Current members
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Paediatric nephrology, epidemiology
MBChB, DCH, MMed(Clin Epi), FRACP, PhD, AAHMSProfessor Craig is Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University. He is a paediatric nephrologist/clinical epidemiologist, with research focussed on improving the health of people with chronic kidney disease, children, and the health and well-being of Indigenous people. He has published > 750 papers, has an h-index of 83, with > 35000 cites (Scopus).
His awards include International Distinguished Medal of the National (US) Kidney Foundation, TJ Neale Award for Outstanding Contribution to Nephrological Science, and is a member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science. He is the Coordinating Editor of the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Group and immediate past-President of the Australia-New Zealand Society of Nephrology.
He is a member of the NHMRC Advisory Group on the Synthesis and Translation of Research Evidence, NHMRC Health Translation Advisory Committee, a member of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, the Medicare Services Advisory Committee, and the Life Savings Drug Program Expert Panel. He is a past Chair of the Steering Group of Cochrane, is a past member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Structural Review of NHMRC’s Grant Program, past non-executive board member of Kidney Health Australia and past member of the WHO expert review panel for global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property. -
Thoracic, sleep medicine
MBBS, PhD, FRACPProfessor Kwun Fong is a thoracic and sleep physician at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH), and professor with the University of Queensland (UQ) School of Medicine. He is the Clinical Manager of the Pulmonary Malignancy Unit at TPCH. Professor Fong is also the Director of the UQ Thoracic Research Centre, which undertakes molecular, genomic, and translational research in lung diseases.
He was inaugural Chair of the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group and serves as Chair of the Australian Lung Foundation's Lung Cancer Consultative Group, Co-Editor of the Cochrane Lung Cancer Review Group and is a Co-Deputy Editor for the Journal of Thoracic Diseases.
Professor Fong is an internationally respected clinician and researcher in thoracic and sleep medicine. His skills in lung disease are important given the number of co-dependent applications to MSAC and PBAC, particularly for non small cell lung cancer. -
Health economics
Sarah Norris is an Associate Professor of Practice, Health Technology Assessment, at the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data at the University of Sydney. She holds a BSc(Hons) in Physiology, a PhD in Pharmacology, and a Graduate Certificate in Health Economics.
Sarah has more than 30 years’ experience in medical research, health economics and the use of different types of evidence to inform clinical practice and health policy. She has experience across a broad range of health technologies and services (including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic tests and public health programmes) and clinical areas. Sarah’s research interests encompass the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of emerging health technologies, with a focus on genomics and digital health.
Associate Professor Norris has served on MSAC ESC since 2013 and on MSAC since 2018.
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Cardiology, epidemiology
Professor Walter Abhayaratna is a senior staff specialist, consultant cardiologist and Clinical Director of Medicine, Canberra Hospital and Health Services. His PhD at the Australian National University was in the field of cardiovascular epidemiology and echocardiography, and he completed a 3-year fellowship in the Echocardiography Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. He holds a number of NHMRC research grants for clinical research into the prevention of cardiovascular disease and is the Director of Clinical Trials at ACT Health. He is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Australian National University.
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General practice
Dr Lorraine Anderson is an Aboriginal doctor and Medical Director at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services in Broome. Lorraine gained her primary degree in Medicine and Public Health at The University of Auckland in New Zealand, followed by post graduate qualifications in Child Health, Palliative Medicine and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector General Practice.
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Academic pharmacist
Professor Jo-anne Brien was appointed as the inaugural chair in Clinical Pharmacy (St Vincent’s Hospital) at the University of Sydney in 2000, and continued in this role until 2020. She is now an Honorary Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School at The University of Sydney. Professor Brien is an Adjunct Professor in the St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School, University of New South Wales. Professor Brien is a member of the Medical Services Advisory Committee.
In her early career, Professor Brien was working as a clinical pharmacist in Oncology Pharmacy in Sydney, and then undertook postgraduate clinical research training in the United States, working in academic research units with a focus on pharmacokinetics in cancer and returned to an academic appointment at Monash University in 1992.
