Keynote Speakers
Samantha Bloom
World Para Surfing Champion, bestselling author; Australia
Samantha Bloom is a four-time World Para Surfing Champion, bestselling author, and the inspiration behind the critically acclaimed film Penguin Bloom, starring Naomi Watts. The movie, based on the international bestselling book Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family, recounts Sam’s extraordinary journey of resilience and recovery. Paralyzed in an accident in Thailand in 2013, Sam’s determination has led her to win multiple Oceania paracanoe championships and achieve global recognition in adaptive surfing.
Beyond her athletic accolades, Sam is a passionate advocate for spinal cord injury awareness, working with global charities and serving as an ambassador for Wings For Life. She is also an adventure traveler, a Tourism Australia ambassador, a former neurology nurse, and a devoted mother of three boys. Sam’s incredible story of strength, passion, and perseverance continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Dr Bronwyn King
Social entrepreneur, humanitarian, company director, radiation oncologist; Australia
Dr Bronwyn King AO is a social entrepreneur, movement maker and a globally renowned humanitarian on a mission to inspire and transform organisations into purpose driven businesses. She is a sustainability expert, company director and radiation oncologist who has worked with everyone from the terminally ill to the fittest athletes in the Australian Swim Team. Her engagement across the global corporate, finance, health and diplomatic sectors has provided unique insights into universal power structures, how to build trust, harness influence and sidestep ‘the impossible’. Her TEDxSydney talk has been viewed more than three million times.
As the founder and CEO of Tobacco Free Portfolios, Bronwyn took her place on the stage at the United Nations in New York to launch The Tobacco-Free Finance Pledge, a global initiative she led, which now has over 180 Signatories – global financial institutions with combined assets under management of over AU$15 trillion.
As a speaker, Bronwyn is exceptional. Her presentations are uplifting and engaging, with a focus on business outcomes and practical takeaways for every audience member. Whether virtual or in person – Bronwyn is guaranteed to add spark and energy to your event! Bronwyn has received countless awards in recognition of her outstanding expertise and accomplishments. Most notably, she was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for distinguished service to community health and named 2019 Melburnian of the Year.
Jason Leitch
Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI); Scotland
Jason is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
From January 2015 to May 2024 Jason was the National Clinical Director for the Scottish Government. He worked for Government from 2007 as the National Clinical Lead for Safety and subsequently, for Quality.
The National Clinical Director is responsible for quality in the health and social care system, including patient safety and person-centred care, NHS planning, and implementing quality improvement methods across the government and the broader public sector.
He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
He was elected to the US National Academy of Medicine in 2022, a rare accolade for a non US citizen.
He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee and a Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
He was a 2005-06 Quality Improvement Fellow at IHI.
Jason is a non-executive Board member of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, a Board member of The Nazareth Trust which runs an acute hospital providing care in Northern Israel and the West Bank and a trustee of the Indian Rural Evangelical Fellowship (UK) which runs a children’s’ home and schools in southeast India.
He qualified as a dentist in 1991 and was a clinical academic and Consultant Oral Surgeon in Glasgow. He has a doctorate from the University of Glasgow, a Masters in Public Health from Harvard and is a fellow of the three UK surgical Royal Colleges.
He is an internationally recognised speaker and adviser on health and care improvement, public health and has advised countries all over the world.
More keynote speakers to be announced
Other Speakers
Aneeqa Patankar
Doctor (Intern), Western Sydney Local Health District; Australia
Aneeqa is a junior medical officer passionate about Women’s Health, in addition to investigating and implementing strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Angus Dixon
CEO, Daylight Foundation; Australia
Over 30 years’ experience with Medical Technology companies across Asia Pacific. Angus is passionate about shining a light on HAIs – following significant infections with 2 family members. Knows all too well that HAIs are the single biggest complication occuring in our healthcare system today. This has helped with his focus over the last 8 years on the global impact of healthcare associated infections. Daylight Foundation was Founded in Dec 2023 with a mission of driving HAIs toward zero. Angus is passionate about shining a light on the data to reduce the incidence of HAIs – starting with Australia, then looking to see how the impact can help globally.
Anna Flynn
Director, Partnering with Consumer, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care; Australia
Anna Flynn is a Director at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Here she looks after the Partnering with Consumers team which has a focus on helping health services achieve best practice person-centred care. Anna is passionate about improving health systems for all Australians and has a keen interest in health literacy and helping health services to work with different diversity groups.
