See below our 2024 programme speakers
Dr. Surjit Tarafdar
Staff Specialist in the Medical Assessment Unit and the Department of Nephrology at Blacktown Hospital and a conjoint senior lecturer in Medicine at the University of Western Sydney
Surjit Tarafdar
Dr. Surjit Tarafdar works at Blacktown Hospital in Sydney and is also a conjoint senior lecturer in Medicine at the University of Western Sydney. He also holds the position of visiting Faculty in the department of Nephrology in Kasturba Medical College at Manipal, India since 2018.
Dr. Tarafdar has edited ‘Nephrology: A Comprehensive Guide to Renal Medicine’ published by Wiley-Blackwell in Feb 2020. A study guide for medical post-graduation trainees, this book has twenty chapters covering general nephrology, dialysis, and transplantation.
Dr. Tarafdar also conceptualized and co-authored the 1st edition of “Passing the FRACP Written Examination- Questions and Answers” published by Wiley-Blackwell in October 2013.
Prof. Sanjay Swaminathan
Immunologist and Clinical Dean, Blacktown Clinical School,School of Medicine, WSU, NSW
Prof. Sanjay Swaminathan
Dr. Swaminathan is a clinician scientist with wide experience in the clinical, research and teaching spheres. He is a Senior Staff Specialist and Head of the Department of Immunology and Allergy at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals. His clinical interests span a range of immunological conditions including, allergic disorders and secondary immune deficiencies. His PhD was completed under the guidance of Professor Anthony Kelleher (Director, Kirby Institute, UNSW), where he explored the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenicity of HIV-1 infection. He found a novel link between the expression of a family of highly expressed miRNAs (the let-7 family) and a broadly anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, that was published in the Journal of Immunology and has been cited >100 times since 2012. He was a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research under the guidance of Dr H. Clifford Lane, Deputy Director of NIAID and Dr. Tomozumi Imamichi.
Dr. Andrew Hannaford
Neurologist and Neurophysiologist
Dr. Andrew Hannaford
Dr. Andrew Hannaford is a Neurologist and Neurophysiologist specialising in neuromuscular neurology. Dr. Hannaford BMedSci, MBBS, FRACP was trained at the Royal Prince Alfred, Concord, and Westmead Hospitals in Sydney where he received subspecialty training in neuromuscular neurology, neurophysiology, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. He assesses and treats all neurological conditions and is trained in the use of injectable therapies for neurological disorders such as chronic migraine, spasticity, cervical dystonia, and hyperhidrosis. He is a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney evaluating the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of Muscular Dystrophy and Motor Neurone Disease.
Dr. Amit Mishra
Acute Physician and Medical Lead Eating Disorders at Lismore Base Hospital, NSW
Dr. Amit Mishra
Dr. Amit Mishra, Acute Physician and Medical Lead Eating Disorders at Lismore Base Hospital, Northern New South Wales Local Health District. Dr. Mishra got his MBBS and Diplomate of Medicine in India and then moved to UK where he spent 16 years in the NHS specialising in Acute Medicine.
Dr. Mishra moved to Australia in 2016 and has been leading the AMU team at Lismore Base hospital since then with special interest in Stroke and Eating Disorders. Dr. Mishra took over the Eating Disorders Medical Lead position in the LHD since 2023 and has a special interest in Cardiovascular Aspects of Eating Disorders and Strokes.
Dr. Ritam Prasad
Haematologist and Director of Haemaphilis Treatment Centre, Newcastle, NSW
Dr. Ritam Prasad
Dr. Ritam Prasad is a Clinical and Laboratory Haematologist. He has an interest in all aspects of hematology.
Dr. Prasad has worked in the field of hematology for more than 15 years. He is a Senior Staff Specialist with NSW Health Pathology and Calvary Mater Hospital. Dr. Prasad has previously been the Director of Laboratory Haematology at NSW Health Pathology (Hunter and New England) and Royal Hobart Hospital.
Prof. Catherine Stedman
Clinical Director of the Gastroenterology Department, Waitaha Canterbury
Prof. Catherine Stedman
Professor Catherine Stedman undertook undergraduate medical education through the University of Otago and completed dual specialist training in gastroenterology and clinical pharmacology at Christchurch Hospital, and Westmead Hospital in Sydney. PhD research was in molecular pharmacology and cholestasis through the University of Sydney at the Storr Liver Unit (Sydney), with project work also undertaken at the Salk Institute (California), and consulting work in the global drug safety division of a major pharmaceutical company.
