PCDSA Conference

Janelle Devereux, Safer Care Victoria

Janelle Devereux is a strategic leader in system improvement, dedicated to delivering equitable health outcomes for the people and communities of Victoria. With over 20 years of experience in commissioning and health system reform across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia, Janelle has made significant contributions to the field. Her notable achievements include the implementation of the award-winning acute stroke service redesign initiative in London and leading the COVID-19 primary care response in one of Australia’s most impacted regions during the early years of the pandemic. Janelle is passionate about improving access to high-quality, person-centred, and integrated care. She believes in achieving this through strong, whole-of-system partnerships and emphasizes the importance of supporting and enhancing clinical leadership and consumer participation to reach these goals.

Deb Hawthorne, Pharmacist

Deborah Hawthorne is a rural Northeast Victorian Consultant pharmacist, and chair of Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Consultant Pharmacist Community of Special Interest. She brings a wealth of knowledge from a varied career portfolio includes working as a pharmacist in GP clinics, Credentialed Diabetes Educator at Northeast Health Wangaratta and DHC – Diabetes HealthCare, Home Medicines Reviews, Residential Medication Management Reviews, Chemical Restraint Consultations, Telehealth Medication Reviews, clinical education and research as an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia. She is also a current Victorian branch committee member of PSA and a board member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria (PSV) and Pharmacists Support Services (PSS). Her unwavering advocacy for consultant pharmacists in novel careers has earned her multiple national awards including PSA Consultant Pharmacist of the year 2023 and PSA Early Career Pharmacist of the year 2022.

Bianca Bell, NW Melbourne PHN

Bianca is the Executive Director of Health Systems Integration at NWMPHN. Bianca has a strong track record of driving evidence-based primary care and health system reform, in partnership with primary care and local hospital networks. She has worked in the general practice sector for over 20 years in a range of education focused, liaison and management roles across both the acute and community sector.

Dr Shannon Lin, University of Technology Sydney

Dr Shannon Lin is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Fellow of Dietitians Australia and a Credentialled Diabetes Educator with over 20 years of experience in diabetes and nutrition. Shannon is also the Diabetes Course Director/Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and adjunct senior research fellow for University of Melbourne. She is expanding her work globally as a diabetes education specialist for Life for a Child/Diabetes Australia, supporting healthcare professionals in many developing countries. She holds the distinction of being the first advanced dietitian recognized for her expertise in Indigenous health, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, aged care and diabetes. Her contributions to the diabetes workforce have garnered several accolades, including multiple teaching and research excellence awards in academia and the 2023 University of Technology Sydney Alumni Award. Her leadership and clinical excellence were also recognized when she was awarded the National Credentialed Diabetes Educator of the Year 2023. Her passion and commitment to improving health inequalities through health professional teaching and specialised clinical nutrition and diabetes care have significantly impacted many people with diabetes or those at risk.

Dr Amira Howari, PCDSA Board member

Amira is a globally recognised senior clinical optometrist, Health Industry Keynote Speaker and media commentator, transforming health professionals in their approach to diabetes and eye care as an influential leader and futurist in this space. Having lived with type one diabetes for almost 30 years, co-managed with ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, general practitioners, diabetes nutritionists and educators, her passion in this area has seen her venture into educational and proactive roles including Diabetes Australia Ambassador, member of the Diabetes and Endocrine Network at the agency of Clinical Innovation (NSW Health), University of New South Wales guest speaker & clinical supervisor and former Optometry Australia Board Councillor (NSW/ACT). 

Dr Amandeep Hansra, GP

A/Prof Ralph Audehm, PCDSA Board member

Associate Professor Audehm is a general practitioner who has worked for over 35 years in general practice and is experienced in managing all types of patients. A/Prof Audehm graduated from Melbourne University in 1984 and obtained a Diploma from the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1987. He gained a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research in 2005. In 2004 he was made an Honorary Research Fellow of the University of Melbourne and became an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor in 2014. A/Prof Audehm has had a long-standing interest in the management of chronic conditions in General Practice, and has instigated and supported many initiatives to systematically improve health outcomes for people with diabetes and heart disease. He has had a long association with the University of Melbourne in delivering programs upskilling GPs in detection and management of domestic violence. A/Prof Audehm has close links to the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, and participates in research and teaching of medical students, GP registrars and General Practitioners.

Nicole French, PCDSA Board member

David Menzies

David Menzies is a seasoned health professional with over 40 years’ experience spanning exercise science, chronic disease management, and person-centred care. He has led national initiatives such as the COAG Healthy Communities and contributed to primary care reform through the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives. David currently serves as Health Justice Coordinator at Weenthunga Health Network and holds advisory roles with Arthritis Australia, LiverWell, and healthAbility. His work focuses on health justice and health sovereignty, self-management, and quality improvement, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. David is a passionate advocate for consumer voice in health care and integrated, community-led solutions.

Dr Rajna Ogrin, PCDSA Board member

Dr Rajna Ogrin is a Senior Research Fellow at Bolton Clarke and President of the Primary Care Diabetes Society of Australia. Initially trained as a clinical podiatrist, she completed a PhD and postdoctoral research focused on improving evidence based care for people with diabetes. Her expertise spans interprofessional chronic disease management, diabetes related foot complications, wound care, implementation science, and co design. She has led clinical trials, published extensively, and contributed to national diabetes initiatives. Her work emphasises holistic wellbeing, addressing social isolation, and translating research into practice to improve outcomes for people living with diabetes

Thu Thai, Diabetes Nurse Educator

Thu Thai is a credentialled diabetes nurse educator who speaks English and Vietnamese. She had been practising at cohealth based in Braybrook as well as in GP practices in Sunshine and Broadmeadows. Thu has also been involved with a Vietnamese Peer Support group as a convenor and worked tirelessly for and with the people attending that group. Thu is highly experienced in working with people living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. Her roles and relationships in community health and private practice link her up with GPs, endocrinologists and other allied health professionals, and bridge the management gap with people living with diabetes to provide care that is practical and sustainable.

Melissa McIlvain

Melissa McIlvain is an Improvement Advisor at Safer Care Victoria. With nearly 15 years of experience in healthcare improvement across the Victorian Government and health sector, she brings a deep passion for driving sustainable, system-wide change. Her focus is on strengthening improvement capability, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering results-driven initiatives. She’s led sector collaboratives in childhood asthma, stroke care, chronic condition management, maternity care and patient flow, underpinned by expertise in improvement science, project delivery, co-design, and stakeholder engagement. Her collaborative approach—with lived experience and clinician voices—has helped shape impactful reforms in the health system.

Diabetes Victoria, Official Event Partner

Diabetes Victoria is the leading peak body dedicated to reducing the impact of all types of diabetes on people, families, communities and health systems across Victoria.

Eli Lilly

Boehringer- Ingelheim

Novo Nordisk

Sanofi