Experts

Healthed work with a team of general practitioners and medical professionals to ensure the highest quality education​

Professor Elisabeth Elder is a specialist breast surgeon at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and privately through Specialist Services at Lakeview Private Hospital.

Elisabeth is a surgeon at the forefront of the developing field of oncoplastic breast surgery; developing techniques that concentrate on achieving not only the best possible outcome for a woman’s breast cancer but also an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Elisabeth is one of the surgeons at the forefront of developing oncoplastic surgical techniques, which means that in appropriate cases she concentrates on a good cosmetic outcome as well as treating her patient’s cancer.

Oncoplastic surgery combines breast cancer surgery with plastic surgery. The combination of cosmetic and oncological treatments gives women more treatment options. For example Elisabeth might take out a cancer and do a breast lift or reduction as part of the same operation. For patients who need a mastectomy, Elisabeth offers a wide range of reconstructive options, including implant based reconstruction (often in combination with nipple sparing mastectomy) and tissue based reconstruction in collaboration with her plastic surgical colleagues.

A/Prof Ee is an academic GP, Associate Professor (Cancer Survivorship and Primary Care) at Flinders University, Supportive Care GP at Chris O’Brien LIfehouse Cancer Center, and incoming Director of the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials group (PC4). Her research focusses on the role of primary care in cancer survivorship, reducing health inequity in culturally and linguistically diverse populations and increasing access to care through patient navigation, and on the intersection between cardiometabolic and women’s reproductive health and cancer survivorship.
Robyn Kelly is a High school teacher, married, mother of 3 now adult children. In 2019 at age 46, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and became a BCI patient. Joined the clinical trial for Empower SMS after active treatment in 2020. Co – presented at the launch of the BCI Empower SMS program in 2023.
Dr Pulle is currently working in a clinical capacity as a Senior Staff Specialist / Geriatrician at The Prince Charles Hospital. Dr Pulle’s interests include Dementia and Orthogeriatic care.Dr Pulle is a Geriatrician who has been managing patients in the Hip Fracture Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital since it’s establishment in 2010. He is member of the steering committee of the Australia New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry.Dr Pulle is also a Principal Investigator at The Prince Charles Hospital Internal Medicine and Dementia Research Unit. Over the last 15 years the Research Unit has provided evaluation, diagnosis and treatment recommendations, to patients and caregivers participating in Pharmaceutical Sponsored clinical drug trials with the most recent advances in possible new medications for various Dementia types.Dr Pulle is current Chair of Dementia Trials Australia.He is past president of the Qld Division of The Australia New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine and current member of the Society’s Federal Council.
Emily is a general neurologist and epileptologist, with an interest in treating women with epilepsy, including in the peri-natal period, and headache. She is a VMO at the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, and also works in private practice at Sharp Neurology, and Northern Beaches Neurology. She has previously held appointments at the Royal North Shore Hospital, and at the Prince of Wales Hospital, in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Service. Emily treats people with epilepsy on a holistic level, and has a passion for teaching, particularly on the topic of epilepsy.
Cathy Herbrand is a Professor of Medical and Family Sociology and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Reproduction Research. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Université libre de Bruxelles which was funded by the Belgian Scientific Research Funds (FNRS). As a FNRS Postdoctoral Researcher, she was a Visiting Fellow at the Social Science, Health and Medicine Department at King’s College London and at the BIOS Research Centre at London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Ottawa.

Cathy is an appointed member of the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics (2014-2023) and currently co-chairs the subcommittee to produce policy and ethics recommendations on surrogacy regulation in Belgium (advisory report expected to be published in June 2023). Previously, she contributed to the advisory reports on: non-invasive prenatal testing (report n°66 – 9 May 2016); male circumcision (report n°70 – 8 May 2017); sex chromosomal aneuploidies (report n°76 – 30 April 2021).

Her research interests lie in the sociological and anthropological study of new family forms, biotechnologies and genetics, with a particular focus on reproductive decision-making, multi-parenthood and gender issues. She is especially interested in exploring the interactions between new parental forms and reproductive practices and their legal regulation. Her publications appear in Bioethics, Sociology of Health and Illness, BioSocieties, Anthropology and Medicine, Journal of Medical Law and Ethics, etc. (see Publications).

