Avant Mutual Board Director Election 2026

MBBS, FRACGP, MHPol | NSW

I'm a general practitioner with forty years in medicine. I have a long relationship with Avant (and its previous iterations). As a member last century, I contributed through a levy that helped this organisation through serious financial difficulty. Most members today won't know that history. I do, and it's part of why I'm standing now.

My career has taken me from Royal Flying Doctor Service outposts to a clinic for men experiencing homelessness in inner Sydney, alongside two decades in medical education at University of Sydney and University of Melbourne. I have current roles that speak to my experience in governance, including Director of a Local Health District, Chair of its Safety and Quality Committee, and membership of two human research ethics committees.

I don't come to this election as an insurance specialist. I don't pretend otherwise. What I bring is four decades of sitting with the daily tension between legal risk and good clinical care – a tension every one of you carries too, and one that is likely to intensify as AI enters clinical practice, as healthcare corporatises, and as the custodianship of patient data becomes harder to guarantee. Avant exists because doctors decided, together, that no one else would adequately protect them. I think there is a real place for Avant to be grounded in the daily reality of clinical work, not just its legal exposure.

I bring genuine governance experience, a low tolerance for jargon and over-claiming, an expectation of rigour, and a habit of asking questions others quietly avoid. I'd be glad to bring that to Avant's board on your behalf.

MBChB, FRACP, FCICM, Post Grad Health Econ, MD | TAS

I have a long-term commitment to represent the medical profession in times of need whilst providing justice to those patients that are harmed. I have suffered significant harm (twice!) from medical adverse events ("Doctor in the House," Australian Story, ABC, 2009) and so understand the impact of these types of events on patients. Equally, over my 43 years of practice and with the great assistance of Avant I have had to defend myself (3rd party) in a medico legal matter and a separate workplace matter, giving me a personal understanding of the impact these actions have on doctors. In between these matters I have undertaken several medical expert reports and a Court appearance.

I have a wide breadth of experience with over 40 years of clinical experience in both General and Intensive Care Medicine (both adult and paediatric) in four states in both public and private settings ranging from Tertiary Academic Hospitals to outreach Physician Clinics to First Nations communities in the Bass Strait Islands. My Academic achievements include over 100 publications (\ 10,000 citations) in the areas of Patient Safety, Law and Medicine and Medical Education. I have been the Founder and Director of a medical software company that went from start up to ASX listing over a 15-year period. I have in depth understanding of the Australian Health Care system having had Academic Professorial and Clinical Director positions in three States over the last 30 years as well as having a Health Economics qualification.

In summary I am uniquely qualified to serve as a Director of Avant Mutual.

MBBS, Dip Obst RCOG, FRACGP, MHL, GAICD | NSW

I seek your support for re-election to the Avant Board, where I have proudly served as an elected Director for the past four years.

My connection with Avant spans my entire medical career, including seven years on the NSW Medical Experts Committee, seven years as a Senior Medical Adviser, seven years as Chief Medical Officer, and my current Board role. This breadth of experience has given me a deep understanding of our members, our business, and the evolving challenges facing the profession, including artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, the viability of private practice, and workforce shortages.

As a Director, I bring strong governance skills while keeping members' interests at the centre of every decision. My recent Board review recognised my deep clinical expertise and thorough understanding of Avant's operational and commercial dimensions, highlighting my informed oversight, incisive questioning, and commitment to championing member interests.

I am a GP with a lifelong passion for medical education. I have mentored hundreds of doctors and established Avant's registrar program to help develop future medical leaders. As inaugural Chair of the Avant Foundation Board, and now a member of its committee, I have been proud to support initiatives that advance quality, safety and professionalism in healthcare. I believe this work reflects one of Avant's greatest strengths – it’s its commitment not only to protecting doctors but also to improving the quality and safety of healthcare for the communities we serve.

Avant's strong financial position, built through disciplined management, sound investment and thoughtful diversification, provides the resilience needed to protect and support doctors for generations to come. I am proud that Avant is the trusted professional partner of more than half of Australia's doctors. I would be honoured to continue bringing my experience in medical indemnity, health law, clinical practice and governance to ensure members remain at the heart of everything Avant does.

MBBS, LLB, MBA, MMktg, GDLP, PhD, DMedSc, AFRACMA, FAICD, FACLM, FACD | VIC

I am seeking election to the Avant Mutual Board because a doctor's indemnity is only as strong as their insurance provider and that provider is only as strong as its governance.

I believe a member-owned medical indemnity organisation must combine commercial strength and disciplined governance with a genuine understanding of the professional environment in which doctors work.