Professor Brien was Chair of the St Vincent’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee for 15 years, and was Deputy Chair of the St Vincent’s Hospital Drug and Therapeutics Committee from 2000 until 2019. Other roles have included membership of the Management Committee of the New South Wales (NSW) Therapeutic Advisory Group, the Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, Chairmanship of the NSW Branch of Society of Hospital Pharmacists Australia. Professor Brien was Associate Editor for the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice and was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research from 2006 to 2013.
In 2006 Professor Brien was awarded the ‘Best Consultant Tutor’ in the St Vincent’s Clinical School, and in 2008 was awarded the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia Medal of Merit. Professor Brien has supervised 40 postgraduate research students in the areas of Quality Use of Medicines and Health Services research. -
General practice
Dr Eleanor Chew is a specialist general practitioner. She was a member of the MBS Review Taskforce, undertaking a review of the Medical Benefits Schedule for alignment with contemporary clinical evidence and practice. She served on the Primary Health Care Advisory Group and is on the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Advisory Committee. She is Board Chair of General Practice Training Queensland and Chair of Board and Council of the Australian Medical Association Queensland. She was on the Australian Digital Health Agency Board and was past Vice President and Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She has extensive experience representing and sharing the perspective of primary care at many different forums across the health sector. In 2019, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine in the field of general practice.
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Health economics
Professor Louisa Collins is the Group Lead of Health Economics at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Louisa is a health economist and holds a PhD in Public Health, Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Economics. Louisa has 20 years’ health economics experience performing economic evaluations, decision-analytic modelling and applied economic research. She predominantly works in cancer economics and her current research are in the areas of skin cancer prevention, genomic medicine, supportive care interventions for cancer survivors and the financial burden of cancer to families. Prior to 2016, she undertook health technology assessments commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health for Medicare funding decisions.
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General surgery
Emeritus Professor David Fletcher AM Graduated MBBS. University of West Australia 1970, General Surgical Fellowship Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 1974, Upper G.I./Hepato-biliary and Pancreatic/Endoscopy training Royal Post Graduate Medical School and Hammersmith Hospital London (1977-1980), Associate Professor of Surgery Austin Hospital 1980-94 where was a member of the Victorian Liver Transplant team and involved in introducing Laparoscopic Surgery to Australia and New Zealand in 1990. Former President Surgical Research Society Australasia, Chair Upper GI Section RACS, Foundation Chair Endosurgery Group RACS. Professor of Surgery University of West Australia (1994 - 2020, Emeritus Professor 2020 - current), Director Surgical Services Fremantle Hospital 1996 - 2014, member of its Board of management 1995 - 1998, Chair Fremantle Hospital Clinical Staff Association 2011-2015. Member Clinical Casemix Committee Australia (1999-2004), member Classification Clinical Advisory Group of Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (2016 current), inaugural Board Member National Institute Clinical Studies (N.I.C.S.) 2000-2005 established to close the gap between current and best practice. Member of Reid Committee (2004) planning WA Health Care and then on the committee developing the new West Australian Tertiary Fiona Stanley Hospital as well as planning service provision for the South Metropolitan region. Head of General Surgery, Lead Surgeon and inaugural Chair of Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group Clinical Staff Association (2015-2024). Research M.D. (1985) Melbourne on gut endocrinology with research since in surgical epidemiology (both N.H.M.R.C supported) and now health services research. Elected Councillor of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (2015-2024) during which Chair Environmental Sustainability Working Party, Deputy Chair Health Policy and Advocacy Committee, Deputy Chair Fellowship Services Committee, member Professional Standards Committees, former Chair Board of Regional Chairs, inaugural Chair Surgical Directors Section (2015 – 2020). Appointed member of Medical Services Advisory Committee (2016-current). Made Honorary Life Member Society of American Gastrointestinal Surgeons (SAGES) 1998 for International role in laparoscopy/endoscopy and awarded A.M. for services to GI surgery, teaching and research. Retired as Head of Department FSFHG 2020, retired from active surgery 2022 but continue working part time in administration, supervising/publishing research and mentoring medical students and surgical trainees.
