Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF) 2024

Break-off brainstorming sessions at the 2019 ELF in Sydney.

About the forum

The ELF provides an opportunity to support the development of future leaders in the health sector and to nurture relationships with early-career members of our own (and other) invited surgical societies. This premium event is a chance for delegates to be inspired by guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds and network with colleagues and experts from the broader health sector.

Delegates are nominated to attend the ELF based on specified criteria. It is comprised of orthopaedic nominees from every AOA state branch, our trainee association (AORA) and Orthopaedic Women’s Link (OWL), as well as nominees from kindred surgical groups, such as the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association, the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia and the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association.

AOA members interested in being nominated or presenting at a future ELF are encouraged to contact aoa@aoa.org.au

Dates and timings

The ELF is an annual event and rotates around the states/territories. To date, six ELFs have successfully run from 2014 to 2019. With a short hiatus due to the pandemic, the ELF is back for 2024 and annually hereafter.

ELF 2024

Convenors

Ian-Incoll-resized

Dr Ian Incoll
Conjoint Professor,
School of Medicine and Public Health,
University of Newcastle

Adrian-Cosenza

Mr Adrian Cosenza
AOA CEO

Keynote speakers

Senkubuge-F_resized

Prof Flavia Senkubuge

Peter-Choong-resized

Dr Peter Choong

Anne-Garlick-headshot_resized

Ms Anne Garlick

Matt-Hanrahan-resized

Mr Matt Hanrahan

Michael_Johnson_resized

Dr Michael Johnson

Viren-Naik_resized

Prof Viren Naik

Omar_resized

Dr Omar Khorshid

Jason_Frank_resized

Prof Jason Frank

A/Prof Fiona Maclean

Michelle-Sinclair_resized

Ms Michelle Sinclair

Catherine-Green-headshot

A/Prof Catherine Green AO

Jonathon-Newchurch_resized

Dr Jonathan Newchurch

David-Bade_resized

Dr David Bade

Ronnie-Khan-resized

Ms Ronnie Kahn AO

Olivia-Stryker-headshot-resized

Ms Olivia Howden

Scott-Fletcher-resized

Dr Scott Fletcher

Corinne-Archer-resized

Ms Corinne Archer

Keynote speaker bios

Ms Corinne Archer

Corinne Archer is an accomplished leader in technology and innovation, currently serving as the technology executive manager at the Australian Orthopaedic Association where she leads strategic technological initiatives to enhance orthopaedic education, member services, and operational systems. With over 20 years of experience, Corinne has developed a robust expertise in technology strategy, cybersecurity, software development and project management, significantly improving operational excellence and client satisfaction across sectors including government, banking, higher education, and healthcare.

Corinne holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology from the University of Sydney, with additional qualifications in information security and graphic design. Currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Management at UTS, she remains at the forefront of technological advancement, integrating cutting-edge technology with strategic business initiatives.

Mr Timmy Duggan OAM

Timmy Duggan OAM from Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory, is a trailblazer in Australian basketball and a champion for Indigenous youth. He made history in 1996 as the first Northern Territorian to play in the National Basketball League (NBL) with the Gold Coast Rollers, and later the Cairns Taipans.

In 2002, Duggan founded Hoops 4 Health, using basketball to promote healthy lifestyles and empower Indigenous youth. The program has impacted thousands, especially in remote communities, and earned national recognition, including the 2023 National Rural and Remote Health Award.

Ironically, he started the Hoops 4 Health program in Cairns.

Duggan's dedication extends beyond the court, with accolades like Top End NAIDOC Person of the Year (2012), a nomination for the Australian of the Year 'Local Hero' Award (2020), and induction into the NT Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

Ms Zipporah French

Zipporah French has spent the past decade building her vision — a large-scale practice management provider that can deliver tailored, personalised service packages to medical specialists.

Zipporah established Prescribe in 2014, after a career in medical industry management roles, where she identified the key areas where medical specialists were lacking in support to help make their practices flourish.

Prescribe currently works with hundreds of specialists, practising across a range of disciplines, and at varying stages of career. Each client is given a tailored practice management package for their practice, which includes access to a wealth of business, marketing, and administration expertise.

