Build your expertise in Sexual & Reproductive Health

Course Presenter Dr Henry Yao RACS Read bio about Dr Henry Yao Dr Henry Yao

Uro-oncology Robotic Surgeon

Reconstructive Oncologist

General Urologist

Dr Henry Yao is a urological surgeon with a special interest in uro-oncology, minimally invasive surgery (robotic and laparoscopic surgery), and reconstructive urology. He completed his undergraduate medical degree at The University of Melbourne with first class honours. Dr Yao completed his urology training in Melbourne and is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Dr Yao completed a year of training at Western Health as the Advanced Laparoscopic and General Urology Fellow. He has subsequently completed further fellowship training in Robotic Surgery and Uro-oncology at one of the largest hospitals in the UK, where he worked in a high-volume cancer specialist referral centre. Dr Yao also has a subspecialty interest in reconstructive urology and has published work in this area.

Dr Yao maintains a strong interest in medical research and has published 20 peer-reviewed journal articles to date. He is actively involved in the supervision of students completing research degrees. His main research interest is in the area of cancer survivorship and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

Dr Yao always strives to provide compassionate and wholistic care for his patients. He provides care in all areas of general urology, with a subspecialty interest in uro-oncology and reconstructive urology. He is also fluent in Mandarin.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Christine Ahern MBBS FRACGP Read bio about Dr Christine Ahern Dr Christine Ahern

Senior lecturer, Sydney University

Dr Christine Ahern has worked as a general practitioner in rural NSW since 1983, often with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her special interests include women’s health and education.

Dr Ahern is a senior lecturer at Sydney University and has previously been the Director of Training for North Coast GP Training. In 2011 she was named the General Practice Education and Training Medical Educator of the Year, a prestigious national award. Dr Ahern holds a MBBS and FRACGP.

Back

Dr Divyanshu (Divy) Dua MBBS FAGE FRACP Read bio about Dr Divyanshu (Divy) Dua Dr Divyanshu (Divy) Dua

Consultant Medical Oncologist, Canberra Region Cancer Services

Dr Divyanshu Dua has worked as a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Canberra Region Cancer Services since July 2016. He previously worked as a Staff Specialist in Medical Oncology in rural Victoria.

Dr Dua’s experience and training in medicine and oncology spans across three continents including Asia, Europe, and Australia. He specialises in lung cancers, thoracic malignancies, and genitourinary malignancies. He has a special interest in cancer in geriatric patients and a keen interest in medical services development and hospital management.

After doing most of his physician training in Adelaide, Dr Dua went on to do a clinical fellowship at the Guys Hospital in London in drug development, early phase clinical trials, and thoracic malignancies.

In his spare time, Dr Dua is a sports fan and enjoys watching and playing cricket.

Back

Course Chair Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors MBBS (first class honours) Read bio about Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors

General practitioner and GP supervisor

Associate Professor Debbie Kors is the founder and joint owner of a private teaching general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia. She works there as a general practitioner and GP supervisor of GP registrars and medical students.

A/Prof Kors is a passionate advocate for the profession of general practice. She is a Conjoint Associate Professor in Primary Health Care at the UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus and has previously worked as a senior medical educator with North Coast GP Training. In 2010, she was nominated for and won the General Practice Education and Training GP Supervisor of the Year award.

A/Prof Kors holds a MBBS (first class honours), Fellowship of the RACGP, Masters of Family Medicine (clinical), Diploma of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Graduate Diploma of Medical Education and a Certificate of Family Planning.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Kate Moriarty FRACGP Read bio about Dr Kate Moriarty Dr Kate Moriarty

Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.

Dr Kate Moriarty works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia, where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. She is a senior lecturer for UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus. She has special interests in women’s health and medical education.

She holds a Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.

Back

Course Presenter Professor Mathis Grossmann Read bio about Professor Mathis Grossmann Professor Mathis Grossmann

Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne

Professor Mathis Grossmann is a physician-scientist trained in both basic biology and clinical endocrinology. He is Professor of Medicine at the Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Australia. As a Consultant Endocrinologist at Austin Health, he runs Endocrine Men’s Health and Endocrine Breast Cancer Clinics.

Prof Grossmann graduated with an MD from Heidelberg University Medical School and did his internship in Munich, Germany. He then spent four years in basic research at the National Institutes of Health, USA, and obtained a PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, followed by clinical training leading to FRACP. He joined the University of Melbourne at Austin Health in 2006.

His research focuses on the roles of reproductive hormones in health and disease. His group conducts observational and interventional trials in men with 1) low testosterone and chronic disease, 2) hypogonadism, 3) prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy, and 4) women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibition to understand how reproductive hormones regulate musculoskeletal health and glucose homeostasis, both at the clinical and the molecular level.