Her current appointments are at Christchurch Hospital as Clinical Director of the Gastroenterology Department, Waitaha Canterbury, and as consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, as well as Clinical Professor of Medicine for University of Otago, Christchurch. Her research interests over the past 10 years have included new antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, and she has been a key researcher in this field as a principal investigator in over 60 clinical trials including early phase trials, and many proof of concept trials of new antiviral therapy. Other research interests include epidemiology of autoimmune liver diseases, with key work understanding the impact of these diseases on morbidity and mortality of people affected by these conditions.
Catherine is current President of the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology.
Assoc. Prof. Viraj Kariyawasam
Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Blacktown Hospital, NSW
Dr. Viraj Kariyawasam
A/Professor Viraj Kariyawasam is a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Blacktown hospital. Dr. Kariyawasam provides medical consultations at Complete Health Australia centres in Bella Vista and Rouse Hill. He is also a visiting gastroenterologist at Concord Hospital, Norwest Private Hospital and Pennant Hills Day Surgery. He performs endoscopic procedures at Pennant Hills Day Surgery, Norwest Private Hospital and at Blacktown Hospital. After completing his gastroenterology training at Gosford, Westmead and Concord Hospitals, Dr. Kariyawasam obtained the fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2011.
He then completed an advance therapeutic endoscopy fellowship at Concord Hospital and embarked on a clinical research fellowship in IBD at the world-renowned IBD center at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in the UK. He is a Conjoint Associate Professor with University of Western Sydney. Dr. Kariyawasam’s practice encompasses all aspects of gastroenterology and liver disease, with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and advanced therapeutic endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic mucosal resection, stricture dilatation, insertion of stents and endoscopic ultrasound). He has a special interest in cancer screening with emphasis on prevention and early detection of colorectal, oesophageal and stomach cancer. He offers advanced surveillance techniques for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and has expertise in removal of precancerous lesions from the stomach and large polyps from the colon endoscopically.
Prof. Roger Chen
Endocrinologist, St Vincent’s Hospital, NSW
Prof. Roger Chen
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.
Dr. Andrew Emerson
Geriatrician, Westmead Hospital, NSW
Dr. Andrew Emerson
Dr. Andrew Emerson, is a geriatrician with an interest in cognitive disorders in the elderly, falls and frailty. He is a clinical lecturer with the University of Sydney and works at a large tertiary hospital in both acute geriatric medicine and rehabilitation.
Dr. Preeti Choudhary
Cardiologist, Westmead & Blacktown Hospitals, NSW
Dr. Preeti Choudhary
Dr. Preeti Choudhary is a consultant cardiologist at Westmead, Blacktown, Auburn and Westmead Private Hospitals. She completed her cardiology training at Westmead Hospital and PhD at the University of Sydney. She then completed a fellowship in adult congenital heart disease at The Heart Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and then a fellowship in cardiac MRI at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London before returning to Australia in 2017.
Dr. Ronald Castelino
Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy
Dr. Ronald Castelino
Dr. Ronald Castelino is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy. He is a practising renal pharmacist at Blacktown Hospital with a track record in translational research relevant to renal medicine. He is also interested in health services research that focuses on developing interventions to improve medication safety and quality use of medicines. Ron completed his PhD from the University of Sydney in 2011 and moved to the University of Tasmania (UTAS, 2011-2016) as a Lecturer in Therapeutics at the School of Medicine. At UTAS, he was involved in teaching therapeutics to 3rd & 4th year Pharmacy students and 3rd year Medicine students. He returned to the University of Sydney as a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy in 2016.
Dr. Balaji Kalband
Neurologist
Dr. Balaji Kalband
Dr. Kalband is a Neurologist with over 12 years of experience in clinical neurology and neurophysiology. Besides stroke and general neurology, his special interests and expertise include epilepsy and seizure disorders including clinical diagnosis, EEGs and long-term pharmacotherapy, headache management including diagnosis and pharmacotherapy with emphasis on prevention of migraine, Botox therapy for migraine and related disorders, neurophysiology and management of neuropathic pain including carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia among others.
