Council

The Council drives the direction of the Partnership and brings together representatives from peak professional and standard setting bodies for clinicians, the community sector, and relevant government agencies.

Dedicated working groups may be established to progress specific projects of the Partnership.

Carla Wilshire OAM

Carla Wilshire OAM

Carla Wilshire OAM is the founding CEO of The Social Policy Group (SPG). She has a background in public policy development and impact strategy, corporate governance, and tertiary research. Before establishing SPG, Carla worked in senior roles in the public service and as an advisor to the Government, principally in migration and settlement, including as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. She also held academic and consulting positions in Australia and abroad. Carla is the Board Director of The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, the co-founder and Deputy Chair of the Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership and the Judicial Council on Diversity & Inclusion and the Judicial Council on Diversity & Inclusion

Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle

Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle

Represents the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Associate Professor Boyle is an obstetrician and gynaecologist and heads the Indigenous and Refugee Women’s Health Program at Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation. Associate Professor Boyle works clinically in refugee women’s health in Victoria and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s health in outreach services in the Northern Territory, as well as in research, translation and education nationally. She also holds an honorary appointment at the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin. Her research interests are in women’s health across the life-course with a focus on a healthy start to life—pre-pregnancy through to early childhood.  

Danielle Elston

Danielle is dedicated to simplifying complex systems and fostering transparent, effective governance. With decades of executive experience across multiple government agencies, she specialises in policy development, organisational reform, industry engagement, and legislative change. She has led corporate functions, driving workforce development and diversity initiatives across sectors including health, education, justice, and indigenous affairs. Danielle also co-hosts The Westminster Tradition, a top-ranking podcast exploring lessons for the public sector. 

Donata Sackey

Donata Sackey

Over the past 15 years Donata has been based at Mater Hospital in Brisbane, prior to the Mater, Donata held positions in various human service organisations including over a decade with QPASTT (QLD Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma). Donata is a social worker with an interest in embedding community development approaches in health policy, planning and delivery. As Director of Mater Refugee Health Donata has facilitated integrated models of care including the delivery of refugee health services in partnership with general practices. She supports the Refugee Health Network Qld which, with communities and stakeholders, has played a critical role in promoting a more equitable response to COVID-19 in Queensland.  

Dr Choong-Siew Young

Child and adolescent psychiatrist in Sydney, NSW. He has long-standing interests in medical workforce and education, practitioner regulation, doctors’ health and mental health policy. He has served on the executive committees of the Australian Medical Association, NSW Medical Board and Medical Council, and the NSW Doctors’ Health Advisory Service. For the RANZCP, he has served as the Chair of the Committee for Education Evaluation, Monitoring and Reporting and Continuing Medical Education (now known as the Committee for Continuing Professional Development). He is the current Chair of the Member Wellbeing Subcommittee. 

Dr Geoffrey Painter

Associate Professor Geoffrey Painter is a founding partner of Gordon Eye Surgery and a leading ophthalmologist. He trained at Sydney Eye Hospital before completing a fellowship in cataract and glaucoma surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK His expertise lies in cataract and anterior segment surgery, with a strong research focus on advancements in cataract treatment. Committed to global eye health, he serves on the board of Foresight Australia and contributes to international development initiatives. He is actively involved in outreach programs in the Solomon Islands and China, working to improve access to ophthalmic care. 

Dr Jason Schreiber

Dr Jason Schreiber

Senior Forensic Physicians at the Clinical Forensic Division of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). Jason holds the German Medical State Examination and has obtained the Australian Medical Council certificate. He is a Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FFCFM (RCPA)); a Fellow of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFFLM) of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in London, United Kingdom (UK); and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Monash University, Victoria.  
He holds the Master of Forensic Medicine (MForensMed) at Monash University, Victoria; Master of Health Service Management (MHlthServMt) at Monash University; Master of Public Health (Health Policy) (MPH(Hlth Pol)) at Monash University, Victoria; Master of Laws (Human rights law) (LLM) at the University of London (UK); Master of Science in Medical Toxicology (MScMedTox) at Cardiff University (UK); and the Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic and Legal Medicine (PGDipFLM), Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Jason has also qualifications in language interpretation and translation between English and German, including an expired NAATI accreditation. He has published on the topic of language interpretation in medical settings in peer reviewed literature. 

Dr Kym Jenkins

Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in doctors' health, consultation-liaison, and women’s psychiatry. She has held leadership roles within the RANZCP, including Chair of the Committee for Examinations and Deputy Chair of the Board of Education, and served as Medical Director of the Victorian Doctors Health Programme for a decade. An adjunct Senior Lecturer at Monash University, she has a strong focus on medical education. She holds a Fellowship with RANZCP, a Masters of Psychological Medicine, and a Master of Education. 

