GP Refresh Melbourne
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.
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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.
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.
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Dr Sadie Porsa is a Melbourne-based Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist dedicated to the expert care of patients with lung and sleep-related conditions. She completed Basic Physician Training at Eastern Health, followed by advanced training at Royal Melbourne Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2021. She continues to practise at Eastern Health, with involvement in teaching and mentoring.
Dr Tanya Trinh FRANZCO, FWCRS, FEBO-CR is a Sydney-based ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained corneal, cataract and refractive surgeon with expertise in cataract surgery, pterygium surgery, laser vision correction and the management of corneal and ocular surface disease. Following ophthalmology training in Australia, she completed advanced international fellowship training in Cornea, External Diseases and Refractive Surgery at the University of Toronto, a world renowned fellowship, before being invited to Sydney to establish her specialist practice.
Dr Trinh is the Medical Director of Lumière Vision on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, where she provides comprehensive ophthalmic care with a focus on modern cataract and pterygium surgery, refractive procedures and restoration of visual quality. She is also a Cornea Consultant at Sydney Eye Hospital and Co-Director of the Australian Keratoprosthesis Unit, caring for patients with complex corneal disease and severe ocular surface disorders requiring highly specialised treatment.
With additional fellowship training in the internationally recognised P.E.R.F.E.C.T.™ for Pterygium technique (one of only five surgeons in the world), Dr Trinh has a particular interest in pterygium management and ocular surface reconstruction. She is also actively involved in refractive surgery and helping patients achieve greater spectacle independence through laser vision correction and advanced cataract surgery.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr Trinh is deeply committed to education, research and innovation. She serves as a Cornea Fellowship Supervisor at Sydney Eye Hospital and Clinical Senior Lecturer with the University of Sydney, contributing to the training of the next generation of ophthalmologists.
Dr Trinh has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and has presented her work internationally on cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, keratoconus, ocular surface disease and pterygium surgery. She is a regular invited keynote speaker at Australian and international ophthalmic meetings and is recognised for her commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred care and advancing excellence in ophthalmology.
She is passionate about improving visual outcomes and empowering patients and healthcare professionals through education, collaboration and innovation.
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Dr Sana Al-Rubaye has been a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) since 2016. She graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Baghdad in 2004. Her Australian medical experience spans more than ten years and includes work at Ballarat Base Hospital in rural Victoria, the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, before moving into general practice in 2014.
While working towards becoming a GP, she gained experience across several medical specialties, including general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, sexual health, women’s health, surgery and mental health.
She enjoys all aspects of family medicine, with special interests in women’s health, including shared antenatal care; contraception, including Implanon insertion and removal and IUD insertion and removal; sexual health; child health; and chronic disease management. She also performs a range of minor surgical procedures in her practice, including the removal of skin lesions.
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Dr Edmund Song, FRACP is a General Physician and founder of Statera Health, a specialist multisystem medicine practice at Epworth Eastern, Box Hill. His practice is dedicated to autonomic and complex medicine: patients with dysautonomia (including POTS), hypermobile EDS and other connective tissue disorders, and the interacting cluster of mast cell, fatigue and GI dysmotility conditions that often accompany them. Rather than assessing one system in isolation, Dr Song provides coordinated, evidence-based assessment and treatment for patients with these multisystem presentations.
Dr Monika Fazekas-Lavu is a Sydney-based Endocrinologist with extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of a broad range of endocrine conditions. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Distinction) in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney.
Dr Fazekas-Lavu completed her specialist training in Endocrinology at Prince of Wales and St Vincent’s Hospitals in Sydney. She is the Director of Sunrise Endocrinology, a multidisciplinary clinic in Chatswood, and serves as a Visiting Medical Officer at Mater Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital.
She has a particular interest in women’s health, including the management of lipoedema, weight-related conditions, perimenopause, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and bone health. Dr Fazekas-Lavu is committed to delivering evidence-based, personalised care tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
Dr Leonard Shan, MBBS (Hons), BMedSci, FRACS, PhD, is a distinguished vascular surgeon at St Vincent’s and Epworth Hospitals, Head of Research in the Department of Vascular Surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, and an editorial board member for the Annals of Vascular Surgery.
