BPharm MBBS FRACGP
GP

Dr Yim works as a General Practitioner in Hervey Bay. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners after achieving his MBBS from Griffith University, Gold Coast. He is a passionate medical educator and hosts registrars and medical students in his practice.  He continues on from his role as Vice President and Chair of AMA Queensland Council (2022-2024).  As a previous pharmacist, he acknowledges the importance of multidisciplinary and collaborative care to ensure patient care.

"It is a privilege being the President of AMA Queensland. Our membership is broad and we represent all doctors from medical students, doctors in training, GPs, public and private specialists. As a profession we need to see long-term planning and not band aid solutions. We must always continue to support and promote the importance of collaborative evidence-based practice. By working together, sharing knowledge and leveraging each other's strengths, we can achieve the common goal, which is optimising the health of Queenslanders.”

MD FACS FRACS 
General, Breast and Oncologic Surgeon

Dr Emilia Dauway is the former Chief of Breast Surgery and director of the Breast Cancer Program at Baylor, Scott and White Healthcare in Texas, USA. She is an American-trained surgeon who has taken the opportunity to practice general, breast and oncologic surgery in Australia.

MBBS FRACGP GAICD
GP

Dr Maria Boulton is an industry leader, GP specialist, business owner, media commentator and public speaker. She has two decades’ experience working in private practice and hospitals in Brisbane and regional Queensland. She has driven state and national health policy through leadership roles in AMA Queensland, AMA, RACGP, Australian GP Alliance and Queensland Medical Women’s Society. She is the Immediate Past President of AMA Queensland. Dr Boulton completed her medical degree at The University of Queensland in 2002. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and a graduate and member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Opening Family Doctors Plus increased my awareness of the challenges faced by my GP and non-GP specialist colleagues, motivating me to become involved in creating positive change. Primarily, these challenges revolve around providing quality, evidence-based healthcare in the face of dwindling funding and inadequate MBS rebates.”

MBBS FRCSI FRACS
Urologist

Dr Sanjeev Bandi is a consultant urologist trained in India, Ireland and Australia. Dr Bandi was the Chair of the Special Advisory Group in Andrology of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand for two terms from 2007 to 2014. He has been Australia’s Highest Fund Raiser for MOVEMBER since 2015 and is a proud MOVEMBER Community Ambassador and men’s health and well-being advocate. He has a passion for patient education and has been a pioneer in using digital technology, virtual reality and artificial intelligence in creating mobile applications to enhance understanding of urological ailments worldwide. 
 
“I am looking forward to representing the regional doctors from the Capricornia Area again for my third term, and those of us who work hard in these trying times to balance work and family commitments. I would like to see doctors be more proactive in influencing their own quality of life and set an example for healthy living. I have been a strong campaigner to raise awareness of the pandemic of physician burnout in this country and am keen to be a role model to influence change in the nutrition and activity practices across the wider community."
 

MBChB DCH 
Vocationally registered GP

Dr Sharmila Biswas works part-time in general practice, as well as part-time at the Australian Digital Health Agency since 2008 and Cairns Private Hospital Pre-Admission Clinic. She has also had the experience of working in a Community Controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisation (1997-2011).

"Part-time work provides incredible opportunities to interact in many areas of practice but also presents challenges with respect to employment status, remuneration, subscriptions and expectations.

I feel there is a need for important advocacy for a large cohort of medical practitioners who are occupied by other priorities at different times of their careers with care of children, elders, pre-retirement and other areas of work voluntary or remunerated which actually gives them wider perspective and creates a sustainable workforce.”
 

MBBS FRACGP MMed (GP) FAICD
GP

Dr Eleanor Chew is a GP specialist with extensive experience representing the role of primary care in the health services profession. A graduate of the University of Queensland, Dr Chew has over 35 years’ experience as a GP, working in a variety of practice settings across Australia. 