Prescribe Practice Management is not like other practice management providers — personalised service is its calling card. Zipporah and her team work closely with each and every client to ensure their day-to-day practice needs are taken care of.

Mr Matt Hanrahan

Matt Hanrahan is a highly accomplished healthcare executive and is currently the CEO of Healthe Care. Healthe Care is private hospital organisation, which operates across 18 sites in NSW, VIC, and TAS.

Before joining Healthe Care, Matt served as the deputy national chief executive officer at Calvary Health Care. Throughout his career, Matt has held several senior management positions in various healthcare organisations, both in the public and private sectors. Notably, Matt has served as the chief executive of Central Coast Local Health District (NSW Health), where he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in managing the district, overseeing the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to the local community. In addition, he also served as the CEO of General Practice NSW.

Matt's educational achievements also reflect his commitment to excellence in healthcare management. He holds a Masters in Health Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Science, allowing him to integrate scientific principles with practical healthcare management strategies. Furthermore, Matt is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Omar Khorshid

Dr Omar Khorshid is an experienced medial leader and orthopaedic surgeon from Perth, specialising in reconstructive and arthroplasty surgery of the knee and hip, including robotic surgery. He is a past president of the Australian Medical Association at a state and national level and has served in leadership and representative roles throughout his career.

Dr Khorshid is the head of department of orthopaedic surgery and lead surgeon at Fremantle Hospital and is a founding director of Coastal Orthopaedic Group Pty Ltd. He is a member of the Australian Medical Council, the World Medical Association Council and a practitioner fellow of UWA's Public Policy Institute.

Dr Khorshid has a longstanding interest in medical education and was appointed adjunct clinical associate professor at Curtin Medical School in 2016. He served on the AOA's Federal Training Committee for almost ten years, including four years as chair of education and training during the development and implementation of AOA's re-designed training program. He is a recipient of AOA's Leadership Award (2010), Education Award (2020) and is a fellow of the Australian Medical Association (2019).

In addition to his experience as a director of AOA, he is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served on the boards of the AMA and AMA (WA).

As president of the AMA from 2020 to 2022, he was deeply involved in Australia's pandemic response, whilst driving AMA advocacy around health system funding reform, private health insurance and Prostheses List reform, primary care, and public health.

Dr Scott Fletcher

Scott in an orthopaedic surgeon in Tasmania. Has had a number of leadership roles throughout his orthopaedic career. This included a 25-year span as head of a small orthopaedic department in Tasmania and a 15-year span as director of surgery.

His leadership roles have included state and national roles related to orthopaedics and surgery more generally. He is a member of the Arthroplasty Society (ASA) and spent a year in the presidential role of the ASA.

He also has fellowship with the College of Medical Administration (FRACMA) and uses this role to give him a better understanding of the broader health system. He is an associate professor through the University of Tasmania.

Scott is the current vice president of the Australian Orthopaedic Association and has a particular interest in connecting and integrating health services. 'Connection' is the theme of the 2025 AOA ASM in Hobart, Tasmania.

Dr Mark Moroney

Mark is married with two sons and has worked as an orthopaedic surgeon in the public and private sectors in Ipswich since 1999. He maintains a general orthopaedic practice with an interest in paediatric conditions.

Mark has always been committed to registrar teaching having been a past Queensland chair of training. In 2023 he completed nine years as an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He is a past secretary of the Australian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society.

He is passionate about Orthopaedic Outreach, maintaining a strong affiliation with the surgeons in Fiji via visitations and regular online communications. He is currently an AOA appointment on the Outreach Board.

Mark graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2024. When time allows, he enjoys trekking with his family which has taken them to places such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Langtang and Kokoda.

He looks forward to meeting and networking with everyone at the upcoming Emerging Leaders Forum in Cairns.

Ms Louise Tran

Louise Tran is a passionate advocate for social impact and sustainability, playing a key role in both OzHarvest and VietHarvest. As a dedicated member of OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, Louise works tirelessly to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity across the country. She also extends her expertise internationally through her involvement with VietHarvest, bringing the food rescue model to Vietnam to address similar challenges in a local context.

