MEDTECH20 PRESENTER SPOTLIGHT – Prof. Michael Reade AM

Professor Reade is an intensive care physician, anaesthetist and clinician scientist in the Australian Defence Force, since 2011 seconded to the University of Queensland as the inaugural Professor of Military Medicine and Surgery. He has deployed nine times, including twice to Afghanistan and three times to Iraq. He now holds the rank of Brigadier, responsible for specialist clinical personnel in the Australian Army. His research programs cover trauma systems design, fluid resuscitation in trauma, coagulopathy and the management of delirium in critical illness. His frozen platelet trial program, conducted with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, aims to improve worldwide access to this vital component of trauma resuscitation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

HBF Cancels Health Insurance Premiums Hike

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The campaign was launched ahead of the October 1 health insurance premium hikes.

HBF’s commitment to a ZERO increase in premiums puts it in stark contrast to other Corporate Health Insurers who are expected to raise their premiums during a time when Aussie families are still struggling.

The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) has claimed Corporate Health Insurers have raked in gross mega-COVID-profits of $1.03 billion during the pandemic at the same time as cutting the actual benefits customers are receiving by $600 million, over the last 12 months.

MTAA has publicly called out Corporate Health Insurers, asking: “If HBF can cancel their premium increases, why can’t the rest of Corporate Health Insurers do the same?”

MTAA is maintaining its call for the Private Health Insurance Industry to “put people before profits”.

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MedTech20 Presenter Spotlight – Prof. Wendy Rogers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wendy is co-chair of the Safety, Quality and Ethics Program of the Australian Alliance for AI in Healthcare. Wendy has a longstanding interest in the ethics and regulation of innovative technologies.

Her current projects include ethical issues raised by AI in healthcare, the ethics of surgical research and innovation, the ethics of synthetic biology, and transplant abuse in China. Wendy has served two terms on the Australian Health Ethics Committee and has had longstanding involvement in the drafting and revision of the current and previous versions of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

She was named in 2019 by Nature as one of ten people who matter in science for her work exposing publication of unethical transplant research, and was the Australian 2019 national research field leader in bioethics.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Colin McFarlane’s Story – Life with a Heart Valve Implant Since 1973

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After waiting six months for the valve to arrive from the United States, Colin was operated on at RPA by pioneering heart surgeon Bruce Leckie, and told he would need the valve replaced in 10 to 15 years.

“But once we got to 15 years, everybody threw their hands up in the air and said ‘pick a number, we don’t know’,” Colin says.

“So, here we are in the 47th year. It seems like it’s indestructible.”

But it almost never happened.

In 1958, retired engineer Miles Lowell Edwards, who had suffered rheumatic fever himself as a child, had set out to build the world’s first artificial heart.

Edwards presented the concept to Dr Albert Starr, a young surgeon at the University of Oregon Medical School.

Starr thought the idea was too complex and encouraged Edwards to focus on developing an artificial heart valve instead.

Within weeks, Edwards was sending Starr prototypes built in his home workshop.
And then in September, 1960, they had incredible success when the caged ball design was implanted in a 52-year-old man who underwent a “spectacular recovery and return to normal life”.
Last month, Colin and his daughter, Cheryl, visited Edwards Lifesciences in Macquarie Park tell his story – and thank the people who saved his life.

“We were told dad had a life expectancy of mid 50s,” says Cheryl.

“He’ll be 83 in February. You’ve given us a dad for a lifetime. But you’ve also given us a dad who hasn’t been sickly; a dad who has enjoyed life; who came to sports with us; who could take us on holiday.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MedTech20 – Tracey Duffy announced at MedTech20 Virtual Conference

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Health Products Regulation Group comprises the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Office of Drug Control. Her current responsibilities include medical device regulation, Good Manufacturing Practice medicine inspections and Laboratory testing. Tracey has held several leadership roles within the Department of Health and private sector experience including consultant health related advisory roles.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

People in MedTech Bronwyn Le Grice

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Since inception, ANDHealth has been delivering programs designed specifically to address unique commercialisation challenges faced by digital health companies. Bronwyn’s inspiring leadership and communication skills, with an investment perspective have led the innovation path to growth and success for 10 companies in ANDHealth programs.

Bronwyn’s executive experience in the health technology sector has spanned venture capital, transaction management, capital raising, corporate development, investor relations and industry advocacy.

Reflecting her role in the healthcare industry and the impact made by ANDHealth, Bronwyn was recently recognised as BioMelbourne Network’s Most Valuable Women in Leadership 2020. Under Bronwyn’s leadership and delivery by the ANDHealth team, companies in the accelerator program have raised over $28 million in capital, created more than 165 jobs and have treated over 70,000 patients since 2017.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

World Refugee Day – Professor Munjed Al Muderis

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Professor Munjed Al Muderis is an Australian trained Orthopaedic Surgeon and Chairman of The Osseointegration Group of Australia. Born in Baghdad, Munjed had to flee Iraq as a young Doctor having refused the orders of Saddam Hussein to mutilate army deserters’ ears. Munjed endured a life-threatening journey to Australia by boat. After spending 10 months in Curtin Detention Centre, upon his release, he embarked on a mission to become an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Today he is an Orthopaedic Surgeon, specialising in hip, knee and reconstructive surgery, and now advocates for the human rights of others.

Funded out of his own pocket, Munjed has taken a team to his former homeland of Iraq seven times, to help the victims of the conflict he fled, and has educated other orthopaedic surgeons in the osseointegration technique and in complex limb reconstruction.

His surgical innovations and breakthroughs are helping Australians and people throughout the world.

Apart from his academic and clinical roles, Munjed is heavily involved in humanitarian work. Munjed is a Patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre, Sanctuary Australia Foundation and the New South Wales Amputee Association and an Ambassador of the Australian Red Cross, Amnesty International Australia and Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW.

In 2020, Munjed was awarded the NSW Australian Of the Year. Today 20th June 2020 is #WorldRefugeeDay and we recognise Professor Munjed Al Muderis’s achievements.

#EveryActionCounts
#EveryoneCanMakeADifference[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

People In MedTech – Nicki Walsh

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Since starting at Tunstall, Nicki has been successful in achieving gender balance across all levels of the organisation. Her career background has not in fact been medical. Before joining Tunstall, Nicki worked across oil & gas, legal as well as aged care and child care sectors.

Today Nicki’s role as HR Director includes compliance, recognising the impact staff make to the organisation and actively supporting staff and interns within a family friendly and flexible culture.

Tunstall supplies medical emergency alarms and monitoring (Connected Care) and telehealth care products. Nicki tells Pulseline, Tunstall staff have high levels of work satisfaction in supplying medical products that help people live independent lives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]