I have education and expertise in clinical practice, law, clinical and corporate governance, research and executive experience. I am an experienced board director and previously served on the board of directors of MDA National. My work has consistently focused on patient safety, clinical governance, medicolegal risk and evidence-based improvement.

If elected, I would bring an independent, well-prepared and member-focused perspective to the Board. I would work to strengthen Avant's governance, financial sustainability and responsiveness to members, while helping the organisation anticipate emerging challenges in healthcare regulation, workforce pressures, digital practice and artificial intelligence. Above all, I would seek to ensure that Avant remains trusted, relevant and strongly positioned to support doctors throughout their professional lives.

MD, MMed, BMed, GAICD, AGIA | NSW

I'm standing for election because I believe strong governance is essential to a strong medical profession.

As a practising paediatric doctor, I see every day the trust that patients place in doctors. Equally important is the trust that doctors place in the organisations that support them throughout their careers. Avant has earned that trust by standing beside doctors through the opportunities and challenges of professional practice. I'd be honoured to contribute to its future as a member of the Board.

My career combines frontline clinical practice with medical regulation, board governance, academic leadership and health policy. I continue to practise as a paediatric registrar while serving as a practitioner member of the Medical Board of Australia and as a non-executive director of organisations across healthcare, disability, aged care and medical research. These roles have given me experience in strategy, risk oversight, clinical governance and organisational stewardship while ensuring my governance decisions remain grounded in the realities of patient care.

If elected, I'll bring an independent and thoughtful approach to Board decision-making. I'll contribute to strong governance, prudent stewardship and decisions that serve the long-term interests of members. I also hope to bring the perspective of a practising clinician who understands the changing environment in which doctors work and the importance of supporting members throughout every stage of their professional lives.

Avant is more than an insurer. It's one of the institutions that helps sustain Australia's medical profession. I'd welcome the opportunity to help ensure it remains a trusted, financially strong and member focused mutual for generations to come.

BSc, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRACP, FCCP, FRCPI, FRSM | VIC

As an Avant Member, I ask you to take time to read this short paragraph and vote for my membership on the Avant Board to work for you. The Avant Mutual Group is at an important time in its 133-year history. It faces new challenges, emerging opportunities and potential solutions that will benefit you, a member and an owner.

We have seen the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid introduction of telemedicine, considerable changes in the value of MBS and service funding, as well as an impending major shift in medical workforce activity because of AI. It's powerful advance will have an impact on how we train, work and make life decisions. Whether you are a medical student, busy practitioner or a retiring senior clinician, these changes will affect you. Avant must be there to protect you from harmful risk. Let's turn the risks into opportunities.

My training and experience as a scientist in IT, a pioneer of telemedicine in Australia and overseas, as President of the RACP and as an active clinician will be brought to serve you as an Avant Member, should I have your support to join the Board. In essence, Avant is a leader in medical insurance, that not only is the largest player in the field, but also a leader in health policy generation. It should grow further as an educator and supporter of excellence in clinical practice, mobilising assets to support you, the Member. It is influential in the quality-of-care arena and has supported individual clinicians to improve the care they proudly deliver. This needs to evolve in the short term, assisting concerned Members as the regulatory framework and risk matrix becomes more complex. Your support to now progress this agenda would be of benefit to all of us and our patients. Thank you.

MBBS, FRANZCOG | QLD

I am a Brisbane-based specialist gynaecologist, with previous experience in obstetrics, and have been a member of the medical profession for 35 years. I have extensive clinical experience and deep health industry knowledge across both the public and private sectors, giving me a broad and practical understanding of the Australian healthcare system, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by doctors throughout their careers.

Alongside my clinical career, I have almost 25 years’ experience as a medical company director, and small business owner. I am also a longstanding Avant member and have a strong understanding of the value Avant provides to doctors.

I am currently a Board Director of the Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society, providing contemporary governance experience and insight into the strategic oversight of a professional medical organisation. I have also served on hospital clinical committees through my longstanding associations with various private hospitals. These roles have strengthened my understanding of governance, accountability, strategic oversight and the importance of constructive collaboration at Board level. My knowledge and understanding of good governance and fiscal responsibility has been helped and strengthened through completing the Australian Institute of Company Directors certificate.

As a female medical specialist from a culturally diverse background, I would bring an important perspective to the Board. My experiences have reinforced the importance of equity, fairness, inclusion and ensuring diverse voices are heard and valued. I believe this is particularly relevant to an organisation representing Australia's diverse medical profession.

I am passionate about high-quality, safe healthcare and medical education. I seek to contribute my clinical, healthcare, governance and business expertise to Avant's purpose of supporting doctors and safe, high-quality healthcare. I would bring deep industry knowledge, diverse perspectives, and a strong commitment to Avant's members and contribute to the strategic direction and continued success of the organisation.

MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, MSc (Med Ed), AFHEA | ACT

Avant’s Board needs directors who understand the challenges facing doctors in an evolving clinical landscape, increasing regulatory scrutiny, and rapid technological change, and can continue to protect, support and deliver outstanding value to its members.

Avant has called for female/CALD membership on the board. Avant’s Board is strengthened by broad experience, independent judgement and perspectives that reflect the doctors it serves.

That's what I bring:

• Over 25 years of experience in clinical practice
• The perspective of a female doctor, international medical graduate, and member of a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community
• An independent, member-focused voice with a strong understanding of the needs of trainees and doctors across all career stages
• Board level experience in medical education, governance, regulation, and workforce development
• Demonstrated leadership of strategic and cultural change across healthcare, academic, and regulatory settings
• National expertise in professional standards, assessment, quality assurance, and evidence-informed decision-making
• Proven ability to build and lead new initiatives, including as the inaugural Head of Professional Practice at the Australian National University
• An Avant member for almost 15 years
• Enrolled in the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (completion expected December 2026)

I seek your vote to bring frontline clinical experience, educational leadership, and national regulatory expertise to the Board.

As a practising GP, my experience spans advocacy, leadership, and governance roles, including RACGP ACT Faculty Representative, Head of Professional Practice, at the Australian National University, and Head of Training for RACGP GP Training across the ACT and Murrumbidgee.

My national roles include Ministerially appointed member of the Professional Services Review, working with Medical Board of Australia, Australian Medical Council, PESCI assessments, and RACGP Clinical Exam Quality Assurance.

Avant is owned by its members. Your vote shapes who represent you on Avant’s Board.

I would be honoured to serve and respectfully ask for your vote.

MBBS, BSc, FRANZCOG, DDU, COGU, MPH, GAICD | NSW

As a practising obstetrician, gynaecologist and ultrasound subspecialist, I have spent my career advancing the standards, safety and education that underpin good medical practice. I am standing for the Avant Board because our mutual is strongest when members' interests sit at the centre of every decision.

I bring over fifteen years of clinical leadership as Head of a tertiary Maternal–Fetal Medicine department and Medical Director of a women's ultrasound service, across public and private settings. I understand the pressures members face: medico-legal risk, regulatory change, workforce shortages, the rising cost of practice, growing patient expectations and health misinformation.

I also bring substantial governance experience including past President and Board member of the Australian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine, and as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. I have served on a member-representative board, shaped strategy, tested management and worked within risk and assurance frameworks. Through national roles with RANZCOG, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Commonwealth Department of Health, I have represented the profession to government and regulators.

If elected, I will:

• champion member advocacy and a mutual that reflects its membership, at every stage in their career;
• support Avant's financial strength so it can continue to defend and support doctors for the long term;
• uphold sound governance, accountability and clinical safety;
• protect public trust, supporting members to respond with confidence to misinformation and rising patient expectations, and guiding the responsible use of AI.

I would be honoured to represent you, and I ask for your vote.

MBBS, FRACGP, CA, BCom, Bec, Clin Dip Pall Med | WA

My career has been built on service, accountability and a commitment to acting in the best interests of those who place their trust in us. These principles have guided every stage of my professional career and are the values I would bring to the Board of Avant if elected.

I commenced my medical studies in Perth at the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2009, graduating in 2012. I began my internship at Royal Perth Hospital in 2013, commencing what has now been more than a decade caring for patients within the Western Australian health system. Over the following years I worked across a range of hospitals and medical specialties, giving me an understanding of the challenges faced by doctors at different career stages and across diverse clinical settings. These experiences reinforced the importance of professionalism, patient safety, collegiality and systems that enable high-quality care.

I later transitioned to general practice and am now a vocationally registered General Practitioner. Working closely with patients, families and multidisciplinary teams has strengthened my appreciation of advocacy, communication, risk management and balancing competing priorities while maintaining patient-centred care.

Prior to medicine, I worked in external audit, predominantly with Ernst & Young, before becoming a Chartered Accountant. This background provided a strong foundation in governance, financial literacy, risk identification, internal controls and organisational accountability. It also instilled an evidence-based approach to decision-making and an appreciation that effective boards ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions constructively and maintain strategic oversight.

I believe that combining the perspective of a practising clinician with the governance, financial and risk management experience gained through my chartered accounting background would enable me to make a meaningful contribution, helping ensure Avant remains a strong, trusted and member-focused organisation that continues to support, protect and advocate for the doctors it serves.