Dr Ben Abbot is a Surgical Rural Generalist / Obstetrician who has been working for the Goyder’s Line Medical Practice since 2007.
Dr Abbot has a Bachelor of Medicine, a Bachelor of Surgery and a Diploma of Obstetrics. He is currently a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and a Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. Dr Abbot also is involved in junior doctor training through ACRRM.

CEO
Melanoma Patients Australia

MBBS(Hons), BMedSci, FRACGP, FSCCA

Dr Charles Ayesa is a Fellow and College Censor of the SCCA and works exclusively in skin cancer medicine in Sydney, including working as a VMO at the Sydney Adventist Hospital. He is a blog author, college examiner and course author and presenter, including the Advanced Surgical workshop and Surgical Masterclass as well as the Senior Tutor for the Advanced Clinical Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery. He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer with the University of Queensland Master of Medicine - Skin Cancer program as well as an Honorary Senior Lecturer for the Macquarie University 3rd year GP intensive stream medical student program.

A/Prof Siddhartha (Sid) Baxi is a Radiation Oncologist on the Gold Coast, working within the cancer care network of specialists at John Flynn Hospital and Tweed Valley Hospital. His academic links are with Griffith University, Southern Cross University and Menzies School of Health Research. Having recently brought RheniumSCT, a non-invasive, single session treatment of skin cancer to Australia, Sid led the sentinel multi-national clinical trial on this treatment, the EPIC study.

He has experience with a range of modern radiation therapy techniques. His extra-curricular clinical work has focused on teaching medical students and trainee oncologists. Sid's research capacity focuses on collaborative links surround universities. Many of his projects have focused on research and service development around regional/remote Australia and Aboriginal healthcare. He continues to work to support in developing medical innovations and is a clinical reference expert for Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee.

CEO
Skin Cancer College Australasia
Victoria Beedle is a highly accomplished CEO, Director, and Senior Strategist with a focus on ‘for purpose’ outcomes. She is experienced in working with Boards of Directors on business strategy, governance, and risk.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Skin Cancer College Australasia, Victoria leads a team focused on the critical role that primary care practitioners play in skin cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care across Australia and New Zealand and is committed to support the delivery of exceptional quality skin cancer medicine.
As the former Chief Executive Officer for Melanoma Patients Australia, Victoria has a background in health advocacy and a deep understanding of the importance of an early diagnosis and the impact that excellent treatment has on improving outcomes and often saving the lives of skin cancer patients and their families.
Victoria has a special interest in health and achieving the best possible outcomes for those affected by skin cancer. Given that Australia and New Zealand have the highest incidence rates of skin cancer in the world, Victoria is committed to making a difference in this critical health priority area.

The Hon. Jarrod Bleijie is Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations.

MBBS (Syd), MSpMed (UNSW), DCH, DRANZCOG, FARGP, FRACGP, FSCCA

Dr Luke graduated from Sydney University in 1995, and previously practised the full gamut of rural general practice in Armidale NSW, including skin cancer medicine, visiting medical officer appointments and school doctor, making him one of Australia’s most experienced GP’s. He holds a Master of Sports Medicine and a Fellowship in Skin Cancer Medicine. He was awarded the prize for top mark in the SCCA Final Fellowship exam in 2016. He co-established possibly the first Australian school wide based, computer assisted neurocognitive pre- and post-concussion assessment program at The Armidale School. Dr Luke primarily works as a GP specialising in Skin Cancer Medicine in regional NSW and Sydney, but also has several other interests including the gut microbiome. Dr Luke is actively engaged in presenting and teaching for Skin Cancer College Australasia across dermoscopy and surgery, as well as other bodies. He thoroughly enjoys teaching, meeting and learning from colleagues. He is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New England and has lectured for both UNE and the University of Newcastle. He is currently involved in skin cancer medicine research and is published in journals. He has recently commenced as Medical Director for Sundoctors Skin Cancer Clinics.

