Early Career Doctor Advisory Council

Dr. Natasha Abeysekera is a Basic Physician Trainee with a strong interest in dermatology. Committed to clinical excellence, she is equally passionate about advocacy for both her patients and colleagues, with a particular interest in systems-level improvement and medical policy. Her interests span sustainability, digital health and technology, education, public health, research, immunology, and dermatology — reflecting a deep commitment to innovation and long-term healthcare reform.

Natasha brings a unique blend of frontline clinical experience and policy insight through her work with leading medical organisations, including the Australian Medical Association and the Queensland Medical Women’s Society. Skilled in advocacy, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement, she has experience translating complex medico-political issues into practical, actionable solutions.

As a member of ECDAC, Natasha aims to contribute a collaborative and forward-thinking perspective. She is particularly committed to empowering early career doctors through clearer guidance, stronger education frameworks, and systems that promote safe and sustainable medical practice. Natasha is especially passionate about enhancing medico-legal literacy and supporting wellbeing within the medical workforce.

Dr. Alexander Ashenden is currently at the PGY 3 stage of his medical career, serving as a GPT1 Registrar. He has a clear set of professional ambitions, including completing GPT1 and GPT2 at a civilian practice, continuing his GP training while serving in the Royal Australian Navy, and maintaining his ongoing work with Avant.

Additionally, Alexander is passionate about developing a medtech startup, completing the AICD course, and eventually opening a veteran clinic that focuses on holistic care. He also aims to complete a Masters of Lifestyle Medicine at James Cook University.

As a member of the ECDAC, Alexander is dedicated to providing feedback on issues facing early career doctors, particularly those in Western Australia. He seeks to expand his responsibilities by collaborating with the chair on areas within Avant that would benefit early career doctors.

Outside of his professional life, Alexander has a range of interests and passions. He values family time and is deeply committed to veteran care. He is also interested in agentic AI, practice ownership, startups and entrepreneurship. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing golf.

Dr. Reece Adler is a PGY7 emergency advanced trainee with a dedication to becoming an excellent emergency doctor. He is passionate about educating and assisting his colleagues through challenging experiences and processes, and contributing to a collegiate and supportive workplace environment.

As a member of the ECDAC, Reece aims to faithfully relay the perspectives of doctors in training to Avant, benefiting both parties. He believes that Avant and junior doctors are crucial to each other. By better understanding the doctors’ needs Avant can offer better value to junior doctors and throughout their careers. Reece notes that many junior doctors are unaware of Avant's value, particularly its scale, dominance as an MDO, and the broader value proposition of the Avant mutual group.

In his personal life, Reece enjoys cycling and is learning how to be a dad.

Dr. Charlotte Blake is pursuing a career in surgery, with a particular interest in rural surgical practice. She has complemented her clinical training with a tertiary Certificate in Environmental Sustainability, a Graduate Certificate in Child Health, and is currently completing a Master of Surgery.

Charlotte is passionate about addressing the growing burnout crisis in medicine. With junior doctors facing increasing workloads, reduced flexibility and constant digital connection to work, she aims to advocate for practical, sustainable solutions that support early‑career doctors to balance meaningful clinical work with fulfilling personal lives.

Charlotte is committed to medical outreach and ensuring that high‑quality care is accessible to all. She is particularly interested in delivering sustainable surgical care in remote settings, with a strong focus on culturally safe practice and clear, respectful communication.

Dr. James Kemper is a level 3 obstetrics and gynaecology registrar with aspirations to become a generalist obstetrician and gynaecologist. He aims to balance public and private practice while focusing on teaching junior medical staff and medical students. James has a particular interest in laparoscopic and robotic gynaecology alongside his obstetric practice.

As a member of the ECDAC, James seeks to improve communication among junior medical staff across specialties and locations, enhance their influence on Avant's direction, priorities and feedback, and ensure junior medical staff recognise the value of being Avant members.

In his personal life, James enjoys hiking and spending time in nature, taking walks with his German Shepherd and gardening.

Dr. Maryaan Kas is a dedicated PGY3 doctor currently working as a locum with plans to start general practitioner (GP) training next year. With a focus on women and children’s health, Maryaan aims to build long-term relationships with her patients, addressing not just symptoms, but the physical, mental and spiritual factors that shape overall wellbeing.

Maryaan's professional ambitions include delivering holistic care that empowers families through knowledge and supports healthier lifestyle choices. She is committed to advocating for better working conditions for doctors through roles such as the Early Career Doctor Advisory Council (ECDAC) and hopes to continue in medical education through teaching and mentorship.

As a member of the ECDAC, Maryaan is passionate about promoting a healthcare system that supports early career doctors in their clinical development and personal wellbeing. She aims to help shape policies that foster wellbeing, reduce burnout and support early career doctors in building rewarding and balanced medical careers.

Outside of her professional life, Maryaan enjoys reading and writing, staying active through kickboxing, weightlifting and tennis, and travelling to experience new cultures. She is also committed to teaching and mentorship, sharing her knowledge to help others grow and succeed.