Dr. Nicole Gilroy
Senior Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases at Westmead Hospital
Prof. Nicole Gilroy
Nicky Gilroy is a Senior Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases at Westmead Hospital. She is a past member of the national Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI) and former Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Safety of Vaccines, an advisory group for the Therapeutic Goods Administration. She has served as an Infectious Diseases consultant to the Blood & Marrow Transplant Network NSW for over a decade. Her professional interests include Hospital Infection control and prevention, clinical epidemiology, the control of vaccine preventable diseases and the management of complex infections in those with impaired immunity.
Dr. Rajiv Rattan
Radiologist and Clinical Director, Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, CCLHD, NSW
Dr. Rajiv Rattan
Dr. Rattan trained at the University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi, India. He received his radiology training from the University of Rajasthan, India. Rajiv came to Australia in 2008 and has since then worked as a Senior Staff Specialist at the Central Coast Local Health district. He is also a conjoint lecturer at the School of Medicine at the University of Newcastle. Dr. Rattan is passionate about interventional radiology and performs biopsies, drainages, joint and spine injections as well as vascular access. He has regularly presented in domestic and international conferences as well as contributed chapters to books in radiology. Dr. Rattan has been associated with the Sydney Interventional Radiology since its inception. His other area of interest is radiology education, and he plays an active role in teaching radiology trainees.
Dr. Jamie Cham
Cardiologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Dr. Jamie Cham
Jamie is a cardiologist trained through the Royal Prince Alfred network, and currently completing a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology at Liverpool Hospital. He is passionate about medical education and has won the Tara Mackenzie award for best educator in the RPA BPT program on two occasions. His interests are all aspects of general cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology, and is an advocate for equitable access to healthcare for all Australians, particularly those from rural areas.
Dr. Anna Duke
Endocrinologist, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals, NSW
Dr. Anna Duke
Dr. Anna Duke is an Endocrinologist with Specialist Services and a Staff Specialist in the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals.
She undertook her initial medical training in the United States, obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Iowa and completing Internal Medicine training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She moved to Australia in 2008 and completed her training in Endocrinology at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals.
Dr. Duke has clinical expertise in a broad range of general endocrine disorders. She has a special interest in diabetes mellitus, particularly Type 1 diabetes and the utilisation of insulin pumps. She also has a strong interest in women’s health issues including polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid disorders, menopause and the management of infertility.
Dr. Duke is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a member of the Endocrine Society of Australia, the Endocrine Society (USA), the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society.
Dr. Duke has public clinics at Blacktown Hospital and consults privately in rooms at Norwest Private Hospital and the UWS University Clinic at Blacktown Hospital.
Dr. Annika Smith
Dermatologists and Consultant Dermatologist at St Vincent’s and Westmead Hospitals
Dr. Annika Smith
Dr. Annika Smith is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and Consultant Dermatologist at St Vincent’s and Westmead Hospitals and several private clinics in Sydney, including the Melanoma Institute and the Skin Hospital Darlinghurst. Annika undertook training at the prestigious St John’s Institute of Dermatology London, followed by further sub-specialty training in New York. Annika also holds a FRACP in General Medicine. Dr. Smith has a special interest in complex medical dermatology, including clinical and research interests in chronic inflammatory skin disease, along with skin cancer diagnostics, management and prevention. She has been published in local and international dermatology journals, has presented at national and international conferences and has co-authored several book chapters in the field of dermatology.
Dr. Tessa Weir
Endocrinologist, Nepean – Blue Mountain Hospitals and Clinical Associate Lecturer, University of Sydney
Dr. Tessa Weir
Dr. Tessa Weir is a consultant Endocrinologist and Staff Specialist with the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Nepean-Blue Mountains Hospitals and a clinical associate lecturer with the University of Sydney.
Dr. Weir’s clinical expertise covers a broad range of general endocrine disorders, with a special interest in obstetric medicine. Currently, Dr. Weir is undertaking her PhD with the University of Sydney focusing on developing novel approaches in utilising available clinical data to improve pregnancy outcomes and exploring how maternal obesity influences placental function in gestational diabetes.
Dr. Weir holds public clinics at Nepean Hospital and consults privately in rooms in Kingswood.
Dr. Poorani Muruganantham
Consultant Geriatrician at Westmead Hospital
Dr. Poorani Muruganantham
Dr. Poorani Muruganantham is a Consultant Geriatrician at Westmead Hospital, having completed her training in geriatric medicine at Westmead Hospital. Additionally, she holds a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Sydney. Dr. Muruganantham has played a key role in establishing the Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) outreach service at Westmead Hospital. She is dedicated to delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care to older individuals.