“As a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, I have a clear understanding of my responsibilities as director and chair, and will work to ensure that the AMA Queensland Board exercises its responsibilities and fiduciary duty to support the association in serving its members. In my various roles representing the profession, I have gained valuable insights into the many challenges facing the medical profession, providing a sound basis for me to support Council to formulate policy and provide direction for the advancement of critical issues affecting Queensland doctors.”

MBBS FRACGP
GP

Dr Abha Chikarsal is a General Practitioner working in the field of skin cancer medicine in Margate. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

She has completed her General Practice training in rural Victoria in 2011 and has since worked in rural and metropolitan Australia since 2006 in various hospitals, urgent care centres, aged care facilities, general practice clinics and a skin cancer centre. She is passionate about supporting GPs to upskill particularly in skin cancer medicine and women's health.

"Working in rural locations of Victoria, I understand the unique challenges of doctors working tin these locations and the needs of the patients in these communities.

I am looking forward to representing doctors on important issues of financial sustainability of general practice, funding specific Medicare item numbers needed to support patients affected by family violence and promoting doctors' own health and wellbeing. I want to work on strengthening AMA membership. In order to address medical work force shortage in metropolitan, rural and remote Australia, I want to help streamline pathways for international medical graduates going through the process of medical registration.

My intention is to represent the views and voices of doctors in the Greater Brisbane area. "

MBBS FRACGP DAME
GP

Dr Cyril Gabriel Fernandez works as a GP at Wishart Medical Centre. He has been a Fellow of the Australian College of General Practice (FRACGP) since 2005. He has been a Supervisor for GPTQ and mentor for medical students and GP Registrars, an examiner Standards Setting Committee member for the RACGP.

Dr Fernandez is an International Medical Graduate who did his MBBS degree in India. He is now the President of the Indian Medical Association of Australia, Queensland Branch. He has worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for few years and in India as a GP prior to moving to Australia.

He has worked at Ipswich Hospital, MediPrac Logan in Logan City, Brisbane City Doctors, and over the years since 2003 in Australia he has done locum work as a Deputising GP Dr for Family Care Medical Services and has worked as GP in Aboriginal Centres in Queensland.

He is a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and also a Supervisor Doctor for Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme and Mine Minerals and Quarry Workers.

"I have been an AMA Queensland member since 2003 and on the Committee of General Practice member for the last few years. It's a good feeling being an IMG to be part of AMA and share the same platform and events as other doctors - GP and specialists in Australia.

AMA Queensland provides good opportunities for networking with peer doctors and others, while attending AMA Queensland meetings, conferences, seminars, symposiums and Dinner for the Profession, as well as AMA Queensland Foundation events.

AMA Queensland is a good advocacy organisation for doctors and offers great support through their corporate partners. AMA Queensland addresses important community and public health issues and puts forward sensible solutions to challenging health issues.

I am happy and proud to be an AMA member for number of years and it gives me a good feeling to think and accept that of 'birds of the same feather sticking together'.

By joining the AMA Queensland Council, I will be able to contribute much more to all the AMA Queensland events and activities."
 

BPharm MBBS
Emergency Physician

Dr Erica Gannon is a senior medical officer and staff specialist emergency physician.  Professionally she has been in clinical practice for 17 years in Australia and overseas and currently practices at the Caboolture Hospital and St Andrews War Memorial Hospital. A former pharmacist, she began her medical studies in 2000 at the University of Sydney and completed her fellowship with The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in 2012. She is highly motivated to continue to make significant contributions to Council through advocacy and policy development/changes for the benefit of our profession, working environments and wellbeing.  

“I believe that the AMA is a powerful and important body.  Championing leadership and advocacy for members, patients and the community in general is of paramount importance. Representing members on Council has provided me a platform to not only benefit others, but also allow me that opportunity to help maintain and uphold the traditions and integrity of the medical profession in which we work."
 

