Experts

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

Field not found.Field not found.
Broad expertise in medical research, education, and project management, coupled with writing, photography, music and film production, marketing and social entrepreneurship, to help bring medical projects to life.

Dr James Muecke has worked as a visiting medical consultant for over twenty years at the Royal Adelaide and Women’s & Children’s Hospitals and in his own private practice in Adelaide.

Following his medical internship in 1988, James lived and worked as a doctor in Africa and subsequently as an eye surgeon in the Middle East, battling malaria, wild animals, rebel soldiers, and insurgent groups. He founded Sight For All in 2008, turning his passion and boundless energy into a fight against blindness in the Aboriginal and mainstream communities of Australia and some of the poorest countries of the world.

For his humanitarian efforts, James was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2012. In 2015 he was EY’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year for Australia, and in 2019 received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide. James was awarded Australian of the Year for 2020.

James is a passionate, enthusiastic and at times confronting keynote speaker, drawing on over 30 years of medical experience working in some of the poorest countries in the world.

A/Prof Anthony Byrne is a consultant respiratory physician at St Vincent’s Private Hospital. He experienced in assessing and treating people with chronic respiratory disease, sleep disorders, asthma, lung disease and tuberculosis A/Prof Anthony Byrne’s focus is on treating symptoms to help alleviate people’s discomfort and allow them the best possible quality of life. He has a special interest in respiratory infections, asthma and structural lung disease. He is an active member of a multidisciplinary cancer care team that coordinates care for people with lung cancer.
Prof Rod Baber is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Sydney. Prof Baber is a life member and Past President of both the Australasian menopause Society and the International Menopause Society. He was editor in chief of Climacteric from 2016-2024 and chair of the scientific programme committee for the 2024 World Congress on Menopause held in Melbourne. His awards include the RANZCOG Distinguished service medal, The IMS Lifetime Achievement and Distinguished Service awards and Membership of The order of Australia for service to Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dr Sonia Davison MBBS FRACP PhD, is an Endocrinologist with a special interest in Women’s Health, and has worked in this field for over 20 years. She is a Clinical Fellow at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and has worked at the Women’s Health Research Program, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. Sonia is in private practice at the Melbourne Endocrine Clinic, Malvern, and at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. Her PhD and postdoctoral research examined hormones in women, including measurement of androgens and their relationships with age, mood, sexual function and cognition. Sonia is Past President of the Australasian Menopause Society and former editor of its newsletter, ‘Changes’. She is a current Board member of the Asia Pacific Menopause Federation. Sonia has published widely in the field of women’s health, and has presented at women’s health conferences, scientific meetings, podcasts, webinars, and community seminars. She has frequently been invited to appear in the media, including the TV show, “The Truth about Menopause”, featuring Myf Warhurst.

Dr Sara Whitburn (she/her) is the Medical Director at Sexual Health Victoria. She has a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice, has Diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Family Planning. Sara specialises in genital health, menopause, and IUD insertion training. Sara is excited about enabling healthcare professionals to deliver great sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Dr Terri Foran is a Sexual Health Physician with a special clinical interest in contraception, menopause and the management of sexually transmitted infections. She has had numerous publications in these fields. Dr Foran holds the position of Conjoint Senior Lecturer in the School of Women’s and Children’s Health at UNSW Sydney, where she is regularly involved in the teaching of undergraduate students. She has worked in both private and public clinical practice, most recently as a Visiting Medical Officer at the Menopause Hub established at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. She is a current Board member of the Australasian Menopause Society. She also has a particular interest in postgraduate clinical education and has presented at both National and International conferences as well as hosting regular podcasts for HealthEd on topics related to sexual and reproductive health.

Prof Andrew Sindone, Cardiologist; Director of the Heart Failure Unit and Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Concord Hospital; Head, Department of Cardiology, Ryde Hospital
Prof Andrew Sindone B. Med (hons), MD, FRACP, FCSANZ, FNHFA is Director of the Heart Failure Unit and Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Concord Hospital and Head of Department of Cardiology at Ryde Hospital. He runs the Concord Hospital Heart Failure Clinic, research, rehabilitation and outreach programs. He has been Principal Investigator in 50 international, multi-centre, clinical trials and authored over 100 articles. He is a Co-Chairman of the NSW Cardiovascular Expert Reference Group, Fellow of the Heart Foundation of Australia and is co-author of the Australian and the Asia Pacific Heart Failure Guidelines.

Prof Roger Chen, Endocrinologist; Senior Specialist Endocrinologist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney; Conjoint Professor in Medicine, University of New South Wales; Clinical Associate Professor, University of Sydney
Professor Roger Chen is consultant endocrinologist and Senior Staff Specialist at St Vincent’s Hospital. His clinical interests are in general endocrinology including diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, pituitary disorders and in andrology. He completed his PhD on the Metabolic Effects of Growth Hormone Excess and Deficiency at the University of Sydney and conducted his laboratory work at the University of Tokyo. He is co-chair of the diabetes and mental health subcommittee of the Agency of Clinical Innovation. His research interests are in diabetes and general endocrine disorders. He particularly enjoys teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and at the University of NSW. He coordinates the endocrinology unit of the Masters of Internal Medicine for the University of Sydney.