He has >150 peer reviewed publications and book chapters with more than 7,000 citations and a H-index of 46.

Editorial board memberships include the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal of the Endocrine Society, Clinical Endocrinology (Oxford), Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research, and he is Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Andrology.

Committee memberships include the US Endocrine Society Endocrine Self-Assessment Program (ESAP) and the Endocrine Society of Australia Council.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Valia Francis Read bio about Dr Valia Francis Dr Valia Francis

Dr Francis enjoys all aspects of general practice and is especially interested in skin medicine, women's health and medicine of the elderly. Originally from Greece, Dr Francis is involved in teaching medical students as a Conjoint Lecturer in the Rural Medical School of Port Macquarie as well as teaching registrars. Dr Francis is a FRACGP, has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor in Sciences (First class Honours in Neuroscience), Diploma in Child Health, Diploma of the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Diploma of Family Planning & Sexual Health.

When not at work, Dr Francis tries to fight waves with surf or paddle boards, is training hard to become the next MasterChef winner, and enjoys reading books and learning new languages. She also enjoys long distance running and acquiring a masters in paleontology (special interest Jurassic and Mesozoic eras) thanks to 2 sons that are over invested in dinosaurs.

Back

Contributor Assoc. Professor Norman Eizenberg MBBS FRACS(Hon) Read bio about Assoc. Professor Norman Eizenberg Assoc. Professor Norman Eizenberg

Clinical Academic Lead (Back to Base Days) Melbourne Clinical School, The University of Notre Dame

Honorary Principal Fellow Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne

Associate Professor Norman Eizenberg has taught anatomy to medical students (at Melbourne and Monash Universities) and surgical trainees for more than 40 years. His main areas of research and scholarship are in medical education (including student learning of anatomy) and in anatomical variations (including their surgical implications). He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship Degree (in 2016) by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in recognition of “significant work in anatomy and of contributions to the College” and is currently Anatomy Specialty Editor for the ANZ Journal of Surgery.

A/Prof Eizenberg’s biggest role was project leader of the recently completed ANATOMEDIA Online which is a comprehensive, interactive learning platform exploring anatomy from multiple perspectives. So far, ANATOMEDIA has received four national or international awards, including the Australian Publishers Association "Best teaching & learning package in tertiary education" (in 2008).

 Meanwhile, he managed to keep his hand in clinical practice after-hours as a GP and received Life Membership “for 30 years extraordinary service as a volunteer doctor at matches” by AJAX Amateur Football Club. He was also fortunate to be a Victorian Australian of the Year Finalist (in 2014) for “outstanding contribution: anatomist, doctor and educationalist”.

Outside interests besides organised sport include nature walks and contemporary music. A/Prof Eizenberg is a bit of a film buff and reads books on biography or history (which like anatomy and unlike him, never become outdated).

Back

Workshop Presenter Dr Nelum Dharmapriya MBChB(UK) MRCP FRACGP Read bio about Dr Nelum Dharmapriya Dr Nelum Dharmapriya

Professor General Practitioner at Narangba Doctors, Queensland

Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UK (DRCOG) 2000

Diploma of Family planning and Sexual Health Medicine, UK (DFFP) 2003

Obtained Letter of Competence in Intrauterine Techniques by FFPRHC, 2003

Dr Nelum Dharmapriya was born in Sri Lanka. She graduated from the University of Aberdeen, UK, in 1995 and was a partner at Heaton Norris Medical Centre in Stockport, UK, for seven years. Nelum arrived in Australia in 2009 and established Narangba Doctors in 2012. She is married with two teenage boys and loves to spend time outdoors – running, cycling, travelling and reading.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Belinda Dopita BSc, MScHS, FHGSA Read bio about Dr Belinda Dopita Dr Belinda Dopita

HGSA-Certified Genetic Counsellor, ACT Genetic Service

Master's in Genetic Counselling

ACT State Representative, Human Genetics for Australasia

Belinda Dopita is an HGSA certified genetic counsellor with over 19 years’ clinical experience. She completed her undergraduate degree at the ANU, and her postgraduate diploma in Genetic Counselling at Melbourne. She worked at the Center for Human Genetics in Boston, USA. After returning to Australia, Belinda completed her Master's in Genetic Counselling studying physician knowledge of newborn screening, while working at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.   

