Council 2020 - 2021

Chris has been involved with research with olfactory cells and paraplegia, and is currently involved in head and neck cancer research – his CV includes 50 papers, eight book chapters and 1,600 citations. Chris has done a lot of work in remote Aboriginal communities and was one of the founders of the Deadly Ears program.

“There has not been a public/private surgeon within the AMA leadership team for some time in Queensland. As the VMOs are the major providers of public surgical services for Queensland Health, as well as the private sphere where they do more than half of the total surgery in Australia. They are an important cog in the wheel of health delivery.

The interaction between the medical profession and the federal and state health departments, to the Ministers and potentially the Queensland Premier is very important. The AMA is the only lead organisation for all doctors in Australia. We need interaction with jurisdictions, which is respectful and mature. We also need to be able to present ideas and messages to the community in a way that people can understand.”

Dr Manoharan has had a long and deep history of service for the AMA, both in Queensland and nationally. He has been a member of AMA Queensland’s Branch Council since 2010 representing south-east Queensland and was heavily involved in major policy decisions by AMA Queensland over the years including termination of pregnancy, the Queenlsand SMO contracts crisis, euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, climate change, OHO legislation, medical schools expansions and the issues surrounding scope creed by nurse endoscopists, physician assistants, physiotherapists and pharmacists.

He joined the AMA Queensland Board in 2014 and is a member of its Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and Governance committee. He was an executive member of the Queensland Council of Doctors in Training (CDT) from 2011-2018 and was responsible for designing and implementing the first Resident Hospital Health Check survey in 2016, lead and co-convened the inaugural AMA Queensland Junior Doctor Conference in 2014 and was part of the team responsible for AMA Queensland's well-being program.

At the national level, Dr Manoharan currently serves as a Director of the AMA Board (2015-) and is member of the Medical Board of Australia's Medical Training Survey Steering Committee. He is also a Clinical Reference Lead for the Australian Digital Health Agency, part of the Clinical Governance Committee and was part of the Agency’s Covid-19 Response Taskforce, which led the design and implementation of several digital health initiatives to assist with the national response.

Bav has a very strong interest in medical workforce strategy and planning, advocacy, industrial fairness, and training and wellbeing of our senior and junior doctors. Professionally, he is interested in clinical governance, digital health (in particular better utilisation of digital health technologies for improved patient outcomes), population health (chronic disease and oncological management) and designing Value Based Health Care (VBHC) systems (recently completing the Harvard Business School VBHC Program in Boston). He is currently completing his Master of Public Health and Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA) Qualifications.

“It probably comes as no surprise that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and evolving recovery efforts will need to be the focus for the leadership of the incoming AMA Queensland Executive team and Council."

“2020-2021 is going to be a year replete with challenges for the medical profession in the recovery from Covid-19, but therein lies opportunity as well. We know that our private colleagues (GPs and non-GP Specialists alike) have really been struggling over the last few months and the road ahead will be rough. We will stand beside them as we advocate to preserve the positive system reform that have come from the current pandemic (i.e. telehealth MBS items, electronic prescribing and improved digital systems), but ensure that the deficiencies of these are not precedent to the new baseline. We will also support them to ensure they receive fair and equitable compensation for any work they undertake to assist the load the public system will face as we come out of this crisis. Equally, we must address the significant challenges faced by our doctors in training; our stood-down GP registrars; our residents and PHOs whose attempts at readying themselves for training roles have been disrupted and the ongoing challenges faced by training registrars with interruptions to their training progression and assessments.”

An experienced leader with strategic vision and a solid understanding of governance responsibilities, Dr Chew is the Chair of General Practice Training Queensland and a former Director of the Australian Digital Health Agency. She is a past Vice President and Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Dr Chew is a member of the Professional Services Review Panel and the Medical Board Performance and Professional Standards Panel, and is an assessor with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. She is the RACGP Queensland Provost and a member of Council. An advocate for general practice, Dr Chew serves on a range of committees and working groups focused on the advancement of quality primary care.

“As a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, I have a clear understanding of my responsibilities as Director and Chair, and will work to ensure that the AMA Queensland Board exercises its responsibilities and fiduciary duty to support the association in serving its members. In my various roles representing the profession, I have gained valuable insights into the many challenges facing the medical profession, providing a sound basis for me to support Council to formulate policy and provide direction for the advancement of critical issues affecting Queensland doctors.”