BBus/LLB MBBS DCH MPhil FRACGP
GP and Senior Lecturer

Dr Green is a GP working in Windsor in the inner north of Brisbane, in a vibrant cradle-to-grave and doctor-owned general practice. She grew up in Toowoomba and medicine is her second career - she lived and worked in Canberra in the early 2000s, working in law and policy for the federal government. She had always been drawn to medicine and made the jump from law to complete her medical degree at the University of Queensland in 2008, followed by hospital years, parenthood and Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She has worked as an academic at the University of Queensland and particularly enjoyed her time meeting and working with dedicated GP teachers of medical students throughout the region. She maintains ongoing interest and involvement in research and teaching.  

"My AMA membership, continuous since medical school, has always been a comfort to me. I value the collegiality of fellow members and being part of an organisation that fights for me and my patients. I now put up my hand to use my skills and experience to advocate for my fellow AMA members at a time when we face challenges including care fragmentation and government temptation to replace doctors with less experienced and less safe alternatives. I will advocate strongly and strategically for the interests of AMA Queensland members and the safety of our patients."
 

FRACP FAChPM FRCPA MAICD, GIA (Affiliated)
Clinical Haematology, Medical Oncology, Palliative Care
 
Assoc Prof Hawson has been a medical specialist for over 45 years and an Eminent Specialist with Queensland Health for the 10 years preceding his retirement from public practice. Assoc Prof Hawson established and/or developed oncology, haematology and palliative care services at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) and Redcliffe, Caboolture Nambour Hospitals. Widely published, he has extensive experience in research, clinical trials, pathology services, ethics and advisory committees. Currently, his part-time, private practice is in non-malignant haematology. He is a Director of the Compass Institute and President of the Australian Senior Active Doctors Association.

“As Senior Doctors representative, I’ve highlighted the concerns of senior doctors as they transition towards retirement and encounter obstacles and stresses around maintaining registration. I am passionate about ensuring that pathways are in place to support doctors’ continued contributions to their communities after they wind down busy practices.  Senior doctors are an under-utilised asset in advancing the health of the Australian community and it’s imperative that a lifetime of expertise doesn’t go to waste. I’m proud to serve on the AMA Queensland Board which has a history of supporting senior doctors and lobbying on their behalf for a registration category to enable doctors’ ongoing contributions.”
 

BSc MD CCFP FRACGP FCFP
GP

Dr Sandra Hirowatari is a semi-retired GP doing rural locums in two countries, Australia and Canada. She is of Japanese-Canadian descent, born in Vancouver and lives in Cairns. She is a Fellow of the RACGP and the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and a past Board member for British Columbia College of Family Physicians of Canada, RACGP (SA), Adelaide North Division of GP. She's a past Councillor AMA WA, past Chair AMA Council of Rural Doctors, past Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Council Member. Dr Hirowatari is currently a Rural Councillor for the Australian Federation of Medical Women; a Clinical Instructor for the University of British Columbia; and on roster at the Cairns Base Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital as a Forensic Sexual Assault Examiner.

"My personal mission statement is to be a source of illuminating empowerment for my patients and colleagues. I believe those of us in advocacy roles have some common motivating forces.  We have felt anger at injustices, we hold with great respect those advocates who work to equalise inequities, and we feel we need to speak for those who do not have a voice. I feel AMA Queensland aligns with my personal mission statement."

MBBS MPH MHNut GCertEd(Careers)
Dr Emma Hodge is a current RACMA candidate, Queensland's only Medical Education and Wellbeing Registrar and Clinical Lead (Medical Wellbeing) for the Medical Wellbeing project within the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. As the AMA Queensland CDT Wellbeing Special Interest Group (SIG) Lead for the past two years, Dr Hodge has played a pivotal role in shaping statewide wellbeing initiatives, collaborating with Queensland Health’s Medical Workforce Wellbeing Reference Group and Doctor’s Health Queensland, alongside extensive engagement with doctors in training at various forums, conferences and AMA events. An Associate Lecturer at UQ, Dr Hodge also has achieved a Master of Public Health and Master of Human Nutrition, as well as several first author international journal publications. Her passion lies in advocating for changes at a systematic level to enhance the training experience, career progression and wellbeing of doctors in training.
 