Dr Shan is internationally recognised for his expertise in optimising quality of life after surgery. His academic work over the last 15 years includes 35 publications featured in journals such as Circulation and Annals of Surgery.
Dr Shan is also the founder and principal vascular surgeon of the ShanVascular Veins Centre, which specialises in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
Dharsh Beath is an Orthopaedic Surgeon working in Melbourne, with a subspecialty interest in shoulder and elbow surgery.
She completed her medical education at the University of Melbourne and surgical training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons before being selected for advanced international fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery at Wrightington Hospital in the United Kingdom.
Wrightington Hospital is internationally regarded as a centre of excellence for upper-limb surgery, known for its pioneering work, high surgical volumes and longstanding culture of innovation. Immersion in this environment strengthened Dharsh’s technical skills and reinforced her commitment to individualised, evidence-based care. She understands that patients with similar conditions can often have very different goals, lifestyles and pressures, and that treatment must be tailored accordingly.
Dharsh is a nationally ranked weightlifter, bringing that same resilience, discipline and deep appreciation of musculoskeletal biomechanics to her surgical practice. She understands the mindset of active individuals and elite athletes, the drive to return to performance and the need to balance motivation with safe recovery.
These qualities inform her approach to surgical decision-making, communication and long-term patient outcomes. Through her public appointments and private work, her dedication and goal-oriented approach mirror the journeys of her patients as she works with them to restore independence and reconnect them with activities that matter to them.
Mr Andrew Wilkinson is an experienced Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in hip and knee conditions. Originally from Northern Ireland, he graduated from The Queen’s University of Belfast in 2001 and worked across a broad range of surgical specialties before commencing specialist orthopaedic training in the West of Scotland in 2007.
He completed the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh examination in Trauma and Orthopaedics in 2011. He was also awarded a higher research degree (M.D.) from the University of Glasgow for research into the bioengineering of human stem cells in association with advanced ceramic implants.
Andrew moved to Melbourne for further fellowship training in general orthopaedics and trauma surgery at The Alfred Hospital. After three years at The Alfred, he undertook an additional fellowship in hip and knee joint replacement in Geelong. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2015 and now practises across University Hospital Geelong, St John of God Geelong Hospital and Epworth Geelong.
Passionate about education, Andrew teaches Deakin University medical students and orthopaedic registrars through University Hospital Geelong. He also teaches nationally as an Early Management of Severe Trauma instructor with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
His clinical interests include total and partial joint replacement, robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, acute fracture care and the treatment of arthritis. Andrew is known for his personable approach, clear communication and attentive listening, and works closely with each patient to develop an individualised treatment plan.
Ben Rogers is the Global Director of Health Systems at Movember. He is an experienced
leader in mental health, strategic planning and program management, with a focus on
strengthening health systems and improving outcomes for communities.
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 Rebecca Tidd is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) with a special interest in women’s and children’s health. After completing a Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience (Honours) and an MBBS at Deakin University Medical School, she undertook hospital training at Ballarat Health Services and worked in both private and public hospitals in Geelong. Over the past five years, Dr Tidd has practised as a GP in Geelong and currently works across a specialist women’s health clinic and a general practice.
Dr Tidd has completed additional training through the Sydney Child Health Program and provides IUD insertions, medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP), and non-directive pregnancy counselling. She has also contributed to and published research in Huntington’s disease and ADHD. Dr Tidd is passionate about delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care and advancing education in women’s health and primary care.
Dr Hanin Mohammed is a General Practitioner with qualifications including Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), Diploma of Child Health (DCH), and Advanced DRANZCOG.
Dr Mansoor Mirkazemi is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Melbourne, operating across a broad spectrum of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.
Dr Mirkazemi is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, a Board Member of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, a Faculty Member of the Anatomy for Injectors Course, a member of the International Society of Plastic Surgery, and the Clinical Head of Breast Reconstruction at Monash Health.
His areas of interest include aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery; facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty and face and neck lift; body contouring; skin cancer surgery; and repair of female genital cutting/mutilation.