Dr. Kuljyot Lall is pursuing a career as a rural generalist with advanced skills in Emergency Medicine (ED/ACEM). His training path reflects a strong commitment to delivering high‑quality care in regional and remote communities.

Kuljyot brings insights from his medical school journey and transition into internship as a rural generalist candidate. Through ECDAC, he hopes to share his experiences, learn from fellow early‑career doctors across Australia, and collaborate with respected clinicians. His goal is to strengthen peer support, improve pathways for junior doctors, and contribute meaningfully to discussions shaping early career training and wellbeing.

Dr. Yael Lefkovits is a medical oncology advanced trainee who aims to combine clinical oncology with research, public health, and policy. Yael is particularly interested in using data and precision medicine to improve cancer outcomes while addressing broader systemic issues in healthcare. Long-term, she hopes to contribute to both individual patient care and meaningful, large-scale change.

As a member of the Early Career Doctor Advisory Council, Yael wants to help create better support for early-career doctors exploring various pathways, including research, public health, education, and clinical leadership. She is especially interested in making non-traditional career journeys more visible and supported, helping doctors feel confident navigating the uncertainties of the early stages of their careers.

Currently, Yael is undertaking a Master's in Precision Cancer Medicine through the University of Oxford. She is passionate about improving the quality and effectiveness of oncology care as the field moves towards a more personalised, immunotherapeutic-based approach to treatment. In her spare time, she works as a freelance health journalist and enjoys spending time with her husband and child.

Dr. Thomas O’Donnell is pursuing a career in Orthopaedic Surgery, driven by a strong interest in musculoskeletal care and the complex, hands on nature of surgical practice.

As an ECDAC member, Thomas aims to support unaccredited registrars across Australia by helping to demystify the expectations, pressures and “unknowns” associated with surgical training. He hopes to contribute insights that make the training landscape clearer and more navigable for junior doctors considering or preparing for a surgical career.

Thomas’ interests include the footy, farming, family, fractures and philanthropy.

Dr. Angelica Ronquillo is a basic paediatric registrar in Queensland, having recently completed the RACP Clinical Examination. Since graduating with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Queensland in 2018, she has trained across the Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, and Southeast Queensland regions. She currently holds dual roles as a medical education registrar at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and an academic registrar at the University of Queensland/RBWH Clinical School.

Angelica aims to complete her training in general paediatrics, with a special interest in developmental paediatrics. She aspires to balance clinical practice with ongoing involvement in medical education. Angelica is committed to developing as a leader and advocate within the medical field, with the aim of building strong foundations for future opportunities in medical administration.

As an ECDAC member, Angelica hopes to represent pre-vocational junior doctors and paediatric trainees, aiding their transition from training to specialist practice. She is passionate about advocating for financial literacy, combating burnout and supporting practical solutions for international medical students and doctors.

Outside medicine, Angelica enjoys hiking, building LEGO structures, musical theatre and spoken word poetry. These creative activities bring balance to her life and fuel her passion for storytelling, innovation and connection—values she integrates into her professional life.

Dr. John Ward is a PGY6 emergency registrar currently in ACEM Training Stage 3. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biomedical Science from the University of Queensland (UQ). He has a Graduate Certificate in Business Leadership (Medical Leadership) from UQ, completed the End-of-Life Law for Clinicians course at QUT, and is pursuing a Diploma in Football Medicine from FIFA.

John's professional ambitions include completing his ACEM training by 2028, undertaking a Motorsport Medicine Fellowship at Indiana University around 2029-2030, and developing a special interest in ultrasound and pre-hospital medicine. He plans to take a locum gap year in 2026 to complete a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments at the University of Tasmania, and gain experience in healthcare across regional and remote areas of Australia and New Zealand.

As a member of the ECDAC, John aims to build on the council’s excellent work, improve access to free medico-legal information for the medical community, and advocate for trainees' rights at both state and national levels, focusing on issues such as pay disputes and workplace rights. He also looks forward to networking with like-minded trainees and Avant members from diverse backgrounds.

John's interests and passions include motorsport, particularly Formula 1 and the Supercars Championship, coffee brewing methods like home espresso, V60 and Aeropress, the role of AI in medicine, and pre-hospital and adventure/expedition medicine.

Dr. Tali Feiglin is a GP registrar (PGY8) currently working part-time clinically and part-time as an academic GP registrar. In her academic role, she facilitates medical student education and researches GPs’ attitudes towards cervical screening self-collection. Additionally, Tali is a board observer through The Observership Program for a not-for-profit aged care provider in Sydney.

Tali's professional ambitions include providing excellent primary care with a particular focus on women’s health and preventative health, improving the health of the wider population through non-clinical roles, and enhancing doctors’ wellbeing.

As a member of the ECDAC, Tali aims to connect with a diverse group of doctors in training to share knowledge, insights, and skills from their experiences across different regions and specialties. She advocates for the professional needs of junior doctors, including those in training, prevocational doctors, and during the transition to fellowship. Tali also seeks to provide insights that can guide Avant in meeting the needs of colleagues, not only through medical defence, but also through education and other services to improve the experience of being a doctor in training.

Her interests and passions include women’s health, preventative health and exploring non-clinical roles that utilise medical knowledge and skills.