Cathy has recently been awarded a large-scale ESRC Research Grant (£595K) to conduct a collaborative and interdisciplinary study on the implications of new preconception reproductive genomic testing in the UK (Feb 2023 – Jan 2026) in partnership with the Progress Educational Trust. Informed by scholarship in medical sociology with insights from science and technology studies, bioethics and political economy, this project investigates the emergence of expanded carrier screening for preconception use amongst the general population, and its social, ethical, economic and policy implications.

Cathy has also undertaken research on reproductive choices in the context of mitochondrial disorders. The aim of the research was to gain a better understanding of the interactions between scientific progress, policies and people’s lives, through the analysis of the debates surrounding mitochondrial replacement techniques under development in the UK and their impacts on families affected by mitochondrial disorders.

Cathy has previously been involved in several international and interdisciplinary collaborative research projects on cross-border surrogacy, egg donation for research and same-sex adoption, including as a co-investigator on the EDNA project: ‘Egg donation in the UK, Belgium and Spain: an interdisciplinary study, ESRC Research Grant, led by N. Hudson N. (March 2017 – Aug 2021).

Her previous work explored multi-parenthood through the study of practices and laws around gay and lesbian families in Belgium. Her publications include papers and book chapters on the legal recognition of gay and lesbian parenthood, information-sharing in gamete donation and the comparison of assisted conception laws in Belgium, Quebec and the UK.

Dr Jane Elliott AM has been a general practitioner in Adelaide for many years, with a special career interest in women’s health, including menopause and premature menopause. She is a clinical senior lecturer in the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide and teaches medical students and GPs. She has been an investigator in clinical research trials in many areas of women’s health including menopause, contraception, osteoporosis and low libido. She currently consults at AWARE Women’s Health. Jane is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society and is a member of Healthy Bones Australia National Consumer and Community Advisory Committee.

Prof Bronwyn Stuckey is a clinical endocrinologist with a special interest in reproductive endocrinology. She is a consultant endocrinologist at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, Medical Director of the Keogh Institute for Medical Research and Clinical Professor in the Medical School, University of Western Australia. She is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society, a Life Member of the Endocrine Society of Australia, and a Member of the Order of Australia. She is very interested in the influence of reproductive hormones on metabolism.

Dr Tamara Hunter Dr Tamara Hunter is a gynaecologist and CREI certified fertility specialist. Dr Hunter started as an exercise physiologist before attending medical school. Her vision is to offer women the best of both worlds: evidence-based medicine and holistic lifestyle support.

Prof Bronwyn Stuckey is a clinical endocrinologist with a special interest in reproductive endocrinology. She is a consultant endocrinologist at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, Medical Director of the Keogh Institute for Medical Research and Clinical Professor in the Medical School, University of Western Australia. She is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society, a Life Member of the Endocrine Society of Australia, and a Member of the Order of Australia. She is very interested in the influence of reproductive hormones on metabolism.

Dr Karen Magraith is a GP in Hobart. She is a past president of the Australasian Menopause Society. She is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania, and a committee member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee for Health Bones Australia.

Dr Jane Elliott AM has been a general practitioner in Adelaide for many years, with a special career interest in women’s health, including menopause and premature menopause. She is a clinical senior lecturer in the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide and teaches medical students and GPs. She has been an investigator in clinical research trials in many areas of women’s health including menopause, contraception, osteoporosis and low libido. She currently consults at AWARE Women’s Health. Jane is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society and is a member of Healthy Bones Australia National Consumer and Community Advisory Committee.

Darran is a specialist GP by trade, but in the true spirit of generalism, he wears many hats beyond his clinical role. As a medical director, advisor, researcher, and educator, he brings a multifaceted perspective to the healthcare landscape. Passionate about digital health within primary care, Darran is particularly focused on emerging technologies and novel service delivery methods.

Currently, Darran serves as Medical Director at Healthdirect Australia, where he leads the clinical governance of its virtual GP services. He is also the deputy chair of the RACGP Digital Health and Innovation Specific Interest Group, while maintaining his clinical practice in Sydney.

Furthering his commitment to advancing healthcare, Darran is pursuing a PhD at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI). His research centers on emerging models of primary health care service delivery, with a current focus on virtual services and the impact of direct-to-consumer telehealth on traditional primary care systems.

As an educator, Darran supervises students within Macquarie University’s MD program on their GP placements and is a GP Supervisor with the RACGP. This role allows him to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of medical professionals.

