We are proud to present an outstanding lineup of expert speakers for the Melbourne GP CPD Conference 2026.
Our speakers bring extensive clinical experience across multiple specialities, providing valuable insights, practical case discussions, and updates relevant to everyday general practice.
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Session 1: Dyspnoea for GPs
Speaker: Dr Archan Patel – Rradiologist
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by I-MED
Strongly influenced by his father, who is also a radiologist, Dr Patel completed his radiology training at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, before undertaking a musculoskeletal fellowship at University of Alberta in Canada. He further expanded his expertise through becoming a research fellow and visiting scholar in musculoskeletal imaging at the University of California, San Diego.
He is South African, Canadian and Australian board certified.
Dr Patel describes the best thing about being a radiologist is seeing the impact radiology can have on improving healthcare outcomes. Radiology, as part of a collaborative approach, as well as technological innovations such as AI, continue to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Radiological skills & interests:
- Diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology
Session 2: Interpreting Common Biochemical Abnormalities
Speaker: Dr Marie van Drimmelen – Chemical Pathologist
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by Melbourne Pathology
Dr Van Drimmelen graduated from the University of the Free State, South Africa with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1991. She then went on to train at several facilities as an Intern and House Officer before becoming a Fellow of the College of Pathologists (Chemical Pathology) in South Africa in 1998.
Dr Van Drimmelen went on to complete her MBA at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Washington in 2000, while working as a Consulting Pathologist at Hosmed in Johannesburg. After completing her MBA, she continued working as a Chemical Pathologist in Independent Practice before relocating to Northern Ireland where she was appointed Locum Consultant Chemical Pathologist.
Dr Van Drimmelen completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Endocrinology and Diabetes in 2012 and achieved her Fellowship by Invitation of Council (United Kingdom) in 2016. She went on to work as a Consultant Chemical Pathologist at a number of hospitals in Europe and then New Zealand before relocating to Australia in 2022 where she gained her Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, and was subsequently appointed Director of Chemical Pathology at Austin Health Pathology.
Dr Van Drimmelen joined Melbourne Pathology as a Chemical Pathologist in early 2026 and has special interests in endocrinology, diabetes and lipids.
Session 3: Approach to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Speaker: Dr Ali Aminazad – Respiratory and Sleep Physician
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by Respiratory Sleep Disorder Centre
Dr Ali Aminazad is an experienced sleep and respiratory physician at RSDC and Eastern Health, with over 13 years of expertise in the field. He serves as a Teaching Associate at Monash University and is the lead for pulmonary hypertension and cardiopulmonary exercise testing at Eastern Health and in private practice. He is the Australian Biathelon Team Doctor and helping Australian athletes in their international competitions.
Dr Aminazad is deeply involved in managing complex sleep diseases, including obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea, hypoventilation syndromes and hypercapnic respiratory failure. He also plays an active role in the Lung Cancer Screening Program in Australia and already stablished 5 centres for LCSP.
Session 4: State of Play in ASCVD Care: Australian Insights & Actionable Strategies
Speaker: Dr Vivek Mutha – Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist
Dr Vivek Mutha is an experienced General Cardiologist, Arrhythmia, and Device Specialist based in Melbourne.
Dr Mutha is a lecturer at the University of Melbourne and an expert in the diagnosis and management of rhythm disorders. He completed his basic physician training at Monash Health, followed by cardiology training at Northern Hospital, Austin Health, and Ballarat. He further specialised in cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at Monash Health, where he acquired expertise in complex electrophysiology and device implantation.
As the director of Heart of Melbourne Cardiology, Dr Mutha is dedicated to providing high-quality service and improving patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
Session 5: Menopause management in general practice
Speaker: Dr Leila Foroughinia – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by Arrotex
Mitcham Private Hospital would like to introduce Dr Leila Foroughinia, an experienced Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with skill in both low- and high-risk pregnancies and general gynaecology.