From 2006-2010, Dr Dhupelia was Senior Medical Advisor for Medicare Australia, Health Advisory Branch. Since 2010, Dr Dhupelia works at Queensland Health as well as working as a part time general practitioner. Dr Dhupelia is the Director of Medical and Clinical services of Queensland Country Practice, Queensland Rural Medical Service within the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service; part-time general practitioner in Toowong, Brisbane; Board Director of General Practice Training Queensland; Member of the Clinical Advisory Group of Brisbane North Primary Health Network. His AMA Queensland roles include Board Director, Councillor; and Member of the AMA Queensland Council of General Practice. His Federal AMA roles include Member of the Federal Council, Executive Member of the AMA Council of General Practice and Member of the AMA Council of Rural Doctors. He is also a director on the AMA Queensland Foundation board.

“Having had extensive medical experience in both the public and private sectors, as well as within the federal and state government sectors, I feel I have a good grasp of health policy drivers, ensuring holistic care within a seamless patient journey and improvement strategies in areas such as integration of primary and secondary services in rural areas. As President, I look forward to working within a wide-ranging team and hopefully add value to the fine work already being performed in representation, leadership and advocacy.”

Dr Bandi has a special interest in andrology, urological oncology, prostate brachytherapy, erectile dysfunction and infertility, endourology and lithotripsy. Dr Bandi develops mobile applications for smart phones and virtual reality applications and simulations. He was one of the members of the committee appointed by the Board of Urology of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand to convert the curriculum for trainees to a modular curriculum using current technology due to his expertise in this area. Dr Bandi is the international scientific advisor and marketing director for Urodev and clinical advisor to the multi award winning CancerAid app which is currently the most downloaded cancer app in the US, UK and Australia and won the Best Global Startup and Best Startup for Social Good in 2017 in San Francisco. Dr Bandi has been one of Australia’s most successful fundraisers for the Movember Foundation for the last 11 years and has been the highest individual fundraiser for the last three years. Dr Bandi is the champion, mentor and facilitator of Coder Dojo Mackay – a volunteer group that runs coding classes for children. He is also Clinical Advisor for PHIT (Prescribed Health Initiative Targets) Nutrition and the Chief Medical Officer and one of the Founder Directors of PHIT-LABS, which is developing AI-based applications for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

“I am looking forward to representing the regional doctors from the Capricornia Area, and those of us who work hard in these trying times to balance work and family commitments. I would like to see doctors be more proactive in influencing their own quality of life and set an example for healthy living. I am keen to be a role model to influence a change in the nutrition and activity practices across the wider community."

She has a special interest in aviation medicine. Dr Bondeson is now a partner in a group practice in Margate on the Redcliffe Peninsula where she works full-time. Dr Bondeson is the President of the Redcliffe and District Local Medical Association and serves on the Council of General Practice.

“My intention is to represent the views and voices of the doctors in the Greater Brisbane area. This includes both public and private doctors, specialist and general practitioners, and doctors in training. I will ensure the concerns of our patients and the public are listened to carefully and advocate for those who do not have a voice. Continuing ongoing monitoring of important local and national medical and political issues.”

Dr Boulton is passionate about preventive medicine, continuity of care and ongoing education. Family Doctors Plus holds frequent seminars on empowering patients to manage and understand their health conditions. Dr Boulton is a regular guest on Afternoons with Kat Feeney on ABC Brisbane Radio and is the author of Mum’s Guide to Pregnancy. She is a founding member of the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association and a member of The International Society for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease.

“Opening Family Doctors Plus increased my awareness of the challenges faced by my GP and non-GP specialist colleagues, motivating me to become involved in creating positive change. Primarily, these challenges revolve around providing quality, evidence-based health care in the face of dwindling returns, inadequate MBS rebates and increased competition.”

“My goal on the AMA Queensland Council is to represent and promote the interests of Far North Queensland doctors and practitioners in private general practices, in particular those in rural and remote areas. AMA Queensland also offers a lot in terms of support and advocacy for junior doctors and general practice registrars and I look forward to supporting our members in Far North Queensland in these matters.”

“I am keen to represent regional doctors, and those who work too hard to represent themselves. I would like to see doctors advocate for their own quality of life and set an example of healthy living. I am interested in the role doctors have to play in advocating for change in nutrition and activity practices across their communities."

Dr Ellepola is a recipient of SS Ratnam - Young Gynaecologist Award (SSR - YGA) International award presented by the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the National Society and Demonstrating Leadership Qualities’ and Heart Felt Service Award in recognition of outstanding and caring service. Nominated through the ‘Heartfelt Service Award’ Metro South Health district.

