DRIVERS 2024 Presenters
We’re excited to welcome our presenters to DRIVERS 2024, listed alphabetically by surname.
 | Srinaama AdikariDisparities in Cancer Incidences and Outcomes: A Study of Rural VictoriaSrinaama Adikari is a third-year medical student at Monash University, currently completing his clinical placements at West Gippsland Hospital. With a keen interest in oncology and medical technology, Srinaama is actively involved in analysing research focused on cancer disparities in rural Victoria. His dedication to improving healthcare outcomes in underserved communities is reflected in his commitment to enhancing cancer care accessibility. Outside his academic pursuits, Srinaama is passionate about community engagement and aims to integrate his medical expertise with public health initiatives to benefit the Gippsland region. |
 | Anupamjot (Anna) AjnohaDistress Among Cancer Survivors: A Prospective Study on Breast and Prostate Cancer in Gippsland Anna Ajnoha is a third-year medical student at Monash University, currently based at Central Gippsland Health Sale for 2024. She completed two years of medical science at Monash University Clayton. With a passion for global health, Anna has been involved in planning and executing numerous student led global health conferences, focusing on bridging healthcare access inequalities between metropolitan and rural areas. Born and raised in a small remote village in India, she frequently returns to witness and address healthcare disparities. In high school, Anna attended a three-month leadership camp at the Alpine School of Leadership, Gnurad Gundidj campus, where she engaged in community volunteer activities and learned from Indigenous elders, sparking her interest in rural communities within Australia. She aspires to become a doctor and bridge healthcare gaps, particularly in poverty-stricken countries like India. |
| Zachary AngusBlurred Vision in the Bush: Cystoid Macular Oedema from Immune Checkpoint InhibitorZac is a Monash medical student. Having completed two years of placement rurally he is currently taking an intermission year to focus on research and travelling. He has an interest in ophthalmology and recognises the underserved ophthalmic needs of many rural Australians. |
 | Sharnali BaruaBiological Subclass of the Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Gippsland: A Retrospective AuditSharnali is a medical student currently studying at Monash University and completing her first year of placement at Latrobe Regional Health. Interested in pursuing a career in a rural setting, Sharnali intends to complete the next 3 years of her medical schooling undergoing placement across several rural hospitals. Her interests in specialisation currently include emergency medicine, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, paediatrics, obstetrics and surgery. Sharnali hopes to pursue further research opportunities to deepen and complement her medical knowledge as she continues in her education. |
 | Dr Jason CoxCost effectiveness of routine planned critical care admission for high-risk emergency major abdominal surgeryDr Jason Cox is a PGY3 resident at Bendigo Health. He grew up in the small North-East Victorian town of Yackandandah and attended Monash University on the Dean’s Rural List. He is an Associate Lecturer at the Monash School of Rural Health. Jason has a passion for rural general surgery and an interest in the interface between general surgery and other specialties such as critical care and women’s health. In his spare time, Jason enjoys producing electronic music and spending time with his cat; Squeeky. |
 | Yannick De SilvaDocumentation of informed consent for anaesthesia: a single-site retrospective audit at a rural Australian hospitalYannick is a final-year medical student at the University of Newcastle. He is currently undertaking a year-long placement at Tamworth Hospital with rotations in critical care, surgery and medicine. He has pursued rural health opportunities through GP placements in Coonabarabran and high school visits to rural communities in the Hunter region. Yannick is also passionate about anaesthesia, medical education and quality improvement initiatives. He hopes to build a career involving both primary and critical care for rural communities. In his spare time, Yannick volunteers with his local St John Ambulance division as a Clinical Educator and Advanced First Aid Responder. |
 | Caitlin del SolarA Retrospective Observational Study of Medical Staff Grade and Patient Treatment Times in the Emergency Department at a Rural Hospital on the Mid-North Coast of New South WalesCaitlin (she/her) is a Charles Sturt University medical student originating from the South Coast and currently in Griffith New South Wales for her fourth and fifth years of medical study. She is passionate about rural medicine and is a rural cadet with the Rural Doctors Network as well as being Vice President of Rural Health Positive, Charles Sturt Universities cross-campus rural health club. When Caitlin is not engaging in all things rural medicine she enjoys running, bushwalking and indulging in good food and wine with friends and family. |
 | Yajat DuaBedside Methylene Blue Nephrostogram - A Step-by-Step GuideYajat is a final-year medical student originally from Bendigo, currently undertaking his placement at the Central Clinical School. He has a keen interest in surgery and clinical research thanks to supportive mentors and exposure to a variety of research projects in medical school. He looks forward to continuing doing research as a junior doctor with a key focus on innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes in rural regions. Outside of medicine, Yajat enjoys going to the gym, exploring coffee culture and cooking. |