Kieran is a proud Yugarabul man from south-east Queensland, with deep connections to the region of the Yugambeh language speaking people. With 20 years of experience in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector, Kieran has been instrumental in achieving better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland. Kieran has tertiary qualifications in education, mental health, governance, and management. Kieran is currently the CEO of Kalwun Development Corporation and serves on the Board of several health, education and human services organisations and statutory authorities

PhD, MPH(Hons), BSc, BA

Professor Anne Cust is a cancer epidemiologist and NHMRC Investigator Fellow who leads the Melanoma and Skin Cancer stream. Professor Cust’s research has a strong emphasis on translational outcomes that impact policy and clinical practice. She is also a Faculty member of the Melanoma Institute Australia, where she co-leads the ‘Prevention, risk and clinical detection of melanoma’ research theme. Professor Cust leads several large multidisciplinary research programs related to skin cancer prevention, screening and surveillance, and genomic risk of cancer, and is an investigator on international melanoma consortia. She contributes to updating national clinical practice guidelines for melanoma and skin cancer. Professor Cust has over 230 publications and has attracted over $50 million in collaborative grants. In 2018, Professor Cust received the NSW Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Research Fellow of the Year, and in 2015 she was awarded the inaugural Sax Institute Research Action Award for translation of research into health policy. She chairs the Cancer Council National Skin Cancer Committee and NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Advisory Committee. She is a Past President of the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA), and has served on the COSA Epidemiology Group Executive, Melanoma and Skin Cancer (MASC) Trials Group Board and on the Scientific Committee for the PC4 Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group.

MBBCh, MRCS, FSCCA

Dr Elsaid is the principal of OceanMed Skin Cancer Clinic and is a highly experienced Skin Cancer Doctor. After graduating from medical school in Egypt, he obtained his postgraduate Basic Surgical Training (BST) in the UK which was concluded with passing the college exams and being admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow (MRCS).

In Australia, Dr Elsaid developed a keen interest in Skin Cancer medicine and surgery, and moved on to obtaining a Fellowship in the field with the Skin Cancer College Australasia. Dr Elsaid works extensively in skin cancer of the Head and Neck including Scalp, Ears, Nose, Lips and Eyelid reconstructive surgeries.

Paul is a proud Bundjalung from Northern South Wales, working as an Indigenous Health Project Officer within the Integrated Team Care program for the past 3 years. Paul is passionate about supporting mob in managing chronic diseases and delivering cultural awareness training to improve cultural competencies within mainstream healthcare. Paul is committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live long and happy lives by promoting a deeper understanding of their health needs and advocating for systemic change. Paul believes that educating communities is the first step in addressing barriers and creating opportunities in Closing the Gap for First Nations people.

BSc, MBBS, PhD, FRANZCR

Professor Gerald Fogarty is a Radiation Oncologist with a special interest in the treatment of skin disorders. He trained at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia’s largest cancer centre. He has held positions as Director of Radiation Oncology at St Vincent’s Hospital and Mater Hospitals, Sydney. He has over 180 publications. For his skin publications see www.drgeraldfogarty.com/publications.
He authored the radiotherapy section of the 2019 NHMRC National Clinical Practice Guidelines for Keratinocyte Cancer. He has held several new applications for RT including extended skin field cancerisation the adaptive split course for locally advanced skin cancers in the elderly.

I am a solicitor with a special interest in relation to health regulation. I first commenced legal practice in commercial litigation, before starting work at AHPRA as an investigator. I worked in a variety of roles across SA, Victoria and NSW, including as the Senior Inspector for criminal prosecutions in NSW and as a manager of large investigative teams in SA and Victoria.

Having been concerned by how practitioners were dealt with by AHPRA, I returned to private practice and in early 2019, opened my own practice, Gardner Legal & Regulatory.

After six years in private practice, I wanted to find a way I could proactively assist practitioners avoid having a complaint being made in the first place. I identified there was absence of CPD online learning for health practitioners regarding regulatory compliance. As a result, we launched a new education portal for health practitioners, Australian Health Professional Development (AHPD) in October 2024.

B.Medicine (Dist), FRACGP, FSCCA, GAICD

Dr Solange Green is proud to be a Fellow of the Skin Cancer College Australasia.
Solange is strongly dedicated to ensuring the recognition of the enormous contribution Skin Cancer Doctors make towards the diagnosis and management of skin cancer in Australia. She has a passion for governance, with a specific focus on representing and increasing recognition of Skin Cancer Doctors in Government, Education and the Private Sector. Solange holds a Certificate in Clinical Governance from the Australasian Institute of Clinical Governance, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She frequently represents Skin Cancer Doctors in multi-disciplinary teams and has collaborated with the Melanoma Institute Australia. Solange is involved with a Government statewide non melanoma skin cancer data committee, has advised a major sunscreen company, and has been the Chair of the Primary Care Scientific Advisory Committee for both the Australasian Melanoma Conference and the Global Advances and Controversies in Skin Cancer conferences.

She has been a tutor of the SCCA Advanced Clinical Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine & Surgery, lecturer of the Advanced Skin Surgery Workshop and Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine courses, and is a Fellowship examiner. Solange feels forever indebted to those SCCA mentors who have taken their time to teach her, and to the wider SCCA community who have provided her with such quality education and support.