Anne Duggan
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care; Australia
Brianna McCoola
Principal Project Officer, Adolescent and Young Adults, Queensland Health; Australia
Brianna McCoola is the Qld Child & Youth Clinical Network Principal Project Officer for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Health and Care. With a clinical background as a radiation therapist, Brianna brings to her role expertise in clinical care, model of care development, consumer engagement, co-design, AYA research, and the development of healthcare professional education and training. Recognized as a leader in youth health, Brianna was a finalist for the 2024 Australian Association of Adolescent Health Outstanding Contribution to Youth Health Award and her work was also a finalist in the 2024 Queensland Health Excellence Awards. She is deeply passionate about enhancing the care experience and health outcomes for young people across Queensland.
Bronwyn Morris-Donovan
CEO, Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA); Australia
Bronwyn is a primary health sector advocate with expertise in policy and advocacy, health sector strategy and service innovation. Bron has a clinical background in podiatry and brings to the role a deep connection to allied health and primary health care. Most recently Bron has held the role of Executive General Manager of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce and General Manager Policy and Advocacy at the APA. Bron has experience across several Australian health peaks including the RACGP, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses, Australian Podiatry Association and the Mental Health Professionals’ Network.
Carla Treloar
Professor, UNSW; Australia
Carla Treloar is Scientia Professor at the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia. She is a social scientist and works to illuminate the gaps and solutions in health and social care that impact people experiencing stigma and marginalisation.
Caroline Holtby
Program Director, Murrumbidgee Local Health District; Australia
Caroline is a dedicated health change leader who has worked in Murrumbidgee, NSW for more than 10 years. Through her background as a Registered Nurse working in rural and remote areas of Australia, and a passion for improving access to care for rural people, she has led the successful implementation of a one health system approach to chronic disease care in the region. Her skills and experience include co-design, implementation and evaluation of large scale change, as well as leadership, coaching and empowerment of health professionals and managers. Beyond her role as Program Director for Collaborative Commissioning, Caroline is a mother of two young children, with a passion for travel and a lifelong learner.
Cassie Atchison
CEO, Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service; Australia
Cassie Atchison is the CEO of Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS) in Australia. She has a key focus on human rights, ensuring that healthcare services are equitable, culturally safe, and community-led. Cassie holds a Master of Human Rights, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Business Law, bringing a strong foundation in governance, strategic leadership, and advocacy to her role. She has extensive experience in health service management, policy development, and community engagement, ensuring BRAMS aligns with national priorities such as Closing the Gap. Cassie is passionate about improving access to healthcare, strengthening community partnerships, and advocating for systemic change. Under her leadership, BRAMS continues to expand its services, including NDIS and Aged Care, while maintaining a focus on cultural safety, quality care, and human rights advocacy.
Chris Bollen
Director, Bollen Health; Australia
Dr. Chris Bollen is an Adelaide GP and director of Bollen Health, a consulting firm that helps General Practices deliver safe, effective care. He has held leadership roles with the AMA (SA), RACGP SA&NT, and several health organizations, including ReturnToWorkSA and Kidney Health Australia. Chris co-developed “The Practice Leadership Advantage” program with Rod Buchecker to support GP owners through health reforms, improve patient care, and reduce team burnout. They’ve delivered this program to over 400 practices across Australia. Chris also co-facilitates workshops on dementia diagnosis and healthy ageing for Dementia Australia and other organizations. He’s worked to improve care for older adults, focusing on frailty, functional goals, and person-centred care. Along with his wife, Jane Bollen, he’s led frailty early intervention programs across five Primary Health Networks, challenging myths around ageing and promoting better engagement with older clients.
Daniel McCabe
Australian Department of Health and Aged Care; Australia
Doug Eby
Executive Vice President of Specialty Health Care Service, Southcentral Foundation; USA
Doug Eby is Executive Vice President of Specialty Services for Southcentral Foundation’s Malcolm Baldrige Award-winning Nuka System of Care. Doug is a physician executive who has done extensive work with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and other organizations around the Triple Aim, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Patient Centered Medical Homes, whole system transformation, workforce, cultural competency, health disparities, and other topics. His speaking and consulting includes work across the U.S., Canada, and portions of Europe and the South Pacific. Doug has spent more than 20 years working in support of Alaska Native leadership as they created a very innovative integrated system of care that has significantly improved health outcomes. Doug received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his master’s in public health degree from the University of Hawaii.
Fiona Nemeh
Senior Project Officer, Safer Care Victoria; Australia
Dr Fiona Nemeh is a Senior Project Officer at Safer Care Victoria. After completing a PhD in Neuropsychology at the University of Melbourne, Fiona has worked in quality improvement, to improve health outcomes in areas of major importance to public health. This includes teletrials, consumer engagement, equity and diversity, early trial approval models for rare diseases, and maternal and paediatric health.
