.
Bruce played a pivotal role in the RACGP’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with Queensland Health to develop policies and guidelines during the early stages of the crisis. His advocacy efforts have focused on addressing the underfunding of Medicare, maintaining fee-for-service as the mainstay of healthcare funding, and the role of general practice as the most cost-effective part of the healthcare system.
Recently, Bruce received the Rose-Hunt Award, the RACGP’s highest accolade, recognising his significant contributions to general practice advocacy and education. The award acknowledged his role in galvanising opposition to proposed payroll tax changes affecting general practice and his leadership through the transition of training back to the colleges and during challenging periods for the profession.
Hobbies include writing bios in the third person, beetle fighting, competitive duck herding, and making up hobbies to make himself sound more interesting than he really is.
COI-Bruce
Dr Nicole Higgins is the former President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and a highly respected leader in Australian general practice. With a career spanning over two decades, she represents the depth and diversity of the profession combining her roles as a practising GP, business owner, medical educator, mentor, and advocate for sustainable primary care.
Based in Mackay, Queensland, Dr Higgins runs her own general practice while actively contributing to health system improvement and workforce development. She is passionate about strengthening general practice through education, leadership, and innovation. Having previously worked with Tropical Medical Training and the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS), she has guided and mentored countless GP trainees, supporting the next generation of rural and regional doctors.
Dr Higgins also served as Chair of GP Supervisors Australia (GPSA) and has held directorships since the early days of the Divisions of General Practice through to the Primary Health Networks (PHNs). Her work has been recognised for entrepreneurship, innovation, and her dedication to improving healthcare delivery in both urban and remote settings.
A strong advocate for workforce sustainability and GP wellbeing, Dr Higgins has been at the forefront of initiatives that address practitioner burnout, rural workforce shortages, and the challenges of modern primary care. She frequently collaborates with industry bodies, training organisations, and government agencies to shape policies that support equitable healthcare access across Australia.
Beyond her professional commitments, Dr Higgins is known for her pragmatic leadership style and her ability to connect policy with real-world clinical experience. As a working parent, she brings authenticity and balance to her advocacy, highlighting the human side of medicine and the need for systemic support for healthcare professionals.
Through her clinical practice, teaching, and leadership, Dr Nicole Higgins continues to champion the vital role of GPs in Australia’s healthcare system — advocating for high-quality patient care, professional support, and the advancement of general practice as the cornerstone of community health.
Dr Justin Coleman is a GP-writer who looks sceptically at health interventions where the evidence suggests they might not actually be worthwhile. This is part of his broader interest in the public health concept of equity – fair access to primary health care for everyone.
Despite earnest intentions, he frequently breaks out into lighter reflections on GP practice, with its quirks and oddities – often discovering the oddest person in the room is him!
Justin works in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin.
Medical editing:
Justin is co-editor of Australia’s largest-selling medical textbook, Murtagh’s General Practice (7th edition and forthcoming 8th edition) and also co-editor of Murtagh’s Practice Tips.
Justin was Editor of the Diabetes Management Journal from 2018-20 and remains on its Editorial Board. He runs editing and writing workshops for medical writers and medical workshops for doctors in his spare time.
He has edited over a million words for medical publication. He peer reviews for the BMJ, MJA and AFP medical journals, all of which have also published his research articles. He edits websites, including the National Heart Foundation and the Inala Indigenous Health Service.
Medical writing: Justin has been a freelance medical writer since 1996 and President of the Australasian Medical Writers Association (AMWA) from 2010-15. His freelance writing CV is found at AMWA.
He has published around 1500 articles in around 40 Australian and international newspapers, magazines and journals. He has authored six book chapters and four regular newspaper columns. He has won various awards for his medical writing and for his fictional short stories and a play.