“As CDT Chair, I am excited about the opportunity to lead and advocate on behalf of my colleagues, championing initiatives that improve education, wellbeing and workforce sustainability for all doctors in training.

My goals include strengthening engagement within the CDT, particularly among SIG members and hospital representatives, to ensure our initiatives have widespread impact. I am eager to advocate for improved training experiences in regional hospitals, address barriers to specialty training and work with specialist medical colleges to enhance accreditation flexibility in regional settings.

The wellbeing of doctors in training remains at the heart of my advocacy. Having led initiatives that contributed to Bundaberg Hospital achieving the highest Resident Hospital Health Check grade in Queensland, I am committed to supporting CDT members to drive similar systemic improvements in their own hospitals.
Additionally, I am keen to progress the ward call survey recommendations into a federal position statement and work towards their implementation across Queensland hospitals. Ensuring safe working conditions, promoting practitioner wellbeing and enhancing career opportunities for doctors in training will be my priorities as CDT Chair.”
 

MBBS FRACGP
GP

Dr Imran Kajani is a GP and clinic owner based in Brisbane. He completed his medical degree at the University of Western Australia in 2007 and is committed to representing the diverse needs of doctors across all specialties and practice settings. Dr Imran is also the Medical Director of a national organisation dedicated to assisting veterans with healthcare access and DVA-related processes. He serves on the Brisbane North PHN Clinicians' Advisory Group and works collaboratively across both public and private sectors. Passionate about leveraging technology and innovative systems to strengthen care delivery, he brings a balanced, practical perspective and deep understanding of frontline medicine to AMA Queensland.

"It’s an honour to represent the Greater Brisbane region through AMA Queensland. My experience in clinical practice and working across different parts of the health system has shown me how policy changes and systemic pressures impact doctors and patients alike. These insights have reinforced how intricately connected our services are, and how reforms in one area can create widespread ripple effects. I’m committed to contributing to AMA Queensland’s efforts to ensure clear, strong representation for doctors across all settings. We must build a sustainable future for medicine that supports quality care, respects our workforce, and empowers our next generation of doctors to thrive."

MBBS FRACGP
GP

Dr MacLeod works as a General Practitioner in Custodial Health for West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, and has previously worked in both Adult and Children’s Gender Services and Sexual Health and HIV Service.

Dr MacLeod has special interests in primary health care, sexual and reproductive health care, inclusive healthcare, health equity and medical education.

"My priorities in the role with AMA Queensland council are:

• recognition of the specialist skills of GPs
• advocating for GPs and all GPs-in-training, irrespective of their pathway to specialty
• advocating for priority populations in all aspects of healthcare (medical education, equitable health service delivery, and inclusive, trauma-informed, culturally-responsive healthcare).

MBBS MD FRANZCOG DDU Grad Cert EBP PhD 
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Assoc Prof Alka Kothari is a Senior Staff Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a Metro-North Clinician Research Fellow and a Conjoint Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Queensland.

She has a passionate interest in encouraging multidisciplinary research in perinatal mental health, women’s imaging, and medical education. She has undertaken a PhD on ‘Forgotten Fathers in Pregnancy and Childbirth’ and is currently translating her research into practice. Assoc Prof Kothari has been invited to present her research at numerous international and national conferences. She is an ardent advocate for fathers and partners. She serves on the Board, Clinical Advisory Committees and Governance Committees and provides expert guidance and support to several not-for-profit fatherhood organisations nationally. Assoc Prof Kothari has received various awards for research excellence, leadership and teaching.