Tina Hay is the founder and CEO of Puzzle Media and is an industry-leading marketing speaker, trainer and coach.

With over 20 years of marketing experience, Tina has worked across traditional marketing and media, digital marketing, paid advertising and social media marketing. She is a regular speaker at events and offers training programs across various areas of marketing and business.

Having launched her first business in 2010, Tina understands what is effective in connecting brands to consumers and growing businesses through the power of digital marketing and social media. The digital marketing and social media landscape is rapidly evolving, and Tina invests heavily in her team to stay abreast of best practices and the latest trends.

Tina and her Puzzle Media team have supported thousands of organisations with their marketing strategies and campaigns throughout the years. Clients have included medical professionals, allied health practices, professional service firms, listed ASX companies, global organisations, and SMEs.

MBChB, FRACGP, Advanced Certificate Skin Cancer Medicine & Surgery, Advanced Certificate Dermoscopy (Distinction) SCCA

Moving to Townsville in 2006, Dr Hudson works full time in Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery and has extensive qualifications in the field, performing regular skin checks and a wide range of treatments including non-surgical therapies, basic excisions and complex flap and graft surgery.
Dr Hudson also holds the position of Senior Lecturer at James Cook University, where he writes and teaches courses in skin cancer medicine, dermoscopy (skin cancer imaging), and advanced graft and flap surgery. He is currently developing a series of online written and video resources for skin cancer surgical training.
Dr Hudson is an active member of several other research and training organizations including the Dermatology Special Interests Group (RACGP), the Skin Cancer College of Australasia, and has assisted in research projects on surgical outcomes, histological sampling and tissue samples for cell line studies.

MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRACGP, FSCCA, MMed Skin Ca (UQ), Dip SCM (UQ), Dip Derm (Cardiff)

Dr Clara Jimenez Balcells graduated from the University of Barcelona in 2001. Dr Balcells holds the MRCP (UK) and the MRCGP (UK), FRACGP, the Diploma of Practical Dermatology (University of Cardiff, UK). She has also completed the Master's Degree in Skin Cancer Medicine (University of Queensland) as well as her Fellowship with the Skin Cancer College of Australasia.

Dr Balcells holds an appointment as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.

Dr Balcells is highly passionate about dermoscopy and primary care setting skin cancer research, teaching and education.

Dr Daniel Lindsay is a Senior Research Officer in the Cancer Health Economics team at Cancer Council Queensland, holding adjunct appointments at QIMRB Medical Research Institute and The University of Queensland. Dr Lindsay has extensive and broad research experience and expertise in statistics and applied economic research in cancer, with a focus on skin cancer and health inequities

Katja brings 14 years’ of extensive ethical, legal, and regulatory knowledge complemented by clinical trial management experience, supporting large investigator-initiated clinical trials. With an analytical approach to problem-solving and a track record of stakeholder management, Katja supports clinicians to deliver high-quality research that improves outcomes for patients.

Dr Ian McColl is a consultant Dermatologist at John Flynn Hospital on the Gold Coast. He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and a life member of the Skin Cancer College Australasia (SCCA). He is also fondly known as the “Father” and founder of the SCCA skin cancer Blog. Dr McColl runs the Australian Institute of Dermatology, which delivers online education in all areas of dermatology to Medical Students, General Practitioners, Dermatology and Pathology Registrars.

MBBS (Hons), MHPol, GAICD
Medical Director, and Head, Clinical Policy Advice Branch,
Cancer Australia

Professor Vivienne Milch is Medical Director and Head, Clinical Policy Advice Branch, at Cancer Australia. She provides strategic clinical policy advice and leadership to support Cancer Australia’s work to minimise the impact of cancer, address disparities, and improve the health outcomes of people affected by cancer. She has recently led the development of a National Framework for Genomics in Cancer Control as an early implementation priority of the Australian Cancer Plan.

Professor Milch is the medical advisor to the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care on cancer screening policy, and Chair of the Clinical Advisory Group for the BreastScreen Australia, and the Expert Advisory Committee for the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program. She holds professorial appointments at the Caring Futures Institute at Flinders University and the School of Medicine at University of Notre Dame, Sydney.