Justin initiated and wrote the weekly GP Tips column in Medical Observer for its entire 13 years (1998-2011), wrote a twice weekly medical news column for GPs, still writes a monthly humorous column (six years so far). He writes and reviews GPlearning modules for the National Asthma Council Australia, and writes the Diabetes chapter in each update of the National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
TV, radio: Justin has featured on a number of TV shows, including the ABC’s 7.30 report and Channel 7’s Tonight. An example of an extended interview is on Starts at 60. He does a regular weekly medical talkback radio gig with the Novos and has been interviewed on radio around a hundred times around his medical areas of expertise. As a younger man (pre-medicine) he acted on TV, including two very forgettable episodes of Neighbours!
Educator:
Qualifications: In addition to his medical degree (Uni of Melbourne, 1992) and, Justin has completed a Masters in Public Health (Uni of Qld, 2009, first class honors) and a Writing and Editing course (Uni of Qld 2009, first class honors). Justin is a senior lecturer at both University of Queensland and Griffith University, and was an inaugural member of the Qld Health Clinical Senate. He assesses UQ and Griffith medical students and also clinically assesses Overseas-Trained Doctors for the NT Medical Board.
Talks, presentations: Justin is invited to give perhaps 20 talks and presentations each year. He is interviewed by print and radio journalists a few times each month. So far, his record is featuring in four articles in the one edition of MJA Insight (2 March 2015). Talks in 2016 include; RDAV16, RDAQ16, GP16, Allied Health Leadership Forum, UQ School of Pharmacy, Logan Hospital Grand Round, RACMA, Choosing Wisely Australia, GPRA16 (Future of General Practice) and Therapeutic Goods Advertising seminar.
Ex. RACGP Vice-President
Advisory & Scientific Committee Member GP Refresh
Dr Bruce Willett has over three decades of experience in general practice, combining personalised patient care with transformative leadership across the Australian healthcare sector. He has been a general practitioner since 1989 and was a successful practice owner, having established his first practice in Thorneside with his wife Gertrude in 1992 and later building Victoria Point Surgery in Brisbane’s south into a thriving business.
Bruce’s leadership extends far beyond clinical practice through his distinguished service with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). He served as RACGP Vice President from July 2020 until November 2023 and was Queensland Faculty Chair from October 2016 until November 2023. His advocacy work has been instrumental in shaping general practice policy, including leading successful negotiations for payroll tax exemptions in Queensland and guiding the transition of GP training programmes back to the RACGP.
As Chair of General Practice Supervisors Australia (GPSA), Bruce demonstrated his commitment to medical education and supporting the next generation of GPs. He has been an RACGP examiner since 1994 and continues as a GP supervisor, training registrars. His educational leadership include establishing the GPs@Parliament programme in Queensland, which has been replicated across Australia.
Bruce played a pivotal role in the RACGP’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with Queensland Health to develop policies and guidelines during the early stages of the crisis. His advocacy efforts have focused on addressing the underfunding of Medicare, maintaining fee-for-service as the mainstay of healthcare funding, and the role of general practice as the most cost-effective part of the healthcare system.
Recently, Bruce received the Rose-Hunt Award, the RACGP’s highest accolade, recognising his significant contributions to general practice advocacy and education. The award acknowledged his role in galvanising opposition to proposed payroll tax changes affecting general practice and his leadership through the transition of training back to the colleges and during challenging periods for the profession.
Hobbies include writing bios in the third person, beetle fighting, competitive duck herding, and making up hobbies to make himself sound more interesting than he really is.
COI-Bruce
Scientific Committee Member GP Refresh
Dr Catherine Eltringham is a GP on Wadawurrung country in Geelong, Victoria. Since fellowship in 2013, she has balanced clinical practice with various roles in education including University, and postgraduate settings. Most recently Catherine has taken the role of National Clinical Lead for Medical Educator Professional Development and is proud to be working on a curriculum for GP medical educators. Previously to this role she was facilitating Supervisor and Medical Educator Professional Development in Victoria and developing educational content for private GP CPD provider Medcast.