With over a decade of experience in this field, she uses evidence-based medicine to tailor treatment to each individual’s or couple’s unique situation and is respectful of the individual patient’s preferences, needs, and values. Leila has a public appointment with Eastern Health (Box Hill Hospital & Angliss Hospital, and Blackburn Hospital), and in private, she works in Knox Private Hospital and Mitcham Private Hospital.
Public Hospitals: Eastern Health (Box Hill Hospital, Angliss Hospital, Blackburn Hospital)
Additional languages: Farsi ( Persian )
Areas of interest:
Obstetric Services
- Pre-pregnancy Counselling
- Antenatal Care
- Genetic Screening
- Vaginal Delivery
- Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC)
- Caesarean Section
- High-Risk Pregnancy Care
- Twin Pregnancy
Gynaecology Services
- Menstrual Issues – including pain, irregular bleeding
- Ovarian Cysts and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Fibroids
- Chronic Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis
- Menopausal Symptoms
- Lower Genital Tract Infections
- Family Planning, Contraception – including insertion of Mirena and Implanon
- Fertility & Preconception Assessments, Investigation, Ovulation Induction
- Pelvic Relaxation & Prolapse
- Paediatric & Adolescent Gynaecological Concerns
- Colposcopy for abnormal pap tests
Session 6: Red, Painful & Worried: A Guide to Acute Eye Presentations
Speaker: Dr Shirley Ma – Ophthalmologist
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by Eye Surgery Associates
Dr Shirley Ma is an experienced ophthalmologist with a strong focus on cataract surgery and comprehensive general ophthalmology, alongside subspecialty expertise in oculoplastic (eyelid and lacrimal) conditions. She supports GPs in managing patients with vision impairment, cataracts, macular disease, and common eye conditions, providing clear communication and efficient pathways to surgical care where required.
Dr Ma consults at Eye Surgery Associates and multiple clinic locations across metropolitan Melbourne, offering flexible access for patients and reducing wait times for referrals.
She completed her ophthalmology training through the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) and has undertaken further subspecialty training in oculoplastic surgery. Her dual expertise enables a comprehensive approach to both functional vision issues and periocular conditions.
Dr Ma is known for her patient-centred approach, which ensures patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options while prioritising optimal visual outcomes and quality of life.
Special Interests:
- Cataract surgery
- General ophthalmology
- Macular disease and retinal conditions
- Intravitreal injections
- Oculoplastic (eyelid and lacrimal) conditions
Session 7: Beyond creams: the Biologic Revolution in Dermatology
Speaker: Dr Ritva Vyas – Dermatologist
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by Arrotex
Dr Ritva Vyas obtained her medical degree (MBChB) from the University of Otago, New Zealand, in 2002. She undertook speciality training in dermatology with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). During her training, she was the recipient of the Turnbull-Hodge Award and the Trans-Tasman exchange scholarship. She completed a dermatology fellowship in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, gaining experience in the management of contact dermatitis and in the use of biologics for psoriasis. She also completed a fellowship in cutaneous oncology at the University Hospitals Case Medical Centre, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
Her research interests included skin cancer epidemiology and melanoma. She has presented at international conferences and contributed to several publications in journals such as the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and JAMA Dermatology. In addition, her subspeciality interest includes vulval dermatology, and she is an active member of the Australia New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS).
She moved with her family to Melbourne in 2015 and became a Fellow of the Australian College of Dermatologists. She has been in private practice in Melbourne for over a decade and also holds a position at the Skin Health Institute, a melanoma and skin cancer clinic. She is a clinical supervisor for dermatology registrars in Victoria. She regularly undertakes educational courses for GPs through the Australian College of Dermatologists initiative – Dermatology Australasia, the leaders in skin health education.
Session 8: Session 8: Beyond creams: the Biologic Revolution in Dermatology
Speaker: Dr Stephen Loi – Consultant Geriatrician and Physician
The session, presentation and speaker selection delivered by Elite Geriatric Care
Dr Stephen Loi completed his specialist training with Eastern Health in 2012 and undertook a Clinical Diploma in Palliative Care Medicine before commencing work as a consultant geriatrician.