Dr Margaret Kay

Dr Margaret Kay

University of Queensland and RACGP (affiliations), Individual Member

Dr. Margaret Kay is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with clinical and research expertise in refugee health. She is Clinical Lead in Multicultural Health with the Brisbane South PHN, a member and past Chair of the Refugee Health Network of Australia and Member of the RACGP Special Interest Group for Migrant, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health. She completed her PhD in Physician Health in 2013 and holds an academic title as Senior Lecturer with the Faculty of Medicine, UQ. She enjoys teaching doctors and medical students across a number of medical schools. She has over 40 peer-reviewed publications.  In 2022, she was awarded an Order of Australia for significant service to medicine, to medical education, and to migrant health.

Dr Pallavi Desai

Dr. Pallavi Desai is a highly experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist with a special interest in prolapse and pelvic floor surgery. With over 30 years in the field, she is a specialist at Joan Kirner Women's and Children's at Sunshine Public Hospital and performs gynaecological procedures at private hospitals across Melbourne. She manages a wide range of conditions, including abnormal uterine bleeding, hormonal imbalances, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and fibroids. Passionate about pelvic floor health, she provides patient-centred, individualised care to improve quality of life. Dr. Desai values gender diversity and welcomes patients from all identities. Actively engaged in teaching and training, she mentors future specialists and contributes to RANZCOG committees. She stays at the forefront of her field by regularly attending workshops and conferences to enhance her expertise. 

Dr Sanjeev Naidu

Dr. Sanjeev Naidu is the Director of Surgical and Acute Care Services, driving clinical leadership in alignment with the Exceptional Every Time strategy. A Visiting Medical Officer at Mater South Brisbane since 2012 and Mater Private Hospital Springfield since 2015, he has played a key role in advancing surgical care in Australia. 
 
Dr. Naidu established a world-class Endoscopy Unit and Bariatric Service at QEII Hospital and introduced two groundbreaking surgical procedures to Australia. He is part of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Renal and Peritonectomy team and actively contributes to medical research, holding a Senior Lecturer position at The University of Queensland. A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, he serves on the RACS Queensland State Committee and is a Specialist Reserve in the Royal Australian Air Force. His expertise spans health, education, and research, reinforcing evidence-based, high-quality surgical care. 

Helen White

Helen has had an extensive career in membership organisations, most recently Chief Executive Officer at Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. Prior to this role, Helen was CEO at the Australian Podiatry Association and represented the Podiatry profession as well as leading the development of the Association’s education and events program. Helen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and holds a degree from the University of Cambridge, UK. 

Jenny Johnson

Jenny Johnson represents the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

Linda Smith

Linda Smith is an experienced executive leader with a strong background in healthcare and organisational management. As Interim CEO of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS), she is committed to advancing professional education and excellence in dental surgery. With extensive experience in strategic leadership, policy development, and governance, Linda has played a key role in driving organisational growth and operational improvements. She has a strong track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and implementing initiatives that enhance professional standards and healthcare delivery. Her expertise spans stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and corporate strategy, making her a valuable leader in the healthcare sector. 

Professor Christine Phillips AM

Professor Christine Phillips AM

Christine Phillips represents the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. 

Christine is Professor of Social Foundations of Medicine at the ANU Medical School, Medical Director of Companion House Medical Service (the ACT’s refugee health service), a member of the Institute for Communication in Healthcare, and immediate-past Chair of the Refugee Health Network of Australia. She is a general practitioner with qualifications in anthropology, public health and teaching. For over a decade, Christine has advocated through policy, research and education for better use of interpreters in medical settings, and improved cross-cultural communication in health.

Professor Christopher Pyke

Professor Christopher Pyke

Dr Chris Pyke is General Surgeon with expertise in Breast Cancer and Endocrine Surgery. He is Professor of Surgery at the University of Queensland, and Chief Medical Officer at Mater Health Services, who have an active Migrant and Refugee Program. He has published on healthcare variation in the screening and treatment of Breast Cancer based on Geography and Ethnicity. On this committee, he will be one of the representatives of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Professor Suresh Sundram

Professor Suresh Sundram

Professor Suresh Sundram is Chair and Head of Psychiatry at Monash University and Director of Research at Monash Health and Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub. With over two decades of experience in asylum seeker and refugee mental health, he has advised UNHCR, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and multiple national governments. 

Schizophrenia and Related Work
Professor Suresh Sundram specialises in schizophrenia research, focusing on molecular mechanisms and treatment development. His work spans genomics, cellular models, and clinical trials. He has over 150 publications and will serve as President of the Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2025-2026). 

Sawsan Howard

Individual Member, Community Representative