INDUSTRY SESSIONS
Details on the industry sessions can be found below. Register for these sessions via the online registration form.
| Date | Tuesday, 6 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 07:00 - 08:00 |
| Location | Central Room C, Ground Floor, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre |
| Session Title | Pharmacogenetics in Psychiatry |
| Speakers | | |
| Session Synopsis | Pharmacogenomics is increasingly used by psychiatrists to proactively guide the prescribing of new medications, or reactively if treatment fails. This session explores the medications for which there is prescribing guidance available based on the results of pharmacogenomic testing, and how these results may be used to personalise treatment plans. |
| Breakfast | 🍽️ Breakfast will be provided |
| Industry Breakfast Sponsor |
| Date | Wednesday, 7 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 07:00 - 08:00 |
| Location | Central Room C, Ground Floor, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre |
| Session Title | DVA’s support for complex mental health care in Veterans |
| Speakers | | |
| Session Synopsis |
More than half a million Australians have served in the Australian Defence Force
(ADF). More than 6000 Australian enlist in the ADF each year. The unique nature
of ADF service promotes protective factors that can lead to improved health
outcomes but also exposes some members to risk factors that may lead to poor
health during and after their military service. Half of people who have ever
served in the ADF have experienced a mental disorder
in their lifetime, with certain cohorts of veterans being more likely to
experience current and long-term mental health concerns than their non-veteran
counterparts.
Options to support veterans with complex mental health presentations are comprehensive and ever evolving. This includes not only medical and psychological options, but a range of additional supports to enhance veteran access to entitlements and care coordination. This session will provide information on some of the key pathways into holistic mental health care for veterans. Through relevant case studies, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Chief Psychiatrist, A/Prof Jonathon (Jon) Lane, and Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Anna Colwell, will explore veteran journeys identifying ways DVA can support the provision of contemporary best practice mental health care. |
| Breakfast | 🍽️ Breakfast will be provided |
| Industry Breakfast Sponsor |
Professor Luke Hesson
Professor Luke Hesson is a Clinical Scientist with more than 20 years’ experience in cancer research and genetic pathology. He holds a doctorate in Clinical Genetics and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Science of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). As Manager of the Genetics Department at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Luke provides scientific supervision of genetic testing including pharmacogenomics and comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer. He is affiliated with UNSW Sydney and University of Technology Sydney where he lectures in genetics, epigenetics, cancer, pathology and precision medicine. Luke is Vice-Chair of the Australasian Society for Diagnostic Genomics (ASDG) and co-Chair of the RCPA Pharmacogenetic Advisory Group, which recently provided guidance for prescribers, pharmacologists and pathologists regarding clinical indications for pharmacogenomics testing in Australia.
Dr Tom Polasek
Dr. Tom Polasek is a Clinical Pharmacologist who works in the healthcare, life sciences and tertiary education sectors. Tom’s main interest is the application of clinical pharmacology principles to improve patient care. He is the author of 150 peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations. Tom has been an Investigator on over 150 clinical studies and has supported countless drug development programs. Tom is Associate Medical Director of CMAX Clinical Research in Adelaide and is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University in Melbourne. Tom is also a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology.
Dr Anna Colwell
Deputy Chief Health Officer, Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Dr Anna Colwell started in June 2023 as the Deputy Chief Health Officer at
the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her work includes overseeing clinical
governance, provider education, supporting veterans during transition and
input to policy and programs in DVA.
Dr Colwell completed her medical degree at the University of Tasmania, along
with a Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at James Cook
University. She is a Fellow of the RACGP and ACTM, and Associate Fellow of
the ACHSM.
While continuing to work as a GP, she has undertaken roles in medical
education, as a Senior Medical Advisor at the Australian Department of
Health, as Deputy National Manager at Open Arms- veterans and families
counselling, and with the Australian Capital Territory COVID-19 Response
Team.
Throughout her career, Dr Colwell has remained interested in prevention,
communication and improving systems.
A/Professor Jonathan Lane
Chief Psychiatrist, Department of Veterans’ AffairsAssociate Professor Jonathan Lane, FRANZCP, MBBS (Hons), PhD has been in the Army for over 30 years and is an Afghanistan veteran. He has recently completed a PhD developing and evaluating the effectiveness of peer led psychoeducation and skills-based interventions for mental health problems for military, veterans, and emergency services personnel. He is a clinician, as well as holding a number of different roles. These include working as the Chief Psychiatrist for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA); the Psychiatry Lead for the University of Tasmania School of Medicine; is a Reserve member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF); a member of national and state advisory boards; was the Coach of the Australian Invictus team for archery in 2018 and 2022; and a Churchill Fellow in 2015. He has been an invited speaker and presented at a wide range of clinical and educational conferences both internationally and in Australia due to his expertise in the field of military, veteran, and emergency services mental health. His passion is advocating for, and implementing, culturally informed and peer-led interventions that have functional outcomes.
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