“My vision is not only for AMA to be seen as a world leader for health, but to provide nationally consistent and streamlined health care system that supports its constitutes and wellbeing of our national population. I also believe that the AMA can be a leader in shaping training in our junior medical craft groups, driving clinical quality and influencing health policy.”

“I believe that the AMA is a powerful, important body and a community of members. Championing leadership and advocacy for members, patients and the community in general, is of paramount importance. Personally and professionally, becoming involved in the AMA will provide me a platform to not only benefit others, but also allow me that opportunity to help maintain and uphold the traditions and integrity of the medical profession in which we work."

A former clinical pharmacist, he is also interested in the appropriate use of pharmacy skills in the Australian Health System. He sits on multiple federal AMA and state and national committees. His pet hate is "geographic narcissism" - the cognitive bias that (incorrectly) assumes that rural doctors and health services are inherently inferior to city services because of where they are based.

"There is an assumption by many in the city and in politics that rural doctors are 'stupid' or somehow unable to make it in big city medicine. Nothing could be further from the truth. When we accept that rural practitioners; GP's and non-GP's alike; bring skills and knowledge equal to their city counterparts, we will have a health system that Australians can be proud of."

Dr Hawson served as Director of Oncology and Palliative Care at Redcliffe Hospital, then served a similar role at Nambour Hospital and was a Foundation Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine. In 2008, Queensland Health appointed him as an Eminent Specialist, a title he carried until 2017 when he left public hospital practice. He has worked in private practice intermittently throughout his career as a laboratory haematologist clinical haematologist and medical oncologist. He continues to practice non-malignant haematology at North lakes and Burpengary. Dr Hawson also offers second opinions in his Cancer Second Opinion practice to patients who are confused by their cancer diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis and the emerging area of personalised medicine.

Dr Hawson was Chair of the Redcliffe and District Medical Association from 1999-2000 and is currently on the executive as Secretary. He is President of the Australian Senior Active Doctors Association. Dr Hawson has served on numerous National and State advisory committees including: FRACP Representative, Pathology Committee, Australian Digital Health Agency (2017-18); Medical Oncology Group of Australia Representative, Medicines Australia Advisory Committee (2011-12); Medical Advisory Committee, Australian Lung Cancer Trials Group (2006-10); Oncology Services Advisory Committee to Queensland Health (1996-2002).

“I am passionate about ensuring senior medical professionals can continue to contribute to their communities and their profession as they transition to retirement. Senior active and retired doctors are an underutilised asset in advancing the health of the Australian community. It is imperative that a lifetime of training does not go to waste. I hope to be able to lobby on behalf of our senior members. If a retired judge can run a royal commission, why are we considered past our prime just because we hang up our shingle? Many doctors view their profession as a calling which doesn't cease when practice reduces, employment ends or full registration demands cannot be met.”

“I have a firm belief and commitment to Virchow’s notion that ‘Medicine is a social science and politics is nothing else but medicine on a large scale’. I see the AMA as a modern-day conveyor of that message. My major concern over the many years of working in healthcare, has been the relatively low genuine engagement rates by my colleagues, in the macro healthcare issues. Whilst the reasons for this are multiple and complex, the glue that binds engagement is authentic personal relationships. By this I mean a genuine desire to move outside our own silos, biases and agendas to see things as others see them. The main others are, of course, our patients and the community at large. I strive to always do this. This is the sole value proposition that makes us relevant as a profession.

My hope and desire is to galvanise greater relevance and drive the necessary changes that we must take to navigate the future, rather than have them imposed on us. To succeed we will need to temper our own professional illusory superiority and the Dunning-Kruger effect.”

He is interested in the therapeutic use of ketamine in addictions. Dr Ognyenovits is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ Chapter of Addiction Medicine, and a council member of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs. He is also involved in advocacy to inform drug policy and service development.

As a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland School of Medicine, he contributes to the education of various health professionals. Dr Ognyenovits graduated as doctor of medicine in Budapest, Hungary, initially training in psychiatry. After moving to Australia in 1992, he worked in rural and remote centres across Australia.

“The medical profession needs a strong uniting force as we are experiencing loss on multiple sides. Governments are limiting and giving away areas of our competencies. Lobby groups from other professional bodies claim and take over what we are best trained for which is to serve the public.

At the time of the ‘contract dispute’ when thousands of Queensland doctors expressed their united purpose, we all experienced how well it works when we unite as a profession.

For the last five years, I have been the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of ASMOFQ. There I have experienced how supporting our peers, who are in need of a professional organisation, can achieve substantial results.

I wish to contribute to the work of AMA Council as a councillor to further strengthen our voice and to protect our interests.”