| Dr Jasmine ElliottMultidisciplinary Management of a Complex Psychiatric Presentation in a Karen Refugee: A Case ReportI grew up in the rural Northern Territory and Queensland before pursuing medicine as a member of the Extended Rural Cohort due to my motivation to fill the gaps I grew up facing in rural Australia in accessing healthcare. I completed a majority of my clinical placement in Bendigo, Victoria, where I have since interned and commenced training as a Psychiatry Registrar. |
 | Dr Jeremy FlanaganA proposed medical assistant officer role in general surgeryJeremy is a medical intern at Bendigo Health, after completing BSc (Hons) at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and MD at the University of Melbourne |
Caroline GraceFactors Influencing General Practitioners Billing Decisions in NW TasmaniaCaroline is a fifth-year medical student based at the Rural Clinical School, College of Health and Medicine at the University of Tasmania. As a young future medical professional, who possesses a desire to improve the health of rural Australians, she has a strong interest in the accessibility of health care in rural Australia. Relocating from Sydney to Tasmania allowed her to observe and experience health inequities between urban/rural areas. Witnessing this early in her medical career, Caroline wants to reduce rural health inaccessibility by practicing medicine rurally. | |
 | Dr Charmaine Han-MenzPeriorbital cellulitis as the initial presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemiaCharmaine Han-Menz is a second-year resident in the extended rural stream of the Paediatrics & Child Health basic training program. At Monash University, she completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (2018) and a Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Medical Science (2021) where she was awarded a Vice Chancellor's Scholarship of Excellence. Charmaine has an extensive volunteering history including involvement in programs assisting single parent families, at-risk youth with DHHS involvement, low SES families, indigenous leadership programs, hospital patients and their families, soup vans, and homeless youth. Currently based in Gippsland, Charmaine is early in her medical career and endeavours to assist disadvantaged populations through her medical skills and research. |
 | Eric HeOesophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) presenting as ulcerated reflux oesophagitisEric He is a final year medical student from Monash university who has spent 18 months of clinical placement in Traralgon. He is extremely passionate about surgery and pursing a future career in surgery. He is the current Vice President of the Australasian Students Surgical Association (ASSA) which is the largest australia and new zealand studernt surgical body representing all 26 medical schools and 26,000+ students. He is passionate about rural health and in making a difference in the future. He is an avid sports fan, enjoys world travelling and spending time with friends and family. |
 | Dr David HennesNovel hydrogels for the treatment of birth injury: could there be a preventative treatment for pelvic organ prolapse?Biomechanical and immunobiological properties of human fascia lata (HFL) versus mesh: implications for pelvic reconstructive surgery David is an unaccredited urology registrar currently working at Bendigo Health in regional Victoria, who is completing his PhD at Monash University's Translational Tissue Engineering Laboratory, located at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research. His doctoral thesis focuses on the generation and investigation of bioengineered and autologous fascial implants as alternative surgical constructs for applications in female urology and pelvic reconstructive surgery. |
 | Hasna KaziComprehensiveness of prose CT reports for staging of pancreatic cancerHasna is a current 4th year Monash medical student placed in Gippsland (Sale and Traralgon) this year. She has an interest in optimising existing medical processes, and is keen to explore the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This research was created in the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine. |
 | Shuobing KuangReal-world analysis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving first line single-agent pembrolizumab immunotherapy in GippslandShuobing Kuang is an enthusiastic third year medical student currently studying at Monash University, and undergoing placements at Latrobe Regional Health. She is excited to be participating in the 2024 DRIVERS Conference, as she fosters her interests in research and innovation with her first research project alongside her supervisor Dr Evangeline Samuel. Shuobing has enjoyed the learning process, and can not wait to engage herself in future research opportunities. She aims to continuously build her skills and her passion for uncovering outcomes that can contribute to furthering our understanding and improving patient care; particularly adapting to a rural context. |
 | Dr Madeleine LeungAll the things I wish I'd said- responses to those who questioned my decision to train rurallyDr Madeleine Leung is a newly fellowed rural psychiatrist who has completed all her training in the Mildura Base Public Hospital, including advanced training in consultation-liaison psychiatry. She is passionate about creating excellent training pathways in the country and showcasing all the wonderful opportunities that regional training has to offer. She believes that now is the most exciting time to be a part of flipping the narrative and shining the spotlight on rural medicine. |