Prior to joining Cancer Australia, Professor Milch was a General Practitioner and clinical researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Associate Professor Jim Muir has been a dermatologist in Brisbane since 1994. He works in a busy private practice staffed by dermatologists and general practitioners. As director of the Dermatology department at the Mater hospital, South Brisbane he is heavily involved in training future dermatologists. He provides telemedicine services and online education for doctors Australia wide through the 'Telederm National' website run by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. Jim supervised the dermoscopy component of the UQ skin cancer masters course for over a decade. As Chair of the Dermatology Medical Assessment Tribunal and provider of expert medicolegal reports he has a particular interest in occupational skin disease and avoidable errors in skin cancer management. He is chair of the Brisbane Hospitals Dermatology Group. He has over 80 publications in peer reviewed journals. He has a particular interest in skin malignancy, evidence based medicine and judicious scepticism.

With more than 20 years’ combined experience in marketing, communications and the not-for-profit sector, Andrea drives a comprehensive fundraising programme to enable Melanoma New Zealand to invest further in its strategic objectives of championing prevention, promoting early detection and increasing access to high quality clinical care.

MBBS(Hons 1st class), FRCPA, Cert Dermatoscopy

Dr Blake O'Brien is a consultant dermatopathologist based at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (SNP), Bowen Hills. He is the author of SNP’s Dermatopathology Atlas – a guide to the interpretation of dermatopathology images. He is known not only for his depth of expertise in pathology but also for his passion for education. Blake graduated with first-class honours from The University of Queensland in 2005, and was awarded the University Medal for Medicine, the Lillian Cooper Prize and the William Nathaniel Robertson Medal. He was also twice awarded the Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement.
He gained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia in 2012 and he joined SNP as a consultant pathologist in the same year.

SCCA Education Manager
Miska started his education career nearly 30 years ago at the University of Manitoba (Canada) and was at the Queensland University of Technology for 14 years before joining the College in 2021. Miska has significant expertise in higher education curriculum development, accreditation, quality assurance, eLearning design, and education management.
Since starting at the College, Miska has focused on building the SCCA Fellowship Support Program as well as on developing new, innovative, award winning courses. He also loves discussing the Skin Cancer Blog and helping new Members engage with this amazing educational resource.

Dr John Prossor graduated from Leicester University UK in 1984. He holds a Masters degree with distinction in Skin Cancer Medicine from the University of Queensland . Subsequently he was invited to join the Faculty as a Senior Lecturer . He is now a faculty member and course co-ordinator for the UQ masters degree . This appointment cements both his interests in academia and the value he places on teaching.

John has extensive experience of healthcare management, innovation and leadership roles over many years to include commissioning healthcare and project management. His “outstanding contribution to medicine” was recognised in 2007 by the rare award of a Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners UK. He is an examiner for the Royal college of General practitioners.

John also holds a Fellowship of the Skin Cancer College Australaisia. This achievement is widely regarded as the “Everest” in the field of skin cancer medicine. From a practical point of view John has extensive experience with a very wide range of complex closures to include flaps and skin grafts in cosmetically sensitive areas. John remains committed to the outstanding holistic care of his patients with shared decision making at its core.

MBBS, FRACS, MS

A/Prof Robyn Saw is a Melanoma and complex skin cancer Surgical Oncologist affiliated with Melanoma Institute Australia. She is also head of the Melanoma and Surgical Oncology department at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Robyn has a specific interest in the surgical management and supportive care of melanoma and complex skin cancer patients, and is involved in melanoma research and education.

Nathan is a Queensland-trained Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Brisbane. He specialises in skin cancer excision and reconstruction.
Nathan is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

MBBS, FRACGP, Dip Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery Dip Dermatoscopy (Skin Cancer College of Australasia) Master of Medicine MMED (UQ) Senior lecturer University of Queensland Fellow of the Skin Cancer Institute

Dr Simpson trained at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School and spent several years training in hospitals in both the UK and Australia. He initially came to work in Australia in 1992, at Nambour General Hospital. He later returned to the UK where he served three years as a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

On returning to Australia in 2004, Dr Simpson commenced skin cancer GP training, and this culminated in the Master of Medicine degree during which time he was awarded the Dean’s Special Commendation for Academic Excellence.
Dr Simpson now acts as a senior lecturer and teaching assistant for Prof Cliff Rosendahl on the Master’s program at the University of Queensland.
Dr Simpson frequently attends training events and conferences and is a longstanding active member of the Skin Cancer College of Australasia, and International Dermoscopy Society.

Case Manager (Solicitor)
Daniel commenced with MDA National as a Medico-legal Adviser in April 2022.
Prior to joining MDA National, Daniel was a solicitor at Panetta McGrath Lawyers practising in vocational regulation and medical defence. Before that, Daniel was a Legal Advisor at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for approximately 7 years, where he also acted as Senior Legal Adviser and Director, Notifications (WA) and worked as an investigator.
Daniel was admitted to practise as a solicitor in Western Australia in 2010.
Prior to moving in-house with Ahpra, Daniel practised Mining, Energy and Resources Law at Johnson Winter & Slattery Lawyers and Herbert Smith Freehills. He also completed a secondment at Woodside while working at HSF.