When not working as a GP Medical Educator, Catherine volunteers as a fire fighter for the local CFA.
Dr Ian Kamerman is an experienced General Practitioner based in Tamworth, New South Wales, with over 35 years of experience in rural medicine. He is a practice principal at Northwest Health and is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare to individuals and families across the region.
Dr Kamerman has a strong interest in supporting the sustainability of rural healthcare and is actively involved in the education and mentoring of medical students and junior doctors. Alongside his clinical work, he has contributed to a number ofleadership and advisory roles within the medical community, advocating for improved access to quality healthcare services in rural and regional Australia.
Dr Prakash Appanna is a Gold Coast GP with over 30 years of experience as a GP and who completed his medical training in South Africa before obtaining Fellowships from both the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Dr Appanna also holds advanced training in Sports Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Skin Cancer Surgery. Dr Appanna has been dedicated to education having been a Registrar Teacher and Medical Student Teacher in both New Zealand and Australia.
In addition he has been a Fellowship Assessor for the RNZCGP and an Examiner for the RACGP. He has served on both the Auckland Faculty Board and the Queensland Faculty Board of the RNZCGP and RACGP respectively.
He helped set up the inaugural General Practice Owners National Conference and chaired the second conference. Dr Appanna founded the General Practice Owners Facebook group. He has also established General Practice Clinics in New Zealand and Australia.
COI-Besins
Dr Kodsi is a cardiologist with subspecialty expertise in advanced cardiac imaging. He graduated with an MBBS degree from Bond University, receiving the Dean’s awards for academic excellence throughout his final three years.
He undertook Basic Physician Training at Westmead Hospital, where he achieved the highest possible score in the RACP Divisional Clinical Examination Long Cases. Dr Kodsi subsequently completed Cardiology Advanced Training at Westmead Hospital and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2024.
Following his specialist training, he completed a dedicated Advanced Cardiac Imaging Fellowship at Westmead Hospital, gaining advanced expertise in transthoracic echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), stress echocardiography, and cardiac CT. Dr Kodsi holds Level B accreditation in CT coronary angiography through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), reflecting advanced training in cardiac CT imaging.
Dr Kodsi is experienced in all aspects of general cardiology, including echocardiography, exercise stress echocardiography and Holter monitors.
He has a particular interest in heart failure, valvular heart disease, and using detailed heart imaging to help diagnose conditions early and guide the best treatment plans. Dr Kodsi is committed to providing clear explanations, compassionate care, and evidence-based treatment for every patient.
Dr Pradeep Kakkadasam Ramaswamy is an experienced gastroenterologist with more than 10 years of clinical expertise. He trained in India before undertaking further specialist training in Europe, including advanced fellowships in Amsterdam and Milan.
Since moving to Australia, Dr Ramaswamy has worked at Gold Coast University Hospital, where he is a Staff Specialist and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He is actively involved in teaching, research and international collaborations, and has published and presented his work widely.
Clinical interests
Inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease
Liver disease and reflux disorders
Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and polypectomy
Intestinal ultrasound, including leadership of the first dedicated service on the Gold Coast
Dr Shunil Sharma trained in rheumatology in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Cambridge, United Kingdom, where he was a Dorothy Eden Fellow.
He is a former President of the Queensland branch of the Australian Rheumatology Association and has also served as a national council member of the Australian Rheumatology Association.
Dr Sharma has practised as a consultant rheumatologist on the Gold Coast since 1997.
Dr Rohit Bansal is a Consultant Geriatrician based at John Flynn Private Hospital on the Gold Coast. He completed his initial medical and postgraduate internal medicine training in India before relocating to Australia, where he undertook specialist training in General and Geriatric Medicine through Princess Alexandra Hospital and QEII Hospital in Brisbane. He completed his FRACP training in 2018.
Dr Bansal founded Healthy Ageing Gold Coast in 2018, a specialist geriatric and memory service supporting older people with complex medical, cognitive and functional needs. His clinical interests include the early diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, capacity assessment, deprescribing and person-centred care for frail older adults.