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Genetics, molecular pathology
Dr Janice Fletcher is a recently retired paediatrician, biochemical geneticist and genetic pathologist. Dr Fletcher provides expertise in the field of paediatrics, laboratory and clinical genetics, newborn screening and inborn errors of metabolism.
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Genetic pathology and genomics
Dr Melanie Galea is a consultant genetic pathologist and Director of Genetics at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Sonic Healthcare Australia. Dr Galea is a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) in Genetic Pathology, and a medical graduate from the University of Sydney. Dr Galea has served on multiple professional and governmental advisory groups and committees throughout her pathology career. Notably, she is a member of the RCPA Genetics Advisory Committee. Dr Galea plays an active role in genetic pathology training and supervision and was the inaugural RCPA National Coordinator for Genetic Pathology Training and an examiner for the RCPA. She is an advocate for the discipline of genetics, and is an ambassador for Pathology Awareness Australia. Dr Galea is an investigator on multiple research projects, focusing on the translation of genetic testing into clinical practice. She has a special interest in the application of genetic technologies to clinical medicine, particularly in paediatric and reproductive medicine contexts.
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General practice
MMBS, FRACGP, MHL, DCHDr Walid Jammal is a general practitioner in well-established family practice in Western Sydney. He has various clinical and non-clinical interests including ethics, as well as a post-graduate Masters in Health Law. He has a keen interest in quality and safety in health care, health policy, health reform and health economics, as well as innovative models of care in primary care. He has been involved in various advisory committees focused on health reform for many years, including co-chairing the Primary Care Reform Steering Group which informed the development of the 10-year Primary Care Plan, and a member of the former Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
He is currently co-chair of the GP Advisory Committee for the Agency for Clinical Innovation (NSW Health); Member of the Western Sydney Primary Health Network Board; and member of the Western Sydney Local Health District Board; and member of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Board. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sydney School of Medicine. -
Consumer representative
Ms Eileen Jerga AM is a consumer representative on MSAC and the Health Technology Assessment Consumer Consultative Committee.
She previously served on the Department of Health and Aged Care Vascular Prostheses Advisory Group (VPCAG), the Cardiac Prostheses Advisory Group (CPCAG) and the PICO Advisory Sub Committee (PASC) of MSAC for several years. Eileen has also been a member of several MBS Review Clinical Committees, Working Groups and Implementation groups, as well as Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee Post Market Reviews.
Eileen is currently a Community member on the Medical Board of Australia with a special interest in English Language Standards for International Medical Graduates. She is a past community member of the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Board and a past community director of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Australian Medical Council and the ACT Veterinary Board.
Eileen holds qualifications in the Arts and Business administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Eileen has held executive roles in health administration and health promotion for many years. She was CEO of the National Heart Foundation ACT for seven years and has been the National Marketing Manager for Diabetes Australia and President and Vice President of the Stroke Association.
Eileen was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1996 for her contribution to social welfare and advocacy. -
Epidemiology
M.B.B.S, B.Med.Sci, FRACP, M.Med – Clin. Epi., PhDAssociate Professor Suzanne Mahady is a senior staff specialist, consultant gastroenterologist at Royal Melbourne Hospital and adjunct senior research fellow in the School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine at Monash University. She holds a Masters degree and PhD in clinical epidemiology (University of Sydney) and has expertise in teaching epidemiology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She is the Chair of the International Endpoint Adjudication Committee for Clinically Significant Bleeding for the ASPREE and ASPREE-XT clinical trials, with publication in New England Journal of Medicine and others. She has research interests in clinical epidemiology of gastrointestinal disorders and evidence-based health care.