Shoohb Alassadi is a registered pharmacist and Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney. She graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Sydney in 2021 and has since focused on integrating Pharmaceutical Sciences with Pharmacy Practice. Shoohb has also gained valuable experience as a Public Health Officer, which provided her with insights into health systems and policy. Currently, Shoohb is completing her Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and teaches in the Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy Practice units. Her teaching approach emphasises the application of scientific knowledge in practical pharmacy settings, preparing students for their future roles as healthcare professionals.
Professor Wheate completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree with 1st class honours from the University of New South Wales whilst at the Australian Defence Force Academy (1998) before he completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in medicinal chemistry under Professor J. Grant Collins (2002). He has since been awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc) in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2021 both from The University of Sydney. Since completing his PhD in 2002, he has worked in the School of Biomedical and Health Sciences at Western Sydney University (2005-2007) and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science in Scotland (2007-2011) before taking up a position in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney (Australia) in 2012. During this time, he held roles as Program Director of the pharmacy undergraduate degrees, Head of Cancer Research, and MPharm Director. Currently he is a professor in the School of National Sciences at Macquarie University.
A GP and addiction specialist, Dr Hester Wilson, is the chair of the RACGP Addiction Special Interest Group. She is the Chief Addiction Specialist for NSW, the Clinical Director for Murrumbidgee Drug and Alcohol Service for Murrumbidgee Local Health District, and a GP in private practice. She has long championed the issues GPs face when providing care to people experiencing AOD harm.
Dr Weiwen Chen is a Consultant Endocrinologist and leader in the field of Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism, and holds an appointment as a Staff Specialist in the Department of Endocrinology at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. Dr Chen completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Australia and subsequently undertook most of her postgraduate training at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. Dr Chen completed her Masters in Medicine at the University of Sydney in 2013. More recently Dr Chen has completed a PhD in osteoporosis at the Garvan Institute in Darlinghurst. During her PhD she was awarded the MSD/ANZBMS Clinical Research Excellence Award. Dr Chen continues to conduct research at the Garvan Institute and is also the Deputy Chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee of Healthy Bones Australia and a faculty member of the ANZBMS Bone Densitometry Course. Dr Chen has a broad training and knowledge of Endocrinology, and consults on a range of conditions, including osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, thyroid disorders, obesity/weight management and diabetes; including gestational diabetes.
Dr Brown graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from University of Sydney in 2014. He also completed a Master of Public Health in the same year. He is currently completing a PhD in Health Economics. After living and working in Western Sydney for over 10+ years, I understand that everyone needs something a bit different and I’m keen to help you the way you want. I utilise the latest evidenced-based science and surgical techniques to help you overcome your fertility or gynaecological challenge. Experience He has worked in the Western Sydney Local Health District for over 10 years and now holds a leadership position as one of the Clinical Leads for the South-West Sydney Specialist Menopause Service, where he works in a multidisciplinary team caring for women experiencing menopause and supporting GPs to provide care in the community. Qualifications • Fellow of Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG) • Master of Public Health (MPH), University of Sydney • Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Sydney • Currently completing a PhD in Health Economics Consulting • Genea Bella Vista • Parkway San Clinic, Wahroonga • My Health Clinics, Blacktown, Oran Park, Parramatta Operating • Norwest Private Hospital • Westmead Private Hospital • Lakeview Private Hospital Teaching James has taught medical students for over a decade. He is currently a Clinical Lecturer at University of Sydney and Western Sydney University. In addition to clinical responsibilities, this role allows him to develop patient-centred policies to make the birth experience better for women and their families. Additional Information Having worked in the area for the past decade, Dr Brown is enthusiastic about helping people in Sydney’s north-west build their families. He knows it is an area where families work hard to provide the best for their future, and he feels privileged to be able to play a part in helping them achieve those dreams. Dr Brown has not always worked in medicine; he began his career as a radio journalist and marketing professional. He then undertook a role as General Manager at a laser eye surgery practice, which piqued his interest in the clinical side of medicine and prompted him to undertake a medical degree. When he is not working, Dr Brown enjoys putting his golfing skills to the test, as well as spending time with his wife, who works locally as a paediatrician, and family.
I study neurovascular coupling, which is the link between blood flow and neural activity in the brain. When your brain cells become active they require a constant supply of blood to meet the increasing energy demands. My research uses pre-clinical models of human disease to characterise neurovascular function in dementia, and how cardiovascular disease affects the speed, severity, and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In the hope that we may be able to decelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Frances Chen is a General Practitioner working at a women’s community health centre in NSW. She is passionate about providing access to high-quality, trauma-informed healthcare for women, including those who are marginalised and experiencing disadvantage.
Dr Sam Whittle (MBBS(Hons) MClinEpid FRACP) is a senior consultant rheumatologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide and an adjunct senior research fellow at Monash University. He sits on the Executive Committee of the Australia & New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network (ANZMUSC) and is an ANZMUSC Practitioner Fellow, researching ‘living’ evidence in musculoskeletal disease. He has led the development of the Australian Living Guideline for the Pharmacological Management of Inflammatory Arthritis (www.mskguidelines.org) and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (www.jiaguideline.org).