Stephen has a special interest in memory assessment.
Stephen consults at Box Hill, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Blackburn, Frankston, and at Residential Aged Care Facilities.
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese and Foochow.
Workshop A: Travel Medicine: Inside the Consult – Risk Assessment and Prevention Planning
Speaker: Caroline Nash
Caroline has extensive experience and qualifications in travel and tropical medicine, infectious diseases, public health, immunisation, and infection prevention and control. She holds Fellowships with the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine (ACTM) and its Faculty of Travel Medicine.
She is a current ACTM Advisory Council Member and Co-Chair of Travel Health Nurses of Australia and New Zealand (THNANZ) and former Chair of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) Nursing Professional Group Steering Committee. She contributed to the development of the Travel Medicine Clinical Guidelines for Japanese Encephalitis (Australia and New Zealand).
She completed a public health placement at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies in Bangkok and a Tropical Medicine elective at Mahidol University and has co-authored a Rabies Awareness for Travellers brochure, contributed to global rabies education initiatives and provided consultancy to travel clinics.
She has undertaken deployments across the Pacific, Japan and Europe, and served in the West Africa Ebola crisis, for which she was awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal. She currently serves as Manager of Clinical Governance and Strategy at Aspen Medical.
Workshop B: If you are not referring for Conduction System Pacing, are you behind?
Speaker 1: Dr Vivek Mutha – Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist
Dr Vivek Mutha is an experienced General Cardiologist, Arrhythmia, and Device Specialist based in Melbourne.
Dr Mutha is a lecturer at the University of Melbourne and an expert in the diagnosis and management of rhythm disorders. He completed his basic physician training at Monash Health, followed by cardiology training at Northern Hospital, Austin Health, and Ballarat. He further specialised in cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at Monash Health, where he acquired expertise in complex electrophysiology and device implantation.
As the director of Heart of Melbourne Cardiology, Dr Mutha is dedicated to providing high-quality service and improving patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
Workshop B: If you are not referring for Conduction System Pacing, are you behind?
Speaker 2: A/Prof M Asrar ul Haq – Consultant Interventional Cardiologist
A/Prof M Asrar ul Haq is a distinguished Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist based in Melbourne. He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and completed extensive training in the United Kingdom at renowned institutions, including Bristol Royal Infirmary and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. In Australia, he further refined his expertise at Austin Health and Northern Health in Melbourne, as well as Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth.
A/Prof M Asrar ul Haq earned his Doctorate at the University of Melbourne, focusing on early echocardiographic assessment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).
As a specialist in coronary interventional procedures, including angioplasties via femoral and radial access, he is widely recognised for his mastery of the transradial approach. He has been instrumental in establishing radial access programmes in Australian hospitals and is a sought-after speaker at international conferences.
Workshop C: Presentation 1: From Falls to Fixation: Preventing and Treating Fragility Fractures
Presentation 2: Knee Examination and Common Knee Conditions in General Practice
Speaker: Dr Jarrad Stevens – Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr Jarrad Stevens is a Melbourne trained Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in trauma, hip and knee joint replacement and revision replacements as well soft tissue conditions around the knee.
Jarrad has completed fellowships in complex and revision hip and knee replacement surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland. He then went on to complete fellowships at Southmead Major Trauma Centre in England and the prestigious Avon Orthopaedic Centre, where he specialised in soft tissue knee surgery, patellofemoral joint stabilisation procedures, ACL reconstruction and sports injuries.
During his time in the United Kingdom, Jarrad was awarded his Master of Surgery degree from the University of Edinburgh and was presented the Sir Harold Stiles Medal for his research into revision knee replacements. Complementing a strong academic background, Jarrad is serving member of the Australian Defence Force, and has deployed on active service to Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other areas of the Middle East.
Jarrad now works with patients in the public and private sectors in Melbourne and regularly cares for soft tissue and bone injury, sporting injuries and chronic disease.