Belinda currently works at the ACT Genetic Service in both general and cancer genetics. She supports many cancer support groups and has presented at pink hope information days. Belinda also has a private practice which she founded in 2014. Her private practice has since grown, and she offers a combination of in-person appointments, skype and phone consultations. She is responsible for discussing high risk non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), and reproductive carrier screening results Australia-wide. She has a particular interest in pre-pregnancy and prenatal genetic counselling as well as genetic testing for genes associated with cancer. 

Belinda is the current ACT state representative for the Human Genetics for Australasia and has a long history of service with the HGSA. Having a background in psychology and previously working with children in many areas, she is also interested in genetic counselling of children and young adults. 

Belinda has three children which keep her busy; she enjoys horse riding, dining out and any free time she can get.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Michael Lowy Master of Psychological Medicine Read bio about Dr Michael Lowy Dr Michael Lowy

Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine

Dr Michael Lowy is a men’s health physician with a special interest in male sexual dysfunction, relationship counselling and the general health issues of men. Dr Lowy began his medical career in general practice, later becoming a sexual health physician (FAChSHM) and obtained a Master of Psychological Medicine and became a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine.

Dr Lowy currently works at The Male Clinic in Woolloomooloo and at Executive Health Solutions at St Vincent’s Clinic. Dr Lowy is a lecturer in Men’s Health at the University of NSW, Notre Dame University, University of Sydney and Family Planning NSW and is a clinical tutor of UNSW medical students. He is a life member of ASSERT NSW and a founding member of Society of Australian Sexologists NSW branch.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Sharon Sykes MBBS BAppSc FRACGP Read bio about Dr Sharon Sykes Dr Sharon Sykes

General practitioner

Dr Sharon Sykes works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. Dr Sykes served 18 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before becoming a general practitioner. She has a special interest in medical education and has previously worked as a medical educator for North Coast GP Training.

She holds a MBBS, Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sci) and a Fellowship of the RACGP.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Darren Katz Read bio about Dr Darren Katz Dr Darren Katz

Leader, Andrology Special Advisory Group, Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand

Dr Darren Katz is a urological surgeon who serves as Medical Director of Men’s Health Melbourne. He is a very approachable urologist who understands the importance of providing patients with the highest standards of multi-disciplinary care. His aim is to deliver prompt, ready-access to all forms of urological management – either elective or emergency - and is available 24/7 to GPs and patients.

Dr Katz is the current Leader of the Andrology Special Advisory Group for the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand. He graduated from Melbourne University Medical School in 2001 and completed his urological training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He has spent two years at world-leading hospitals - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill-Cornell Medical Centre - in New York completing sub-speciality urological fellowships in andrology, urological prosthetics, male voiding dysfunction, incontinence, and male infertility.

Dr Katz is the director of the only Australian Prosthetic and Micro-surgical Fellowship which trains overseas urologists in world-leading procedures and operations. Dr Katz has trained urologists from USA, Canada, Israel, and England. These urologists spend one year with Dr Katz and his colleagues learning about the latest treatments and operations in his sub-speciality field.

Dr Katz is heavily involved with research and academics and has been awarded both national and international grants and scholarships. He has been an invited faculty member for numerous urological workshops to teach other urologists and training urologists about the latest surgical techniques. He often presents at major international conferences.  He is the author of multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Urology, British Journal of Urology International, Andrology, Asian Journal of Urology, Journal of Sexual Medicine, The Asian Journal of Andrology, and the Journal of Andrology and Gynaecology: Current Research. He is involved with several clinical trials and provides the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatments for his patients. 

Dr Katz is a member of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, The Fertility Society of Australia, The American Urological Association, The European Association of Urology, and The Sexual Medicine Society of North America.

Back

Course Presenter Dr Christopher Ross BSc (BiomedSc) (Hons) BMBS FACD Read bio about Dr Christopher Ross Dr Christopher Ross

Dermatologist

Dr Christopher Ross is an Adelaide-based Dermatologist who completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with Honours at Adelaide University in 2004, before completing his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at Flinders University in 2008.

Dermatology training was conducted at Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Royal Adelaide Hospital; he was awarded Fellowship of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD) in 2016. Dr Ross has published multiple articles in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology and has written and presented several courses in General Dermatology with HealthCert for teaching purposes.

Dr Ross has a keen interest in rural dermatology, providing outreach services to Darwin and rural South Australia. He also holds the position of Visiting Medical Specialist at Flinders Medical Centre, providing care and teaching to Dermatology registrars. Dr Ross has an interest in all general dermatology including acne, eczema, psoriasis and hair loss.

Dr Ross become a founding member of DermoDirect, which is an online teledermatology service that provides a valuable expert service to rural areas of Australia. He also is a founder of Diagnode, the telehealth platform behind Dermodirect.

Back