George Eskander
Department of Health; Australia
Gerry O'Callaghan
Professor of Interprofessional Learning, University of Adelaide; Australia
Professor of Interprofessional Learning and Associate Dean Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide and a senior intensive care consultant in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Gerry has had previous operational and executive leadership roles including Executive Director of Medical Services for CALHN and Inaugural National Medical Director of DonateLife/AOTA. Gerry is interested in team based interdisciplinary strategies and practices to improve effectiveness and address inequity as well as improving consumer and HCW experience of care delivery.
Jennie Scarvell
Professor of Physiotherapy, University of Canberra; Australia
Professor Scarvell is a clinical physiotherapist turned academic. As a physiotherapist, she sought best practice for those with arthritic conditions publishing one book and one paper. Her PhD on knee osteoarthritis used ACL injury as a model, and changed perceptions of how altered movement relates to degeneration. As an academic leader she has developed physiotherapy degrees, lead her Faculty and students through covid as Associate Dean for Research and developed successful research environments. Now she concentrates on clinical trials and translational research in osteoarthritis. She has 102 papers and over 2 million in grant funding, has supervised 18 PhD candidates and mentored many clinician researchers.
Kate Curtis
Professor of Emergency and Trauma Nursing at the University of Sydney, Sydney University; Australia
Professor Kate Curtis RN is Director of Emergency Research, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and an emergency nurse at Wollongong ED. Kate’s translational research program focuses on improving the way we deliver care and has attracted $21 million funding. Kate has mentored more than 70 clinicians in quality and research projects and was the 2019 Australian nurse of the year.
Kathryn Daveson
Medical Director, Quality, Safety and Governance, Canberra Health Services; Australia
Dr Kathryn Daveson is and Infectious Diseases physician and the current Medical Director of Quality, Safety and Governance at Canberra Health Services. Her erxperience in quality and safety includes working as the Clinical Director of the Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) Program at the Australian Commision for Safety and Quality in Healthcare, Chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard, National advisor on sepsis and member on the Healthcare associated infections, AMS and Comprehensive Care advisory committees.
Katrina Randall
Clinical Director of Immunology, Canberra Health Services; Australia
Katrina Randall is a clinical immunologist and immunopathologist at Canberra Hospital, as well as leading a research group within the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University. The current focus of her research is to bring research assays such as multiparameter flow cytometry and cytokine analysis to the standard required for a diagnostic laboratory, and to discover novel biomarkers for a range of autoimmune diseases, and the efficacy of their treatment. She has received >$3.2 million dollars in research grant funding as CIA, and a listed CI on further grants for >$5.8 million. She is a current Research and Innovation Fund Fellow for the ACT.
Larissa Mason
Head of Clinical Decision Support, Beamtree; Australia
Lisa Cameron
Disability Access and Inclusion Lead, Alfred Health; Australia
Lisa is a Disability Access and Inclusion Lead at Alfred Health. She is responsible for the Disability Access and Inclusion plan, working toward a health service and workplace that is welcoming, accessible and inclusive of people with disability. Lisa is an occupational therapist with an interests in equity and public health.
Louise Reynolds
Chief Paramedic Officer, Safer Care Victoria; Australia
Dr Louise Reynolds, is ACU Associate Professor in Paramedicine and Safer Care Victoria’s Chief Paramedic Officer. She began her paramedicine career as a student paramedic with SA Ambulance Service before transitioning to research and academic roles. She was Australia’s first female paramedic with a doctoral degree experience and her education experience in vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across Australia, UK, and South-East Asia. Louise’s research focuses on paramedicine workplace culture, employing qualitative methodologies. She is five-time co-editor of ‘Understanding the Australian Health Care System’ and co-author of the paramedicine chapter.
Madeline Skellern
Australian Department of Health and Aged Care; Australia
Marie-Andree Girard
Chief Quality, Safety and Interprofessional Collaboration Officer, Clinique d'anesthesie AGM; Canada
After earning her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Sherbrooke in 2004, Dr. Marie-Andrée Girard completed her residency in anesthesiology while also obtaining a master’s degree in health law from the University of Sherbrooke. Following a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology in France, she began her career at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center in Montreal, Canada, where she worked until 2018. During her years of academic practice, she had the opportunity to develop her research on the impact of legal literacy on interprofessional collaboration attitudes and beliefs. Since leaving Sainte-Justine Hospital, she has completed and defended her doctorate in law and participated in national and international organization promoting quality and interprofessional collaboration and education. Since 2021, she has been part of the AGM Anesthesia Clinic team, where she currently combines a clinical practice in ambulatory pediatric anesthesia with a managerial role as Chief Quality officer.