MBBS (UQ), MBA (AIB), FRACGP, Certificate in Management of Obesity (University of Melbourne), Master of Medicine (USyd – Ongoing)
Dr Casey Going is a Queensland-based General Practitioner and graduate of the University of Queensland. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in 2022 and is currently completing a Master of Medicine at the University of Sydney, focusing on diabetes, metabolic medicine, and weight management.
With a strong interest in internal medicine, cardiology, and emergency medicine, Dr Going divides his time between the Condamine Medical Centre and St Andrew’s Hospital in the Darling Downs. In addition to his clinical work, he holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business and a Certificate in the Management of Obesity from the University of Melbourne.
Dr Going is also deeply engaged in medical education. As a toastmaster and experienced public speaker, he regularly delivers lectures and workshops for GP registrars and fellow practitioners. In 2023, he began working with Business for Doctors, where he developed online workshops focused on MBS education, billing, and compliance for GP registrars.
Combining his medical expertise with his business acumen, Dr Going is passionate about improving the operational and financial sustainability of general practice for both doctors and patients.
Dr Zeyad Al-Dabbagh is a Specialist Dermatologist and Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD), with nearly 20 years of experience in dermatology across medical, surgical and cosmetic practice.
He further expanded his specialist expertise at the University of Toronto, joining The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), where he completed a two-year fellowship in Paediatric Dermatology, developing focused expertise in both common and complex childhood skin conditions.
He subsequently undertook a further two-year fellowship in Advanced Medical Dermatology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, both affiliated with the University of Toronto, with a focus on complex inflammatory, autoimmune and systemic skin diseases.
Dr Al-Dabbagh also completed advanced fellowship training in Cosmetic and Dermatologic Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital through the Icahn School of Medicine in New York.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr Al-Dabbagh has a strong interest in medical education and has completed the Master Teacher Program at the University of Toronto, reflecting his long-standing commitment to teaching and the advancement of medical education.
He provides comprehensive specialist dermatology care for adults and children, with particular interests in paediatric dermatology, inflammatory skin disease, skin cancer diagnosis and management, and hair and scalp disorders.
Dr Al-Dabbagh consults at his practice, 360 Dermatology in Bundoora, as well as at Sinclair Dermatology in East Melbourne.
Dr Aws Salih is a Provisional Pain Medicine Fellow and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist dedicated to helping people with musculoskeletal and pain conditions regain function and quality of life. His training spans Royal Hobart Hospital, Austin Health, Monash Health, and Melbourne Pain Group.
He is a Chronic Pain Visiting Medical Officer at Eastern Health and a Staff Specialist in Spinal Rehabilitation Medicine at the Victorian Spinal Cord Service. He also consults privately across Melbourne with Melbourne Pain Group in Glen Waverley and Pascoe Vale, and Advance Healthcare in St Albans.
Dr Salih provides individualised care integrating pharmacotherapy, pain interventions, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. His clinical interests include central neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, and multiple sclerosis, together with axial spinal pain; shoulder, hip, and knee pain; fibromyalgia; and ther widespread pain syndromes.
Dr Narges Sobhani is a highly experienced Consultant Radiologist specialising in women’s health, with particular expertise in breast imaging and neuroradiology. She earned her medical doctorate in 2003 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists in 2015 after completing extensive medical training in Iran and Australia.
She completed a Breast Imaging Fellowship at Monash Health in 2017 and has since focused her career on breast imaging, currently working with BreastScreen Victoria. Her experience includes senior positions across both public and private healthcare, including at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Dr Sobhani also completed a specialist fellowship in neuroradiology at Austin Health in Melbourne in 2018. Her extensive clinical experience and advanced specialist training demonstrate her strong commitment to delivering high-quality radiological care.
A/Prof Adrian Mar is a Melbourne-based dermatologist. He served as Head of the Department of Dermatology at Monash Health for 18 years and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Monash University. He has a subspecialty interest in vitiligo and is a consultant with the Vitiligo Clinic at the Skin Health Institute.
A/Prof Mar is also the co-founder of Digital Dermatology, an Australian telehealth service established to improve access to specialist dermatology care. The service enables patients across Australia to consult with a dermatologist in a timely and convenient manner, while also supporting GPs in accessing specialist dermatology care for their patients.