Darran’s combination of clinical practice, leadership roles, research into emerging healthcare models, and dedication to medical education provides him with a comprehensive view of the evolving healthcare landscape. This diverse experience enables him to contribute meaningfully to ongoing advancements in healthcare, particularly in the dynamic fields of digital health and primary care delivery.

Tracy has more than 26 years experience in medico-legal complaint management and litigation. As a senior lawyer and member of Avant’s Advocacy, Education and Research team, she is responsible for identifying and responding to emerging medico-legal issues which impact Avant’s members. Tracy is an experienced presenter, regularly presenting at educational seminars and is actively involved in the medico-legal community in Queensland. She is a key member of the Avant team exploring issues relating to the medico-legal risks associated with AI in healthcare.

Tracy’s significant experience has been consistently recognised by her peers since 2020 to 2024 by her listing as a pre-eminent Queensland Defendant Medical Negligence Lawyer in the Doyle’s Guide. She is a director of the AEIOU Foundation and former director of the Queensland Doctors’ Health Programme.

Saby Saxena is the product Technical Lead at Astra health – A leading multilingual AI scribe platform designed for clinicians. Astra scribe helps doctors and healthcare professionals automate their clinical documentation, saving them one to two hours every day with a strong focus on multilingual support services across a wide range of medical disciplines.

Saby has extensive hands-on experience in building and advising on generative AI products in the Australian public sector and in major banks. Saby has worked extensively in highly regulated sectors where risk compliance and security requirements are paramount. He brings this discipline and innovative mindset to healthcare, assisting Astra health AI in delivering reliable and transformative tools to clinicians.

Dr Yahya Minsif is an experienced Australian medical practitioner with four years of clinical expertise, currently serving within the Australian Defence Force. His work encompasses both primary care and the unique demands of military medicine, where he provides comprehensive health services to defence personnel in a dynamic and high-responsibility environment.

Beyond medicine, Dr Minsif is actively involved in community engagement, education, and public speaking. He hosts a Minsifology podcast focused on youth empowerment, civic responsibility, and health education, regularly engaging with local leaders and professionals to bring meaningful conversations to a broader audience.

Professor Elisabeth Elder is a specialist breast surgeon at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and privately through Specialist Services at Lakeview Private Hospital.

Elisabeth is a surgeon at the forefront of the developing field of oncoplastic breast surgery; developing techniques that concentrate on achieving not only the best possible outcome for a woman’s breast cancer but also an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Elisabeth is one of the surgeons at the forefront of developing oncoplastic surgical techniques, which means that in appropriate cases she concentrates on a good cosmetic outcome as well as treating her patient’s cancer.

Oncoplastic surgery combines breast cancer surgery with plastic surgery. The combination of cosmetic and oncological treatments gives women more treatment options. For example Elisabeth might take out a cancer and do a breast lift or reduction as part of the same operation. For patients who need a mastectomy, Elisabeth offers a wide range of reconstructive options, including implant based reconstruction (often in combination with nipple sparing mastectomy) and tissue based reconstruction in collaboration with her plastic surgical colleagues.