Lawrence LinRemote Diagnosis and Management of Skin Cancer: A Systematic ReviewLawrence is a 5th year medical student currently undertaking his Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) in 2024. He is an avid researcher with interests in medical education, dermatology and plastics. From various volunteering roles in AMSA and beyond, he has been exposed to a wide variety of settings where medicine can be practised with maximum equitable benefit. He has intent to train and practise medicine rurally - and was fortunate enough to be accepted as a John Flynn Placement Program Scholar in 2020, but still rues the unfortunate closure of the program. He enjoys playing racquet sports, especially tennis and squash. | |
 | Anusha MaheshwariAnal squamous cell carcinoma in the setting of psoriasis: case report and literature reviewAnusha Maheshwari is a final year medical student interested in research alongside clinical practice. She is a rural-origin student who has completed a wide range of regional placements across Victoria. She is passionate about promoting education, gender-equity and bridging gaps between regional and metropolitan Australia. In her free time she enjoys exploring different forms of exercise, reading fantasy novels and cooking. |
Georgia McLeanEvaluating the use and potential for health promotion in cancer supportive care in GippslandGeorgia McLean is a third year undergraduate student of the Monash medicine course from a regional town of Moama, New South Wales. She is currently undergoing a rural placement year at Latrobe Regional Health and is eager to experience more medical specialties within a rural setting. Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing netball and exploring the natural beauty of the Gippsland region. | |
 | Dr Sonia MinooeePush and Pull Factors for Junior Doctors Training and Working in North QLD Regional, Rural and Remote Areas Research Opportunities and Engagement Among Pre-vocational Doctors in Regional Hospitals |
 | Audrey NakagawaAudrey is a third-year medical student at Monash University, presently undertaking her clinical placement at Latrobe Regional Hospital in Traralgon. This experience provides her with invaluable first-hand exposure to rural healthcare. Having grown up in the regional town of Albury, Audrey has developed a deep interest in rural medicine and aspires to build a career dedicated to serving rural communities. |
 | Dr Thomas NeerhutSurgery during the pandemic: A regional and rural perspective from a public hospital in South West VictoriaTom is a current unaccredited surgical registrar. Tom spent his junior residency years working in Queensland including far North Queensland and regional areas. He has also worked in the regional hub of Geelong in Victoria and has a keen interest in the provision of healthcare to the greater Southwestern Victorian population. |
 | Dr Sandesh PanthaStakeholders' perceptions of how nurse-doctor communication impacts patient care: A concept mapping studyParticipation in Monash rural health conference will give an opportunity to learn real life experiences from colleagues working in the rural areas of Australia. |
 | Dr Jessica PaynterA qualitative review of the impact of human capacity and infrastructure upon rural general surgery within Australia A Case Report: Mesenteric fibromatosis as a cause of chronic RIF pain Outcomes of cystectomy patients admitted to intensive care by hospital type: a national cohort study Dr Jessica Paynter is currently an unaccredited surgical registrar and aspiring rural surgeon. She grew up in the Loddon Mallee region and is committed to rural and regional medicine. Jess studied medicine as part of the Monash University Extended Rural Cohort, completing all her clinical placements in Mildura, Swan Hill and Bendigo. She is committed to improving the health and health literacy of people from the bush. Jess is an avid runner and triathlete and has a love for gardening. |
Sharadhi RatnakarA Picture Perfect Plan: Empowering caregivers with Pictorial Asthma Action Plans for optimization of paediatric asthma control in regional VictoriaSharadhi is a final year Canadian medical student at Deakin University in Warrnambool, Victoria. Owing to a short attention span, her research interests have ranged from primate behaviour to tumour suppression in glioblastoma, to equity and accessibility of healthcare. Outside the hospital, she is an enthusiastic but poorly coordinated snowboarder, runner, and lover of the outdoors. | |
 | Irene RoyAccess To Healthcare For People With A History of Injecting Drugs Living In Rural Areas: A Mixed Methods StudyIrene Roy is a final year medical student at Monash University. She is currently doing a placement up in sunny Mildura, getting involved in the wild and wonderful world of rural medicine. She took a break from clinical work to do an Honours, and proudly present the following research. This project was pivotal in her development as a researcher and more broadly, as a doctor. It shaped her interest in pursuing Addiction Medicine alongside Rural Generalism as well as altered her views and approach to priority populations in our healthcare systems. |