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Dr Rajiv provides comprehensive care for adult and paediatric ENT conditions, with a thorough and collaborative approach alongside GPs and allied health professionals. Known for her clear communication and compassionate manner, she ensures patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options while developing tailored management plans.
Dr Muthukumar Subramaniyan is an Australian-trained ENT surgeon with extensive experience both locally and overseas. He is committed to delivering high-quality ENT care, with a strong focus on patient-centred outcomes and maintaining the highest standards of clinical care.
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Vimal is a consultant neurologist with dual subspecialisations in vascular neurology and neurophysiology.
He specialises in treating patients with stroke, migraines and other cerebrovascular conditions.
He offers Botox therapy for migraine, dystonia, hemifacial spasm, stroke and other conditions.
He also performs nerve conduction and EMG studies for neurophysiological evaluations of conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, muscle disorders and tremor.
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Dr Tarana Lucky is a Minimally Invasive Gynaecologist and Robotic Surgeon based in Melbourne, dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care for women with benign gynaecological conditions.
Tarana has a special interest in providing multidisciplinary, patient-centred care for patients with complex pelvic conditions such as endometriosis, including stage 4 and extra-pelvic endometriosis; adenomyosis; complex fibroids; pelvic pain; abnormal uterine bleeding; menopause; and colposcopy.
Tarana is also a highly credentialed researcher, with strong academic and clinical affiliations across Melbourne’s leading institutions. She holds a PhD and two Master’s degrees from UNSW Sydney and serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Her public appointments include Consultant Gynaecologist at the Royal Women’s Hospital and Sunshine Hospital.
She is also a recognised women’s health advocate, educator, speaker and media presenter – a JMIG social media Scholar, invited faculty speaker at various national and international conferences, and a contributor on ABC Radio, where she continues to advocate on women’s health issues to a broad public audience.
Tarana consults from her rooms at Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne.
Dr Mahesh Bandarupalli is a General Practitioner based in Melbourne. He originally trained as a cardiac intensivist in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia, where he continues his work as a GP and contributes as a lecturer at the University of Melbourne.
Dr Bandarupalli has a particular interest in metabolic medicine, complemented by his physician experience. He also undertook medical research in the United Kingdom, where his MD project investigated polypeptides in early graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Dr Bandarupalli is currently pursuing further training in longevity medicine with Geneva College. He does not maintain professional social media accounts as a doctor.
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Dr Vini Kumar has been a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon for over 25 years. She completed her medical training followed by the Diplomate of the National Board in Ophthalmology in India. She moved to Melbourne, Australia, in 2000. She worked at both Monash Medical Centre and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, during which she completed a Fellowship in Cataract Surgery. She was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in 2006.
She served on the Overseas Trained Graduate Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists for five years. She also served as an examiner for the College for a further five years, including as Examiner in Chief at the Alfred Hospital in 2025. She is an active member of the Women in Ophthalmology Committee.
She has participated in several aid projects in Vietnam, Cambodia and Fiji, including through the Fred Hollows Foundation, teaching local ophthalmology trainees and operating on underprivileged patients.
Dr Kawaljit Singh is a consultant geriatrician with over 12 years of experience in aged care. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and registered with AHPRA as a Specialist Medical Practitioner. His practice is spread from Campbelltown to Newcastle, and he provides care to multiple aged care facilities. His areas of expertise include dementia care, behaviour management in dementia, polypharmacy reviews, fall prevention, and reducing psychotropic use in aged care. Dr Singh is also a co-founder of dementia behaviour management AI app Jiya. He also has an advanced diploma in clinical hypnotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy.
Dr Ajit Kumar is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with extensive experience working with young people and families across Australia and the United Kingdom.
He holds Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych, UK), Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP), and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the United Kingdom.
Dr Kumar provides thoughtful, evidence-based assessment and treatment for children and adolescents experiencing a range of mental health difficulties, including neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties; anxiety; depression; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); and early-onset psychosis.
He works collaboratively with young people, families, schools, general practitioners, and other health professionals to develop care plans that are practical, compassionate, and tailored to each child’s needs.
Alongside his clinical work, Dr Kumar remains actively involved in teaching, research, and academic publishing, supporting high-quality, evidence-informed mental health care for children and young people.
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.
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.
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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.