With a strong background in community engagement, program management, and strategic collaboration, Louise is committed to creating meaningful change. At OzHarvest, she collaborates with diverse stakeholders, develops innovative solutions to reduce food waste, and ensures rescued food is delivered to those in need. Her work with VietHarvest focuses on adapting the successful Australian model to meet the unique needs of Vietnamese communities, fostering sustainability and inclusivity.

Louise’s dedication extends beyond her professional roles as she inspires others to take action toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Through her contributions to both OzHarvest and VietHarvest, Louise is making a lasting impact on communities and the environment alike.

Dr Andrew Wines

Dr Andrew Wines is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle in adults and children, with a special interest in total ankle replacement. He graduated from the University of Sydney in 1994 and was awarded his FRACS (Orth) in 2002. He holds appointments at public and private hospitals on Sydney’s North Shore and in Dubbo.

He is the second vice president and treasurer of AOA and was chair of the New South Wales branch of AOA for five years. At various stages he has been chair of the Champions of Change, Surgical Performance, and Accreditation Committees of AOA, and a member of the Professional Standards, Continuing Professional Development, Federal Training, and Audit and Risk Committees.

He is the founding treasurer of the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance, which now has over 2000 members worldwide. He is the president of the Medical Benevolent Association of NSW and the ACT, and serves on the boards of St John Ambulance NSW and Knox Grammar School. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Churchill fellow, and a volunteer telephone counsellor at Lifeline Australia.
His very delightful and long-suffering wife is a paediatric anaesthetist. He has two university-aged children, his daughter wants to be an orthopaedic surgeon and his son definitely does not.

Ms Olivia Howden

National Sales and Project Manager Communications at Stryker
Stryker SSP Co-Site Lead of Stryker's Woman's Network

Raised in the middle of Australia on farming land at a place called Kimba (halfway between Sydney and Perth) Olivia completed a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Adelaide before embarking on her professional career. While at Stryker Olivia has held several roles including regional manager endoscopy/communications VIC/SA, commercial business manager national, and trauma territory manager.

Olivia is a mother of four and is classically trained on the piano and violin and has been playing since the age of five.

Ms Michelle Sinclair

Michelle is a seasoned financial leader with a robust background in driving strategic initiatives and fostering business growth. With over 16 years’ commercial experience in establishing and cultivating high-growth businesses in both Australia and New Zealand, Michelle brings a dynamic mix of entrepreneurial spirit, strategic advisory skills and financial management to the forefront.

Michelle’s expertise extends to designing scalable business strategies, building and leading high-performing finance teams, and delivering impactful financial management solutions that enhance organisational performance. Michelle has also successfully lead engagements in corporate strategy and business model design, finance function reviews, capability uplift programmes and delivers ongoing VCFO advisory services.

Dr Kate Stannage

Dr Kate Stannage is a consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Perth Children’s Hospital, specialising in neuromuscular conditions and 3D gait analysis. With over a decade of leadership experience, she has served as head of the orthopaedic department and is currently director of the Cerebral Palsy Mobility Service.

Kate has made significant contributions to the Australian orthopaedic community through her numerous leadership roles. She is a former president of the Australian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (APOS) and has held key positions on the AOA WA Executive Committee, the WA Regional Training Committee, and the AOA Accreditation Committee. Currently, she chairs the AOA Orthopaedic Women’s Link (OWL) and serves on both the AOA Board and Federal Training Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the court of examiners for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

A strong advocate for global health, Kate is the coordinator of the Australian Doctors for Africa clubfoot programme. Since 2014, she has been instrumental in establishing Ponseti treatment clinics in Madagascar and Somaliland.
Kate’s leadership extends beyond clinical practice. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has served as a non-executive director at Curtin University and supported several not-for-profit organizations, including Orthopaedic Outreach. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades such as the Women and Leadership Australia Excellence in Women’s Leadership Award (WA), the AOA Leadership Award, and the RACS Outstanding Service to the Community Award.

What's on?

A two-day forum with a cocktail hour and networking dinner on day one.
Cabaret-style seating.
A mix of presentations, panel discussions, group activities, guest interviews, debate-style sessions, networking, and team building opportunities.