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Consumer representative
Ms Gillian Mason is a proudly disabled and chronically ill healthcare consumer advocate and science communicator. She is a consumer representative on MSAC, a physiotherapist with 15 years' clinical experience, and a clinician-researcher who brings a dual patient-clinician perspective to the design of clinical trials in community-based rehabilitation approaches and digital health. At Hunter Medical Research Institute, with the University of Newcastle, Gillian manages the Stroke Research Register (Hunter) and provides strategic advice, training and mentorship around consumer and community involvement in healthcare research for stakeholders "on both sides of the bedside", locally and nationally. She has worked with the Stroke Foundation to develop training packages for researchers and consumers about effectively working together on research teams. She served as the communications coordinator for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Repair for several years and is a current board Member of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health.
Gillian is passionate about improving access, inclusion and equity in healthcare for consumers and workforce, and in 2021 she was one of 25 Australian women to be awarded the inaugural Brilliant Women in Digital Health Award. -
Diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine, health economics, epidemiology
Professor Rachael Moorin is Professor of Health Systems and Health Economics at Curtin University and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Western Australia. Rachael is a past Director of the Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health, the International Health Data Linkage Network and has been a member of the Evaluation Sub-Committee of MSAC since 2010. Prior to her move to academia Rachael was a Diagnostic Radiographer and Nuclear Medicine Technologist having held several senior positions in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. Rachael's research interests include epidemiology of health service use in various population groups; equity in and access to health care services and the effect of health policy on equity, access and outcomes of health care services. Rachael is considered one of the leading authorities on using linked administrative health data in applied epidemiological and economic research.
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Pathology
Professor Sandra O'Toole is a Senior Staff Specialist pathologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Clinical Professor at Sydney Medical School (Sydney University) and a visiting scientist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia in Anatomical Pathology including scope of practice in molecular pathology, and gained her PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2008. She has particular research and clinical expertise in breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma as well as in immune biomarkers and molecular pathology.
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Medical oncology
Dr Adrian Pokorny is a medical oncologist at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and a visiting medical oncologist and Lead in Oncology at Alice Springs Hospital. He has a PhD in health policy and ethics exploring interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and cancer physicians.
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Nuclear medicine
Dr Stuart Ramsay is senior staff specialist in PET/CT and Nuclear Medicine (including radionuclide therapy) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. He previously worked for 20 years in Nuclear Medicine and cardiac imaging based in Townsville, where he was also Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at JCU and consultant physician at the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service (TAIHS). He is chair of the Queensland Radiation Advisory Council and member of the scientific committee of the Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials network (ARTnet). He was previously a board member of the Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists and a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ Rural and Remote Taskforce.
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Anaesthesiology
FAICD MB BS (Hons) FANZCA MHPol MClSDr Joanna Sutherland is an Honorary Medical Officer Anaesthetist at Coffs Harbour Health Campus and a Conjoint Associate Professor with the University of New South Wales Rural Medical School.
She was an appointed member of the NSW Mid North Coast Local Health District Governing Board (2010-2021) and a Director of the NSW North Coast Primary Health Network (2015-2021). Dr Sutherland served as a member of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce (2018-2021) and chaired the Anaesthesia Clinical Committee. She is the Chair of the Safety and Quality Committee of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. Her clinical and research interests include safe sedation administration and competency-based training.
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General surgery
Professor David Watters is Alfred Deakin Professor of Surgery at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. He is also Director of Surgery at Safer Care Victoria (SCV) and has just finished a two-year role in leading the Perioperative Learning Health Network supporting the Victorian Surgical Recovery and Reform Process post pandemic. He is committed to improving perioperative care before, during and after surgery and is keen to support all disciplines involved across the patient journey.
At the University Hospital Geelong, he specialises in general, colorectal and endocrine surgery. He is a Past President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (2015-2016), having spent nine years on their Council from 2007. In 2022, he completed a three-year term as Chair of the inaugural Victorian Perioperative Consultative Council (2019-2022). He chaired the General Surgical sub-committee for the MBS Review (2017-2018) and has been a member of the Clinical Implementation Reference Group to support Prosthesis Reform.
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