 | Dr Madeleine TsePalliative open cystogastrostomy for giant pancreatic pseudocyst in pancreatic malignancy – a rural experienceMadeleine Tse is a PGY3 unaccredited registrar working at Mildura Base Public Hospital and is an aspiring general surgeon with a keen interest in acute trauma. She enjoys the wide variety of patient presentations and surgeries that rural centres encounter and intends to undertake further rural placements with a view to work regionally after completing training. Madeleine is also passionate about surgical education and research, currently coordinating research and presentation opportunities for medical students and other junior doctors at MBPH. |
 | Karan VarshneyImpacts on Health and Social Care Providers After Natural Hazard Events in Rural Settings: A Systematic ReviewKaran Varshney is a medical student at Deakin University, with a Master of Public Health. He is a research officer with Monash University, and section editor with BMC Archives of Public Health. Karan has multiple interests in the sphere of public health research relating to racism, medical education, social determinants of communicable disease, violence, and Bharat. He is especially interested in combining his clinical knowledge with his public health background to address and reduce unjust health inequalities both locally and across the globe. Specifically addressing rural health inequities is one of Karan’s passions. |
 | Dr Rochelle VazNipple areolar complex (NAC) tattooing – a literature review of the final ‘cherry on top’ procedure in patients post oncological breast reconstructionRochelle is a Monash University Malaysia alumna, who has been working as a Surgical Resident (PGY3) at Bendigo Health, ever since completing her Internship here in 2022. Being a ‘third culture kid’ with exposure to an assortment of nationalities, she truly sees the world as her oyster, and has lived in culturally diverse countries such as India, Oman, Malaysia and now Australia. She has a keen interest in Plastic surgery, Orthopaedics and General surgery, which was kindled amidst the COVID-19 pandemic during surgical apprenticeships in Oman. Her passion for surgery has continued to burn bright thanks to the amazing surgical registrars and consultants she has had the privilege to work alongside at Bendigo Health. With training experience in underdeveloped, developing and developed countries under her belt, she fosters a vision to, one day, carve her own niche as a future female surgeon. |
 | Eugene WangDescriptive Audit of a Rural Type 1 Diabetes Outpatient ClinicEugene is a final-year medical student at Monash University, undertaking a full year of rural clinical placements in 2024, at Bendigo Health and Central Gippsland Health Service. Eugene is interested in pursuing surgery and hopes to specialise in urology. He is passionate about medical research, having published peer-reviewed journal articles and conducted quality improvement projects in oncology and paediatrics. He hopes that these quality assurance studies can promote excellence in patient-centred care in rural health services. Through his previous research projects, Eugene has also acquired skills in statistical analysis and programming. |
 | Annabel WrightAre we prepared to provide inclusive healthcare to trangender patients: exploring medical student perspectives from a regional Australian universityAnnabel Wright is a final year medical student from James Cook University in North Queensland. Throughout the progression of her degree she has had the opportunity to immerse herself in the rural towns in Tropical North Queensland. Her rural placements sparked a passion for rural medicine and addressing the inequalities of healthcare access that are compounded by geographical isolation and specifically, the lack of services available to the LGBTQIA+ community . Annabel felt the absence of transgender health education in her medical training which impacted her placement and led to a desire to research this phenomenon. |
 | Dr Jess WynnChatGPT: A new medical opinion right in the pocket of our patients? Working regionally can protect against burnout: A survey of Australian and New Zealand urologists Penoscrotal decompression for ischaemic priapism: A procedure for all regional surgeons |
 | Dr Alexandra YeohExploring the ideas of young healthcare professionals (HCPs) from selected countries regarding rural proofing A case of cryptococcal meningitis & anti-nmdar encephalitis in a patient with myelofibrosis in rural Victoria Alexandra is an intern at Bairnsdale Hospital. Over the past few years, she has cemented her passion for research, as first-author of a journal article, titled “Impact of Clinical Placements on General Practice as a Career Preference for Australian Medical Students.” She has presented this research at the AAAPC Conference in 2020 and the RACGP Conference in 2021. She has also published numerous articles, pertaining to rural, remote and Indigenous medicine, including "A pilot study to assess the impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural humility webinars on Australian medical school students" in the BMC Med Ed Journal. She looks forward to fostering her passion for research, perhaps undertaking a PhD in the future. |
 | Jack ZhouReferral Patterns of Primary Care Patients to a Regional Cancer Centre: A Retrospective Descriptive StudyJack is a 3rd Year Medical Student at Monash University currently placed at Warragul Hospital for his rotations. During his studies, reading research papers piqued his own interest and desire to learn and discover. Currently, Jack is a member of both WILDFIRE, Monash University's rural health club, and the Young Australian Cancer Initiative. Outside of Medicine, Jack enjoys playing basketball, hitting the gym, reading and trying out new recipes. |