He leads an established Memory Clinic focused on timely diagnosis, biomarker-informed assessment, neuroimaging integration and emerging disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. He works closely with general practitioners, psychogeriatricians, neurologists, neuroradiologists and allied health professionals to provide coordinated care.
Dr Bansal is also involved in developing digital and AI-supported clinical pathways to improve cognitive assessment, streamline clinical information and strengthen access to specialist dementia care for regional and rural communities.
Dr Viral Upadhyay is an Australian-trained consultant neurologist. He completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science at Griffith University on the Gold Coast in 2007, followed by a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at Griffith University in 2011.
Dr Upadhyay undertook basic physician training at Gold Coast University Hospital and completed advanced training in neurology at tertiary hospitals in Sydney. In 2020, he completed a fellowship in movement disorders and neuromuscular medicine at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
He worked as a Staff Specialist Neurologist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for two years before returning to the Gold Coast as a Staff Specialist at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Teaching and research
Dr Upadhyay is a Senior Lecturer affiliated with The University of Queensland and Griffith University. He is also an investigator for clinical trials conducted at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Dr Ramesh Damodaran Prabha is a general surgeon with subspecialty training in liver, pancreatic, biliary and bariatric surgery. After completing general surgical training in Perth, he undertook a regional general surgery fellowship followed by three years of subspecialty training in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital, Gold Coast University Hospital and Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. He also completed overseas training in pancreatic surgery at Royal Liverpool Hospital in the United Kingdom.
Dr Damodaran Prabha has a special interest in minimally invasive general surgery and holds a Master of Minimally Invasive Surgery. He is GESA-accredited to perform upper and lower endoscopy. An ASSET and ATLS instructor, he is passionate about teaching and supporting medical students and surgical trainees. He operates at Mater Private Hospital, Southport, and Pindara Private Hospital, Benowa.
Clinical interests
Bariatric surgery, including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass
Hiatus hernia and reflux disease
Liver, pancreatic and bile duct cancers
Hernia, gallbladder and skin lesion surgery
Gastrointestinal malignancies
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy
Dr. Caroline is an experienced specialist GP with advanced women’s health training , and a member of the Australasian Menopause Society . She has a special interest in the transition in a woman’s life to “Freedom” ( menopause).Caroline is passionate about her patients igniting understanding of the science of the human body and mind to overcome the challenges in their lives.
Holistic in approach with an emphasis on lifestyle and nutrition, Caroline’s mission is break down the barriers between patients and their most powerful ally in their wellbeing: their GP.
She is a Fellow of the RACGP.
Dr Naveen Somia is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with a unique approach that combines personal attention and clinical expertise with warmth, compassion and care.
Dr Somia’s special interests include eyelid blepharoplasty surgery, eyelid skin cancers, liposuction for lipoedema, facelift rhytidectomy, necklift platysmaplasty, breast reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty surgery.
A clinical senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, Dr Somia completed his plastic surgery training in Sydney and Melbourne before undertaking additional training in cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, face and breast at Paces Plastic Surgery, affiliated with Emory University in Atlanta, USA.
He is past president of The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and a member of The Australian Society of Plastics Surgeons. He has offices in Bondi Junction (Westfield, Tower 2) and Bella Vista (Q Central building, opposite Norwest Private Hospital).
Dr Casey Going is a General Practitioner, practice owner, and healthcare entrepreneur with a passion for improving the delivery of primary care. As Director of multiple general practices across regional Queensland, Casey brings extensive experience in clinical care, business leadership, practice operations, and healthcare strategy.
Combining his medical training with a Master of Business Administration and Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, Casey has a strong interest in creating sustainable, high-performing healthcare organisations that deliver exceptional patient outcomes while supporting clinician wellbeing.