A/Prof Ee is an academic GP, Associate Professor (Cancer Survivorship and Primary Care) at Flinders University, Supportive Care GP at Chris O’Brien LIfehouse Cancer Center, and incoming Director of the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials group (PC4). Her research focusses on the role of primary care in cancer survivorship, reducing health inequity in culturally and linguistically diverse populations and increasing access to care through patient navigation, and on the intersection between cardiometabolic and women’s reproductive health and cancer survivorship.
Robyn Kelly is a High school teacher, married, mother of 3 now adult children. In 2019 at age 46, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and became a BCI patient. Joined the clinical trial for Empower SMS after active treatment in 2020. Co – presented at the launch of the BCI Empower SMS program in 2023.
Dr Pulle is currently working in a clinical capacity as a Senior Staff Specialist / Geriatrician at The Prince Charles Hospital. Dr Pulle’s interests include Dementia and Orthogeriatic care.Dr Pulle is a Geriatrician who has been managing patients in the Hip Fracture Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital since it’s establishment in 2010. He is member of the steering committee of the Australia New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry.Dr Pulle is also a Principal Investigator at The Prince Charles Hospital Internal Medicine and Dementia Research Unit. Over the last 15 years the Research Unit has provided evaluation, diagnosis and treatment recommendations, to patients and caregivers participating in Pharmaceutical Sponsored clinical drug trials with the most recent advances in possible new medications for various Dementia types.Dr Pulle is current Chair of Dementia Trials Australia.He is past president of the Qld Division of The Australia New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine and current member of the Society’s Federal Council.
Emily is a general neurologist and epileptologist, with an interest in treating women with epilepsy, including in the peri-natal period, and headache. She is a VMO at the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, and also works in private practice at Sharp Neurology, and Northern Beaches Neurology. She has previously held appointments at the Royal North Shore Hospital, and at the Prince of Wales Hospital, in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Service. Emily treats people with epilepsy on a holistic level, and has a passion for teaching, particularly on the topic of epilepsy.
Cathy Herbrand is a Professor of Medical and Family Sociology and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Reproduction Research. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Université libre de Bruxelles which was funded by the Belgian Scientific Research Funds (FNRS). As a FNRS Postdoctoral Researcher, she was a Visiting Fellow at the Social Science, Health and Medicine Department at King’s College London and at the BIOS Research Centre at London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Ottawa.

Cathy is an appointed member of the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics (2014-2023) and currently co-chairs the subcommittee to produce policy and ethics recommendations on surrogacy regulation in Belgium (advisory report expected to be published in June 2023). Previously, she contributed to the advisory reports on: non-invasive prenatal testing (report n°66 – 9 May 2016); male circumcision (report n°70 – 8 May 2017); sex chromosomal aneuploidies (report n°76 – 30 April 2021).

Her research interests lie in the sociological and anthropological study of new family forms, biotechnologies and genetics, with a particular focus on reproductive decision-making, multi-parenthood and gender issues. She is especially interested in exploring the interactions between new parental forms and reproductive practices and their legal regulation. Her publications appear in Bioethics, Sociology of Health and Illness, BioSocieties, Anthropology and Medicine, Journal of Medical Law and Ethics, etc. (see Publications).

Cathy has recently been awarded a large-scale ESRC Research Grant (£595K) to conduct a collaborative and interdisciplinary study on the implications of new preconception reproductive genomic testing in the UK (Feb 2023 – Jan 2026) in partnership with the Progress Educational Trust. Informed by scholarship in medical sociology with insights from science and technology studies, bioethics and political economy, this project investigates the emergence of expanded carrier screening for preconception use amongst the general population, and its social, ethical, economic and policy implications.

Cathy has also undertaken research on reproductive choices in the context of mitochondrial disorders. The aim of the research was to gain a better understanding of the interactions between scientific progress, policies and people’s lives, through the analysis of the debates surrounding mitochondrial replacement techniques under development in the UK and their impacts on families affected by mitochondrial disorders.

Cathy has previously been involved in several international and interdisciplinary collaborative research projects on cross-border surrogacy, egg donation for research and same-sex adoption, including as a co-investigator on the EDNA project: ‘Egg donation in the UK, Belgium and Spain: an interdisciplinary study, ESRC Research Grant, led by N. Hudson N. (March 2017 – Aug 2021).

Her previous work explored multi-parenthood through the study of practices and laws around gay and lesbian families in Belgium. Her publications include papers and book chapters on the legal recognition of gay and lesbian parenthood, information-sharing in gamete donation and the comparison of assisted conception laws in Belgium, Quebec and the UK.

Dr Jane Elliott AM has been a general practitioner in Adelaide for many years, with a special career interest in women’s health, including menopause and premature menopause. She is a clinical senior lecturer in the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide and teaches medical students and GPs. She has been an investigator in clinical research trials in many areas of women’s health including menopause, contraception, osteoporosis and low libido. She currently consults at AWARE Women’s Health. Jane is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society and is a member of Healthy Bones Australia National Consumer and Community Advisory Committee.

Prof Bronwyn Stuckey is a clinical endocrinologist with a special interest in reproductive endocrinology. She is a consultant endocrinologist at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, Medical Director of the Keogh Institute for Medical Research and Clinical Professor in the Medical School, University of Western Australia. She is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society, a Life Member of the Endocrine Society of Australia, and a Member of the Order of Australia. She is very interested in the influence of reproductive hormones on metabolism.