"I am keen to continue contributing to AMA Queensland's health advocacy in the areas of maternity services, mental health and wellbeing, and medical education and training. With my established track record in research, I am keen to build research capacity and promote collaborative partnerships nationally to improve care for our patients and doctors.”
 

BComm (Hons) BHSci (Hons) MBBS GCElead FACEM AFRACMA
Emergency physician, staff specialist

Dr Robert Nayer is an emergency physician working at the Mount Isa Base Hospital in remote Queensland. He previously chaired the AMA Queensland Committee of Doctors in Training and was a member of the ED Ramping Round table. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Queensland Doctors Health Program, and was involved in advocacy to enact legislative change making hospital and health service boards legally responsible for the psychosocial wellbeing of their staff.

"As an emergency physician, I'm acutely aware of the dire situation our primary and public health care systems are facing which puts our patients, and the mental health of doctors, at risk. More than ever, doctors need strong advocacy and public engagement to make sure we, and our patients, are not left behind as the health system tries to cope with increasing complexity and service demands. My focus is on workforce planning throughout the medical training pipeline, and  the wellbeing of the health workforce. AMA Queensland plays an important role in all of our professional lives, giving us all a voice for change."
 

MBBS FRACGP MPH AFPHM
GP and public health physician  

Dr Katie Panaretto is a highly experienced GP and public health physician. She has worked in both urban, regional and remote areas across Queensland. Dr Panaretto has served on many national committees including the Medicare Review Taskforce - GP and Primary Care Committee, the North West Health and Hospital Service Board. She currently sits on the national eHealth committee. Dr Panaretto is respected for important contributions to maternal health, and health information systems in general practice and Aboriginal primary health.  

“I am acutely aware of issues facing our profession, our health workforce and the community. We need to make sure any reforms are fair to all and will make a genuine difference to our health system.  In addition, the impacts of climate change on our health and the health system will increase in the next decade - we must work with governments to mitigate these impacts, keep our governments accountable. We need more innovation and commitment from government in our urban planning and active travel systems to achieve gains in mental health, inclusion, connectivity and physical health for our patients and our community. I look forward to working with members and our organisation in health reform and health prevention to safeguard both the community and our workforce.”

MBChB FRACS FACS CHIA
Paediatric Surgeon, Queensland State Medical Lead Quality Improvement, Chief Medical Information Officer (Part)
 
Assoc Prof Patel works as a paediatric surgeon in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, both in public and private practice. He is the State Clinical Lead for Surgical Quality Improvement at Clinical Excellence Queensland and leads the Australian Paediatric collaborative for the National Safety and Quality Improvement Program. He is an Associate Professor at University of Queensland, and Honorary Adjunct Associate Professor at Bond University. His interests include systems design, education, technology (digital health/AI), patient engagement and health literacy. He serves on a variety of international, national and state committees for his craft, education, governance and digital health.  
 
"I'm here to help build a better healthcare system that uses technology wisely for equitable care with advocacy for children and their families. I'll continue to mentor the junior clinical workforce to ensure fulfilment in their rotations and successful transition to leadership roles. Together, we are here to serve the community." 
 

Emergency Specialist 

"Having worked with my fellow AMA Queensland Committee of Consultant Specialist members for the past year and assisted the AMA Queensland leadership team to highlight inequities and staff and patient safety threats within hospital and emergency medicine in Queensland, I welcome the opportunity while on Council to continue my energetic advocacy on behalf of all colleagues and above all our patients, who rely on us to fight for better processes and outcomes.

I have many years of SMO experience in Queensland Health, involving myself in working groups, HHS level committees and executive brief authorship, in order to highlight safety and equity concerns and pursue urgent responses from health executives to address them.

Although I am an emergency specialist, I see all parts of the health system as interlinked, so have always collaborated with fellow specialists from primary care and the inpatient setting, in pursuing the end goal of safe and equitable care for all patients, no matter where they are cared for.

