Contact Details
Dr. Sally Cockburn
Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Sally Cockburn, also known as “Dr. Feelgood,” is an Australian GP, health advocate, and media personality. She is an adjunct senior lecturer at Monash Uni and is well known for her work in health education through radio, print and television. Dr. Cockburn has hosted talkback radio programs, including Pillowtalk and her long running show Talking Health on 3AW. She has also appeared on TV programs such as Good Morning Australia and Sunrise. Passionate about making health information accessible, she combines medical expertise with a warm, engaging approach to break down complex health topics for the public.
Dr. Pooja Sharma
Female Pattern Hair Loss. Diagnosis and Management – Where are we now?
With over 19 years of experience in treating a wide range of hair and skin disorders, Dr. Pooja Sharma is a highly skilled and dedicated dermatologist. Currently serving as the Director at Renaissance Dermatology, Dr. Sharma also practices at Sinclair Dermatology and Austin Hospital in Melbourne. In addition to her clinical work, she plays a key role in training registrars, specializing in hair-related conditions and skin cancer surgery.Dr. Sharma is committed to providing personalized and evidence-based care to her patients, helping them achieve optimal outcomes in both hair restoration and dermatological health.
Dr. Deepani Rathnayake
Female Pattern Hair Loss. Diagnosis and Management – Where are we now?
Dr. Deepani Rathnayake has 20 years’ experience in Dermatology. She is a Director of Renaissance Dermatology Doncaster and also practice in Sinclair Dermatology Melbourne.She earned her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) with honours from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2001, receiving the Barr Kumar Kulasinghe Memorial Prize for Surgery. She was also the recipient of 6th Dr D A Gunawardana Memorial Gold Medal awarded by Sri Lankan College of Dermatologist. She Became a Fellow of Australian College of Dermatologist in 2015.
She had been working as a Hair Loss Specialist for 15 years. Has Multiple publications on Hair loss disorders, Dermoscopy Hair. Was a member of the Australian Alopecia Areata Expert Consensus Statement.
Dr. Clare Myers
Endometriosis – Development, Diagnosis & Management Tools
Specialist Gynaecologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon MBBS (Hons) FRANZCOGDr Myers trained as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. She then went on to complete an AGES advanced fellowship in laparoscopic gynaecology. She has a particular interest in endometriosis.
She is the founder of Elgin House, a multidisciplinary clinic in Melbourne. She has been in private practice for almost 15 years. Dr Myers has held multiple public consultant appointments including Head Of Unit (Gynae) at Western Health, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Health. She was also the Clinical Lead of the Minimally Invasive Surgical Unit at Western Health.
Her private practice is almost entirely focused on complex endometriosis. Alongside Mr Jin Cho (colorectal surgeon) at Western Health and Epworth Hospital they have honed, transformed and developed surgical ways of dealing with endometriosis.
Clare Hunt
Implementing Genetic Carrier Screening in your practice
BSc, GDipGenetCouns, Genetic Counsellor FHGSA Clare is an accomplished genetic counsellor, and is Acting Group leader for the reproductive genetic counselling team at Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS). Clare has more than 14 years of clinical experience, working with patients and families seeking support across general genetics, familial cancer and has been involved in reproductive screening at VCGS since 2016. Clare is a member of the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors (ASGC) and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA). She has contributed to significant research in the field, including the Australian Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening Project, known as Mackenzie's Mission. This project aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a nationwide, couple based genetic carrier screening program. She has played an active role in how VCGS delivers reproductive screening, and has co-authored multiple publications on reproductive genetic carrier screening and non-invasive prenatal testing.
Dr. Anthony Richards
Clinical Vignettes of Gynaecological Oncology : Case Studies and Outcomes
Dr. Anthony (Tony) Richards is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with subspecialty qualifications in Gynaecological Oncology. He currently serves as the Clinical Lead in Gynaecology Oncology and Colposcopy at Sunshine Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Richards completed his Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Oncology subspecialty training in Sydney and has previously been in private practice in New South Wales. His areas of expertise include colposcopy and cervical pathology, gynaecological cancers, complex benign gynaecological surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, and familial cancer/risk reduction surgery.
He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer aligned with the University of Melbourne and is actively involved in multidisciplinary gynaecological cancer care and clinical research.
Dr. Richards operates at St Vincents Fitzroy and Frances Perry House. He consults privately at Elgin House, with locations in Carlton, Braybrook and Williamstown.
Dr. Pratibha James
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Women
Dr Pratibha James is currently serving as a specialist Microbiologist at 4Cyte Pathology. She has over 25 years of experience working as a specialist Microbiologist in Public and Private Pathology laboratories, reference laboratories involved in antimicrobial testing including antibiotic resistance, HIV, Tuberculosis diagnosis & research. Her roles have included heading Bacteriology, Infectious serology and Molecular sections with an active role in the development of serological, molecular tests and Microbiology registrar training. Her special interests are in antimicrobial stewardship, viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.
Dr. Sonia Davison
Menopause: 2025 Update
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. Alice Rudd
Assessment and Management of Vulvar Disorders
Dr Alice Rudd, dermatologist affiliated with the Alfred Hospital and private practice in St Kilda East. She’s a general and cosmetic dermatologist with special interest in women’s dermatologic issues including adult acne, rosacea, hormonal skin issues and of course vulval disease.