Dr Tamara Hunter Dr Tamara Hunter is a gynaecologist and CREI certified fertility specialist. Dr Hunter started as an exercise physiologist before attending medical school. Her vision is to offer women the best of both worlds: evidence-based medicine and holistic lifestyle support.

Prof Bronwyn Stuckey is a clinical endocrinologist with a special interest in reproductive endocrinology. She is a consultant endocrinologist at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, Medical Director of the Keogh Institute for Medical Research and Clinical Professor in the Medical School, University of Western Australia. She is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society, a Life Member of the Endocrine Society of Australia, and a Member of the Order of Australia. She is very interested in the influence of reproductive hormones on metabolism.

Dr Karen Magraith is a GP in Hobart. She is a past president of the Australasian Menopause Society. She is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania, and a committee member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee for Health Bones Australia.

Dr Jane Elliott AM has been a general practitioner in Adelaide for many years, with a special career interest in women’s health, including menopause and premature menopause. She is a clinical senior lecturer in the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide and teaches medical students and GPs. She has been an investigator in clinical research trials in many areas of women’s health including menopause, contraception, osteoporosis and low libido. She currently consults at AWARE Women’s Health. Jane is a Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society and is a member of Healthy Bones Australia National Consumer and Community Advisory Committee.

Darran is a specialist GP by trade, but in the true spirit of generalism, he wears many hats beyond his clinical role. As a medical director, advisor, researcher, and educator, he brings a multifaceted perspective to the healthcare landscape. Passionate about digital health within primary care, Darran is particularly focused on emerging technologies and novel service delivery methods.

Currently, Darran serves as Medical Director at Healthdirect Australia, where he leads the clinical governance of its virtual GP services. He is also the deputy chair of the RACGP Digital Health and Innovation Specific Interest Group, while maintaining his clinical practice in Sydney.

Furthering his commitment to advancing healthcare, Darran is pursuing a PhD at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI). His research centers on emerging models of primary health care service delivery, with a current focus on virtual services and the impact of direct-to-consumer telehealth on traditional primary care systems.

As an educator, Darran supervises students within Macquarie University’s MD program on their GP placements and is a GP Supervisor with the RACGP. This role allows him to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of medical professionals.

Darran’s combination of clinical practice, leadership roles, research into emerging healthcare models, and dedication to medical education provides him with a comprehensive view of the evolving healthcare landscape. This diverse experience enables him to contribute meaningfully to ongoing advancements in healthcare, particularly in the dynamic fields of digital health and primary care delivery.

Tracy has more than 26 years experience in medico-legal complaint management and litigation. As a senior lawyer and member of Avant’s Advocacy, Education and Research team, she is responsible for identifying and responding to emerging medico-legal issues which impact Avant’s members. Tracy is an experienced presenter, regularly presenting at educational seminars and is actively involved in the medico-legal community in Queensland. She is a key member of the Avant team exploring issues relating to the medico-legal risks associated with AI in healthcare.

Tracy’s significant experience has been consistently recognised by her peers since 2020 to 2024 by her listing as a pre-eminent Queensland Defendant Medical Negligence Lawyer in the Doyle’s Guide. She is a director of the AEIOU Foundation and former director of the Queensland Doctors’ Health Programme.

Saby Saxena is the product Technical Lead at Astra health – A leading multilingual AI scribe platform designed for clinicians. Astra scribe helps doctors and healthcare professionals automate their clinical documentation, saving them one to two hours every day with a strong focus on multilingual support services across a wide range of medical disciplines.

Saby has extensive hands-on experience in building and advising on generative AI products in the Australian public sector and in major banks. Saby has worked extensively in highly regulated sectors where risk compliance and security requirements are paramount. He brings this discipline and innovative mindset to healthcare, assisting Astra health AI in delivering reliable and transformative tools to clinicians.

Dr Yahya Minsif is an experienced Australian medical practitioner with four years of clinical expertise, currently serving within the Australian Defence Force. His work encompasses both primary care and the unique demands of military medicine, where he provides comprehensive health services to defence personnel in a dynamic and high-responsibility environment.

Beyond medicine, Dr Minsif is actively involved in community engagement, education, and public speaking. He hosts a Minsifology podcast focused on youth empowerment, civic responsibility, and health education, regularly engaging with local leaders and professionals to bring meaningful conversations to a broader audience.