“I pledge to represent the needs of all doctors, but particularly the role and standing of doctors in our hospital health systems. These doctors are under increasing pressure by a bureaucratic health care system, determined to reduce the vital role of doctors in the delivery of health care. I believe that only medically trained doctors have the skills to make the important decisions regarding the management of our patients. Only doctors can determine the important diagnostic tests and treatments options necessary to obtain the best outcomes for our patients. Only doctors can drive the vital relevant medical research and teaching that our public hospitals require. I will work diligently to achieve the best outcomes for all our members and our patients and resist efforts to diminish the role of doctors in health care delivery.”

“General practice is the backbone of the Australian health system but is often overlooked in both the national health agenda and the media. GPs have so much to offer the conversation about primary care, evidence-based first-class health care for our patients and issues facing business owners in general practice.”

Dr Rahman was awarded Membership of The Royal College of Physicians (UK) in 1995, appointed as a Fellow of the Royal College in 2008 and is now a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians.

In 2003 he was awarded Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine at Imperial College, London, (2003) following three years researching mechanisms and novel therapies in acute liver failure at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School & Royal Free Hospitals, London.

His further specialist training included, Institute of Liver Studies & Transplantation, King’s College, St. Thomas’ London, where he was involved in new and innovative treatments of liver diseases, complex reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disorders and functional bowel disease.

“I am passionate about clinical medicine and how it must change to be fit for purpose and relevant to challenges going forward. This includes financial, governmental, governance and professionalism. These challenges require excellent communication skills, trust and relationship nurturing and building. This has to be relevant to all our peers, young, old and across specialties.”

She is actively involved and committed to ongoing glaucoma clinical research, having presented at international meetings. She is committed to teaching and is an active mentor to a number of medical students as well as Ophthalmology trainees. She is passionate about supporting Young Fellows in the transition to working in the Public and Private sectors and is the Queensland Representative of the Young Fellows Advisory Group for her college.

"The Gold Coast is a vibrant community that has attracted a large number of general practitioners and specialists who are passionate about delivery of quality health care to its growing population. Every doctor has a duty to ensure that the standards underpinning medicine are flexible and up to date to reflect the constantly changing economic and medical environment."

Dr Senthuran is also an anaesthetist and Fellow of Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and has an interest in perioperative medicine. He has a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology with research interests in outcomes of critically ill indigenous patients, perioperative advanced care planning and prehabilitation of frail patients prior to major surgery.

"I believe that medical leadership and engagement between administrators and its front line clinicians needs to underpin any drive for efficiency in an era of increasing health care costs. Such engagement needs to be based on shared values transferred from websites where they are proclaimed into every organisational thought, word and deed."

"I have a strong passion for doctors’ mental health and wellbeing, gender equality and empowering junior doctors. Junior doctors make up 30% of the medical workforce. I would like to promote the voices and opinions of junior doctors and ensure we have a seat at the table in healthcare decisions and advocacy."

He has practised in Cairns in both the public and private sector ever since, apart from a one-year sabbatical to the United Kingdom. He is currently in full-time private practice in Cairns. David has done outreach clinics in Innisfail and Weipa. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and a fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. His primary qualification is a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Queensland. He has been involved in teaching medical students from James Cook University.

“My intention on the AMA Queensland Council is to represent the views and needs of Far North Queensland doctors by acting as a conduit for communication between them and the AMA organisation.”

Dr Taylor has had a passion for advocacy and volunteering for organisations since medical school, and has being involved in her local medical society, the Australian Medical Students Association, the Townsville Medical Staff Society and now the AMA Queensland Council of Doctors in Training.

“During my time on AMA Queensland State Council, I hope to be a strong representative voice for Doctors in Training and to ensure that junior doctors, who are working on the front lines, are involved in creating the innovative solutions our healthcare system needs to continue moving forward and sustain a growing population.”

“I remain as keen as ever about general practice, and I’m keen to improve the healthcare of Queenslanders through the work of AMA Queensland.”

Dr Yim plays an active role in medical education for the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School and GP Registrars. Locally, he is the President of the Fraser Coast Local Medical Association.

"I hope to bring enthusiasm and representation to address issues facing regional Queensland. I intend to advocate for all doctors and to ensure the high standards of the clinical training, which I hope will in turn improve the health of our communities and patients."

“Leadership and advocacy are integral elements to the core of medicine, to speak for those who need a voice, to connect and unify within our profession and to continue to critically examine healthcare. I hope to engage medical students in issues that will affect our patients into the future and to ensure that people feel their voice is important in advocacy.”