MB ChB, BSc, HonBSc(Med Sci), MSc(Med Sci), FRNZCGP, FSCCA

After discovering his first melanoma as a 4th year medical student, Franz has been hooked on skin cancer ever since. Before doing medicine, he worked as a postgraduate researcher in medical physiology.
Franz was fortunate to undertake his medical degree in South Africa. This allowed a wide spectrum of experience. After immigrating to New Zealand in 2000 he has lived and worked in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Keith Monnington and Franz worked together on the clinic committee for the Ministry of Health pilot project in skin cancer. This was a very successful project that was later devolved into primary care. Franz was also involved in a similar project with Southern Cross, the major health insurer in New Zealand.

Franz is the former owner of Skinspots Skin Cancer Clinic, one of the largest primary care skin cancer clinics in New Zealand. This clinic has paved the way for nurses to work as nurse specialist dermoscopists in New Zealand. Academically, Franz has been a presenter at every SCCA Congress and symposium. He would like to see the academic structure of the college grow both in stature and academic recognition. He has been actively involved in the training and up-skilling of GPs interested in skin cancer throughout New Zealand. Franz is now a clinical director and lecturer for the Advanced Clinical Certificate of Dermoscopy, the Certificate of Dermoscopy and the Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine.

Dr Amelia ‘Millie’ Taylor is a Medical Oncologist at Melanoma Institute Australia and Mater Hospital with a clinical interest in the management of patients with skin cancer. Dr Taylor completed her physician and specialist medical oncology training in several hospitals and cancer centres across Sydney’s North Shore. She also trained at Royal Darwin Hospital where she obtained a Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine. She completed a fellowship in clinical trials and immuno-oncology at Melanoma Institute in 2021 before working as a staff specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital.
Dr Taylor has recently returned from a year in the UK, working at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Medical Oncology Consultant looking after patients with skin cancer.
Millie has a keen interest in research and clinical trials. She is passionate about education and is involved in teaching and training of medical students, junior doctors and allied health staff. Millie is a compassionate and empathetic clinician, who is committed to providing high quality and collaborative patient care.

MBBS, MMed (Skin Cancer), FRACGP, FSCCA

Dr Chris Wetherall is a passionate medical educator and dermoscopist. He obtained his MBBS and Masters Degree from the University of Queensland. He is a fellow of SCCA and RACGP, and holds a Diploma of Dermatology. Chris works full time as a primary care skin cancer GP in a large multidisciplinary primary care practice. He completed a Graduate Certificate of Medical Education at University of Wollongong in 2016. He holds the positions of Clinical Director and Censor for SCCA and is a Senior Clinical Lecturer and a Senior Clinical Lecturer with the Universities of QLD and Wollongong.

FAFPHM, FAHMS, FSCCA (Hon) B Med Sc, MBBS (Hons), PhD

Distinguished Scientist
Head, Cancer Control Laboratory
Coordinator, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research Centre
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Professor David Whiteman is a medical epidemiologist with a special interest in the causes, control and prevention of melanoma and skin cancer. He received his medical degree from the University of Queensland in 1991, and his PhD in cancer epidemiology in 1997. He is Principal Investigator of QSKIN, a large prospective cohort study which has gathered clinical, phenotypic and genetic data on more than 43,000 people to unravel the causes of skin cancer. He has published more than 500 peer reviewed articles and has an H index of 102. In addition to his research activities, David is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine, and Honorary Fellow of the Skin Cancer College Australasia. In 2019, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to cancer epidemiology.

Founder, Lab Muffin Beauty Science

Michelle is the founder of Lab Muffin Beauty Science, where she has been explaining the science behind beauty products for a general audience since 2011. She also co-founded Beauty SciComm, a social enterprise to increase the quality, volume and reach of accurate beauty science content, and is a co-convenor of the annual Sunscreen E-Summit.

Through her science education work, Michelle has partnered with many brands on campaigns, and delivered an invited talk at the APAC Trusted Media Summit. Her work has been featured in international publications including The New York Times, ABC News, The Atlantic, Chemistry & Engineering News and Cosmetics & Toiletries.

She also works as a product development and science communication consultant, and was formerly the head of chemistry at Matrix Education.

Michelle holds a bachelor of advanced science (Honours Class 1 with university medal), a PhD in chemistry (medicinal and supramolecular) and a diploma of cosmetic formulation.