I am keen to hear the concerns and views of all members when relaying the impacts on themselves and their patients, when the system does not work as it should. I am also eager to consider all possible angles of advocacy to address these problems and look forward to representing all members in these endeavours.

Lastly, those that know me, value my ability to support and stand up for colleagues in their workplace, ensuring fairness and safety at work is front and centre in our professional lives."
 

MBBS MRCGP FRACGP
GP

Dr Sidd Sarmah has been working as a GP for almost two decades initially in the UK before emigrating to the sunny state of Queensland more than 12 years ago. He brings with him a weath of experience in clinical and management roles. Currently he is a Gold Coast resident and is the Principal GP of two medium-sized GP clinics at Ormeau and Mudgeeraba. He is also quite active in advocacy roles serving as a active GP committee member on the Gold Coast PHN and also serving on the AMA Queensland Committee of General Practitioners. He is also the current serving Secretary of the Indian Medical Association of Queensland and is active in promoting multicultural events as a Vice President on the Coast Indian Art and Cultural Association.

"I am deeply passionate about health advocacy within general practice and committed to addressing health inequalities. With a strong interest in GP teaching, I believes general practice should remain at the forefront of medicine, providing holistic and accessible care. I'm a firm believer in the Australian general practice model, which has the potential to be a global leader. My goal is to inspire and encourage young medical students to pursue careers as GPs and to actively engage in advocacy roles, ensuring the continued growth and success of the profession for future generations."

MBBS
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Principal House Officer

Dr Sayed is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Principal House Officer at Ipswich Hospital, deeply committed to women's health, wellbeing, education and advocacy. Her passion is reflected in her current roles as Vice Chair of Prevocational Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (PVOGS) (Queensland), Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) Wellbeing Advocate, and Events Lead at Queensland Medical Women’s Society (QMWS). She has been a part of the Bullying, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Working Group with RANZCOG and Co-Chair of the International Medical Graduate Reference Group.

"As an international medical graduate, I’ve personally experienced the unique challenges faced by IMGs—ranging from rejection and isolation to bullying, discrimination, and imposter syndrome. These experiences have fuelled my dedication to creating positive change. Through online content creation and active engagement, I now support fellow IMGs by creating content and engagement on my social media community. As an IMG Rep, I aim to be a dedicated voice for international medical graduates, driving meaningful change across all levels of training and leadership. With the help of my diverse clinical, advocacy, and lived experiences, I strive to represent the unique challenges IMGs face, from professional hurdles to personal resilience. My goal is to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive culture by addressing systemic barriers, promoting transparent pathways, and advocating for fair opportunities in training and career progression. I am committed to empowering fellow IMGs through mentorship, education, and community building to help them navigate their journey with confidence, clarity, and a sense of belonging."

BBiotech
Medical Student (University of Queensland)

Vishaak is a pre-penultimate medical student at the University of Queensland with a strong passion for research and advocacy. Prior to studying medicine, Vishaak spent three years as a researcher at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and separately worked in healthcare consulting to build inclusive models promoting Australian healthcare resilience. He has extensive experience volunteering in the geriatric care sector and founded a charity amidst COVID-19 to improve mental wellbeing in aged care networks across Queensland. Vishaak was named as an Australian Financial Review Top100 Future Leader and an Asialink 40 Under 40 Asian Australian and has a strong passion for improving wellbeing throughout the healthcare sector.

"There has never been a better time to join the medical profession and with all the advancements in the healthcare landscape come unique challenges medical students must overcome. In generations past, the medicine doctors learnt in university was built over decades and remained best practice for large parts of their careers; however, this is no longer the case. Rapid innovation, streamlined implementation and administration, and a greater reliance on diversified talent is leading to an iterative day-to-day profession. There is a growing emphasis now on teaching students how to learn, knowing that the content of today will be vastly different from the practice of tomorrow. I hope to bring a unique perspective to improve agility in the AMA Queensland to best prepare all doctors for the profession of tomorrow."