Nawal Khattabi
Primary Health Care Corporation; Australia
Oghenefejiro Chinye-Nwoko
CEO, Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund; Nigeria
Dr. Oghenefejiro Chinye-Nwoko is a medical doctor, distinguished public health physician and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF). With extensive expertise in public health advocacy and program development, she has spearheaded impactful initiatives aimed at transforming healthcare systems and empowering underserved communities. Dr. Chinye-Nwoko leads the WeNaija Community Impact Cohort, an innovative program that equips over 3,000 Nigerian youth with advocacy and leadership skills to tackle pressing healthcare challenges such as maternal health, substance abuse, and primary healthcare access. A passionate advocate for youth-driven change, she employs a youth-centered design approach, fostering collaboration and co-creation to develop sustainable solutions. Her dedication to advancing public health is complemented by her commitment to capacity building and mentorship, ensuring long-term impact. Dr. Chinye-Nwoko holds a deep belief in the transformative power of youth leadership in driving sustainable healthcare reforms globally.
Rebecca Barbara
(Acting) Operations Manager - Consumer Partnerships & Disability Liaison Services, Western Health; Australia
Rebecca Barbara is a registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical experience, previously serving as a Clinical Nurse Educator. She is a passionate advocate for consumer partnerships in healthcare, leading the Lived Experience Advisor Program (LEAP) at Western Health. LEAP is an innovative initiative that professionalises lived experience beyond mental health and drug health services, embedding the consumer voice in service and system improvements. Rebecca is dedicated to addressing consumer-clinician power imbalances, recognising lived experience as a form of expertise, and fostering meaningful partnerships across diverse communities. Under her leadership, LEAP has expanded, employing lived experience advisors across multiple projects to drive more consumer-focused outcomes. Western Health is the first health service to integrate lived experience roles into mainstream healthcare. Beyond work, Rebecca and her husband prioritise creating lasting memories with their three children, embracing a family mission to live life and laugh.
Ros Kirk
Palliative Care Planning Manager, Capital Health Network - ACT Primary Health Network; Australia
Ros is a registered nurse and has over 20 years of experience working in specialist palliative care and is currently the Palliative Planning Manager for the Primary Health Network, Capital Health Network where she is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care measure funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care. Ros is also a trained in Clinical Supervisor and provides clinical supervision for frontline healthcare workers across the ACT who care for patients and their families at end-of-life.
Sheila Brito
Allied Health Engagement Officer, Capital Health Network; Australia
Sheila is the Allied Health Engagement Officer at Capital Health Network (CHN), ACT’s primary health network. She is the project manager of the Social Workers in General Practice pilot program as well as the new Multidisciplinary Approach to Diabetes Care (MADC) pilot program. She leads CHN’s engagement with the allied health sector. She has a background working in nutrition and not-for-profit industries. She is also a postgraduate student in Health & Medical Sciences.
Simone Dafoe
Survive and Thrive Navigator (Principal Physiotherapist), Royal Adelaide Hospital; Australia
Simone Dafoe is a Principal Physiotherapist ICU and Surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital working clinically in the RAH ICU for the last 15 years. She currently works in the Survive and Thrive navigator role co-ordinating the RAH ICU peer support group and in a research position. Interests and passions include the long stay ICU patient, early mobilisation in the ICU, patients with tracheostomies, ICU survivors and the patients’ journey across the continuum. She is currently enrolled in a PhD through the University of Adelaide aiming to improve the recovery for survivors of intensive care through allied health-led interventions.
Sophie Davison
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; Australia
Stephen Sheridan
Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine, St James's Hospital; Ireland
Irish Emergency Medicine trainee; Researcher with Critical Care, Stroke & Quality Improvement
Tamieka Nugent
Senior Consultant, Prestantia Health; Australia
Dr Tamieka Nugent, Senior Consultant, is a PHD trained researcher and has a background in clinical research, higher education, education and training. She is an experienced project manager having worked on primary health care transformation, workforce capacity and capability development. Tamieka offers excellent stakeholder relation skills to successfully manage national and state-based initiatives, addressing the needs of clients and delivery partners when accomplishing project deliverables. She also has experience in the development of toolkits and clinical/educational resources such as the ACT Health Healthy Aging Toolkit to support healthy aging at home project, the diabetes toolkit for WNSW PHN, numerous resources for educational modules, telehealth checklists for BSPHN RACH staff and, Model for Improvement checklists and data collection templates for clinicians and health workers. Tamieka has published over 20 peer reviewed publications and brings high level critical thinking and analytical research qualities to all initiatives.