Dr Derk Pol

Dr Derk Pol is the Director of Cardiology at Latrobe Regional Health and Co-Founder of Gippsland Cardiology Service, the largest cardiology practice in the region, having cared for over 4,500 patients to date. A graduate of Melbourne University and Monash University (Churchill), Dr Pol completed advanced training in cardiology at Royal Melbourne Hospital, MonashHeart, and Ballarat Base Hospital, followed by a two-year fellowship in interventional cardiology at MonashHeart. His clinical interests include general cardiology, acute coronary syndrome, and expanding access to cardiac services for Gippsland communities. Dr Pol holds public appointments at Latrobe Regional Hospital, The Alfred, and The Victorian Heart Hospital, and consults at Maryvale Private and West Gippsland Hospitals. He has published in both national and international journals and regularly presents at cardiology conferences. Outside of medicine, he enjoys running, cycling, and tinkering with motors—proudly calling himself a “car”diologist.

Keynote topic

Leading Cardiac Care Locally: Dr Derk Pol’s Vision for Gippsland’s Patients

Dr Simon Judkins

Dr Simon Judkins (MBBS, FACEM) has been the Director of Emergency Medicine at
Echuca Regional Health since 2020. He previously spent more than 20 years as an
emergency physician with Austin Health, including roles as Chair of the Senior Medical Staff Association, lead of the Choosing Wisely Program and ED Director at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Past President of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM), he is Chair of ACEM’s Sustainable Emergency Medicine and Climate and Health Advocacy Network and an executive member of the Advancing Women in Emergency Medicine Committee. Simon has been an AMAV Board Member since 2021 and was Vice President from June 2023-2025.

Simon is a strong advocate for health equity and system reform, social justice, regional and rural health, mental

health and sustainability in healthcare.

Keynote topic

Associate Professor Bruce Waxman OAM

Associate Professor Bruce Waxman OAM is a distinguished colorectal surgeon, educator, and medical leader whose career spans over five decades. An honours graduate of Monash University, he held senior surgical and academic roles at Monash Health, The University of Melbourne, and Monash University, contributing to over 100 publications and surgical textbooks. He has served in executive positions with CSSANZ and international surgical societies, and was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 2015. Associate Professor Waxman’s service includes deployments with the RAAF Specialist Reserves, tsunami relief in Banda Aceh, and 22 years with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He received the Order of Australia Medal in 2014 for his contributions to medicine and education. Now retired from clinical practice, Bruce remains active in mentoring, volunteer work, and heritage preservation. He is passionate about aviation, WWII history, rowing, and wildflower farming in Gippsland. He enjoys spending his retirement with his wife, five children and eight grandchildren.

Keynote topic

Remembering Flying Officer John Clifford (Cliff) Peel ( 1894 -1918) rural medical student come aviator whose vision , insight and legacy is the Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service ( RFDS) that we have today