As Co-Founder and Director of MBSPro, Casey leads the development of innovative technology solutions designed specifically for general practice. Drawing on his firsthand experience as a GP and practice owner, he focuses on building practical tools that reduce administrative burden, improve workflow efficiency, enhance patient care, and help practices maximise opportunities within the Medicare system.
Editor Murtagh’s GP Book 9th Ed.
Chair of the Scientific Committee GP Refresh
Dr Justin Coleman is a GP at Inala Indigenous Health in Brisbane and a Senior Medical Educator. He started writing medical articles 30 years ago and is now one of Australia’s pre-eminent medical educators.
He has published around 1500 medical articles, ranging from newspaper columns to academic research in the BMJ. He co-edits Murtagh’s General Practice, and was editor of the Diabetes Management Journal and long-term President of the Australasian Medical Writers Association.
Dr Coleman has been a senior lecturer at four Universities. Every year, he creates and runs more than 100 educational workshops, webinars and podcasts for GPs. His bottom line is that everything he produces must be evidence-based, independent of all marketing influences, and must be both interesting and useful for the GP audience.
Ex. RACGP President
Advisory & Scientific Committee Member GP Refresh
Dr Nicole Higgins is the former President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and a highly respected leader in Australian general practice. With a career spanning over two decades, she represents the depth and diversity of the profession — combining her roles as a practising GP, business owner, medical educator, mentor, and advocate for sustainable primary care.
Based in Mackay, Queensland, Dr Higgins runs her own general practice while actively contributing to health system improvement and workforce development. She is passionate about strengthening general practice through education, leadership, and innovation. Having previously worked with Tropical Medical Training and the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS), she has guided and mentored countless GP trainees, supporting the next generation of rural and regional doctors.
Dr Higgins also served as Chair of GP Supervisors Australia (GPSA) and has held directorships since the early days of the Divisions of General Practice through to the Primary Health Networks (PHNs). Her work has been recognised for entrepreneurship, innovation, and her dedication to improving healthcare delivery in both urban and remote settings.
A strong advocate for workforce sustainability and GP wellbeing, Dr Higgins has been at the forefront of initiatives that address practitioner burnout, rural workforce shortages, and the challenges of modern primary care. She frequently collaborates with industry bodies, training organisations, and government agencies to shape policies that support equitable healthcare access across Australia.
Beyond her professional commitments, Dr Higgins is known for her pragmatic leadership style and her ability to connect policy with real-world clinical experience. As a working parent, she brings authenticity and balance to her advocacy, highlighting the human side of medicine and the need for systemic support for healthcare professionals.
Through her clinical practice, teaching, and leadership, Dr Nicole Higgins continues to champion the vital role of GPs in Australia’s healthcare system — advocating for high-quality patient care, professional support, and the advancement of general practice as the cornerstone of community health.
Scientific Committee Member GP Refresh
Dr Catherine Eltringham is a GP on Wadawurrung country in Geelong, Victoria. Since fellowship in 2013, she has balanced clinical practice with various roles in education including University, and postgraduate settings. Most recently Catherine has taken the role of National Clinical Lead for Medical Educator Professional Development and is proud to be working on a curriculum for GP medical educators. Previously to this role she was facilitating Supervisor and Medical Educator Professional Development in Victoria and developing educational content for private GP CPD provider Medcast.
When not working as a GP Medical Educator, Catherine volunteers as a fire fighter for the local CFA.
General Medical Practitioner
Advisory & Scientific Committee Member GP Refresh
Dr Ian Kamerman is an experienced General Practitioner based in Tamworth, New South Wales, with over 35 years of experience in rural medicine. He is a practice principal at Northwest Health and is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare to individuals and families across the region.
Dr Kamerman has a strong interest in supporting the sustainability of rural healthcare and is actively involved in the education and mentoring of medical students and junior doctors. Alongside his clinical work, he has contributed to a number ofleadership and advisory roles within the medical community, advocating for improved access to quality healthcare services in rural and regional Australia.
