Ministers and Dignitaries

In order of appearance

Keynotes

In order of appearance

Petrina Halloran - Policy Manager, Nursing and Midwifery for AHPRA
Petrina Halloran is the Policy Manager for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. She has over 20 years experience in the regulation of nurses and midwives at both a state-based and national level. Previously she held various senior management and policy roles for the Victorian Government Department of Health Nurse Policy Branch and the Nurses’ Board of Victoria. Petrina is a registered nurse and prior to moving across to the regulatory field she was a Nurse Unit Manager at a large public hospital in Melbourne.

Dr. Ali Drummond - CEO for CATSINaM
Dr Ali Drummond is a Meriam and Erubam man of Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait) and Wuthathi man from far north Queensland. He was appointed as the CEO of CATSINaM in April 2023. Dr Drummond has more than two decades of experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, clinical practice, policy, research, and teaching and learning. He previously worked as lecturer within QUT’s School of Nursing, and as inaugural co-Director of Indigenous Health within QUT’s Faculty of Health. His recently awarded PhD critically examines how Australian nursing academics collaborate with Indigenous peoples in developing, delivering, and evaluating nursing curricula. Dr Drummond is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Torres Strait Islander Nurses Indigenous Corporation, and Chairperson of the Lowitja Institute Research Committee

Platinum Sponsors - Novartis
The Novartis purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives. We use innovative science and technology to address some of society's most challenging healthcare issues. We discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible. We also aim to reward those who invest their money, time and ideas in our company.

Senior Executive and Entrepeneur - Gus Balbontin
Seeking a change from corporate life, Gus hung up the boots as the Executive Director and CTO of Lonely Planet and decided to move back to his entrepreneurial roots. He became and an investor, founder and mentor across the start-up ecosystem in Melbourne. Over the last 3 years, Gus has presented to small audiences with just 10's of attendees, in regional areas of Australia and New Zealand, all the way up to that of 10's of thousands across North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Whether the audience is small, large, private, public, board room or mail room, his lessons hit a chord. His simplicity disarms you, his energy infects you and his counterintuitive way of looking at the world will motivate you to do things differently. He is candid and full of energy. He will make you laugh and enable you to think deeply about the puzzles of running a business, irrespective of size. His common sense and practical approach will disarm you!

Platinum Sponsors - Novo Nordisk

For more than 100 years, we have been translating the unmet medical needs of people living with a serious chronic disease into innovative medicines and delivery systems, like our insulin pens. Our treatments today are benefiting millions of people living with diabetes, obesity, and rare blood and endocrine diseases. From our labs to our factory floors, we are discovering and developing innovative biological medicines and making them accessible to patients throughout the world.

Professor April Kapu, Associate Dean, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA

April is an acute care nurse practitioner with a background in cardiovascular critical care. She is currently the Associate Dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships and Professor for Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Prior to her role as dean, she served as associate chief nursing officer for advanced practice nursing at Vanderbilt Medical Center. April is nationally known for her work in building advanced practice leadership and infrastructure to support advanced practice models of care. She has authored numerous publications on these topics, presents frequently both nationally and internationally, and in 2022 was named as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 50 Clinical Executives for the USA. April is the Immediate Past President for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She is a fellow for AANP, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the American Academy of Nursing.

Frances Rice - Office of the Chief Nurse - Department of Health

Frances is the Senior Nursing Advisor to the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in the Department of Health and Aged Care. As a registered nurse, Frances provides specialist and strategic policy advice to Ministers, the Executive and internal and external stakeholders on complex matters in nursing, the health system, health workforce, regulation and education.

Adj. Professor (Practice) Alison J McMillan PSM -Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer - Office of the Chief Nurse

Adj. Prof. McMillan PSM has been the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for over 3 years. She provides high-level strategic policy advice to the Minister for Health & Aged Care, Minister for Aged Care & Sport, Assistant Minister for Health & Aged Care and other government departments. Her focus on nursing, midwifery, health system reform, health workforce, regulation and education, supports the government to realise the value of the nursing and midwifery professions.

Ken Griffin - Chief Executive Officer for APNA

Ken has more than 20 years marketing, communications and government affairs experience in the healthcare, not-for-profit, pharmaceutical, beverage and logistics sectors. He has held multiple leadership roles and directed high-profile campaigns for large companies, patient groups and industry organisations. He is a determined and passionate supporter of primary health care nursing.

Peter Breadon - Director of Health & Aged Care for Grattan Institute

Peter has worked in a wide range of senior policy and operational roles within government, most recently as Deputy Secretary of Reform and Planning at the Victorian Dept of Health. Previously a Health Fellow at Grattan Institute, he co-authored reports on hospital efficiency, pharmaceutical pricing & health workforce. Peter holds a Master of Public Policy from the London School of Economics and a Master of Public Administration from the Hertie School of Governance.

Anthony Sokolowski - Nurse Practitioner Development Facilitator for Health New England Local Health District

For 23 years Anthony has worked within NSW Health Critical Care. For 15 of those years he has been an endorsed NP and has most recently become VP of the ACNP board again. His qualifications include Masters of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Leadership and most recently he successfully completed Hunter New England Health research internship. Anthony’s passion is supporting Registered Nurse’s to progress down the NP pathway as well as supporting NP candidates and NPs within his Local Health District to optimise their Scope of Practice.

Karrie Long - Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer - Department of Health

Karrie is a visionary nursing leader with nearly 20 years’ experience driving health delivery innovation to ensure safer and more effective patient care. As Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, she provides professional leadership, advice and direction to the sector, drawing on a unique set of skills acquired across all aspects and levels of nursing, including regional and metropolitan health settings and academia.

Dr Paresh Dawda - Director and Principal of Prestantia Health and Next Practice Deakin

Paresh trained at The Royal London and completed his postgraduate qualifications in England. Migrating to Australia in 2012, he continues to have a portfolio of roles within academic, clinical, and advisory capacities. With a passion for providing holistic care for patients, he has a particular interest in working with people with chronic medical conditions. With learnings from everyday patient encounters, he uses these to advocate for change locally, nationally and internationally.