Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF)


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Co-convenor Ian Incoll presenting at the 2024 ELF in Melbourne. 

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), Orthopaedic Women’s Link (OWL), and Rural Surgeons Committee, 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, the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, and International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance, and nominees from the local orthopaedic unit where the forum takes place. 


ELF 2025

When: Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 June
Where: Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, QLD

What's on?

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

Themes

Day one


  • Welcome
  • Networking and fun

Day two


  • Wellness focus
  • Delegate introductions
  • Giving back and leading by example
  • Leadership, effective teams, and followership
  • Indigenous leadership perspectives
  • DEI and leadership
  • Artificial intelligence in the modern world
  • Advocacy and leadership
  • Fostering a successful business and practice

Day three


  • Medical leadership — from the dark side to centre stage
  • The Great Debate — Leaders are made and not born
  • Leadership journeys
  • Advocacy and leadership
  • Understanding of how leadership interacts with organisational responsibility
  • International perspectives on leadership
  • Wellness in leadership
  • Team building and working in teams
  • Leadership and clinical governance

Program

A full program will be available soon. 



 

Co-convenors

Ian-Incoll-resized

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

Adrian-Cosenza-resized

Mr Adrian Cosenza
AOA CEO


Co-convenor bios

 
Professor Ian Incoll is an Australian surgeon educator and orthopaedic surgeon. He is conjoint professor in the faculty of health and medicine at the University of Newcastle, and a subject coordinator for the graduate programs in surgical education at the University of Melbourne. In this masters program, he leads subjects on professionalism, leadership, assessment, and selection.

He is a past president, chair of training and dean of education for the Australian Orthopaedic Association and helped develop their new curriculum for orthopaedic surgery training, AOA 21. He has worked as district director of surgery for Central Coast Local Health District.

Professor Incoll has published on surgical education and diversity within surgery and is an international speaker on curriculum design and implementation, and diversity. He was awarded the RACS Sir Alan Newton Medal for Surgical Education in 2021, and the AOA Leadership Award in 2010 and Services to Education award in 2021.
Adrian is an experienced chief executive officer and seasoned director, having served in an executive capacity in three industries including medical education, technology, and banking and finance and in a director capacity on over 15 boards across five industry sectors in four country jurisdictions.  

Adrian is the chief executive officer and company secretary of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA), having joined AOA in July 2010 and is also the chief executive officer and company secretary of AOA Research Foundation, chair of the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association and chair of the Australian Ethical Health Alliance (AEHA). Since 2016 Adrian has served as the Australasian ambassador for the International Medical Education Leaders Forum convened by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Adrian is also the first national CEO CookOff Brand Ambassador for OzHarvest. 

Over the past ten years, Adrian has led the modernisation of AOA into a vibrant and respected leader in the field of orthopaedics while also leading the establishment of AEHA, Australia’s consensus framework group with over 70 signatories representing over 200,000 healthcare professionals and over 3.2m patients/consumers.  

Adrian has three degrees, a Bachelor Commerce and Masters of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and a MBA from IMD Lausanne Switzerland. Adrian is a fellow of three professional bodies Australian Institute of Company Directors, Financial Services Institute, and CPA Australia. 

Speakers

Corinne-Archer-resized

Ms Corinne Archer (NSW)
AOA Technology Executive Manager

Zipporah-French-resized

Ms Zipporah French (QLD)
CEO Prescribe
Practice Management

Mark-Moroney-resizerd

Dr Mark Moroney (QLD)
AOA
Vice-President 

Louise-Tran,-Head-of-OzHarvest-Ventures_resized

Ms Louise Tran (NSW)
Head of OzHarvest Ventures 

Timmy-Duggan-reszied

Mr Timmy Duggan (NT)
Founder Hoops 4
Health

Matt-Hanrahan-resized

Mr Matt Hanrahan (NSW)
National COO and Deputy CEO Calvary Health Care

Andrew-Wines-resized

Dr Andrew Wines (NSW)
AOA Second
Vice-President

Katherine-Stannage-resized

Dr Kate Stannage (WA)
AOA OWL Committee Chair

Scott-Fletcher-resized

Dr Scott Fletcher (TAS)
AOA
President 

Omar-Khorshid-resized

Dr Omar Khorshid (WA)
Former AMA President and AOA member

Michelle-White-CMEO_resized

Ms Michelle White (VIC)
AOA Chief Member Experience Officer



Keynote speaker bios

 

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.

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. 
 

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.

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. 
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 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. 
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.  
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.
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.
Michelle White is a business and marketing professional with extensive experience across healthcare, wellness, and professional membership association in the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Michelle currently serves as the Chief Member Experience Officer at the Australian Orthopaedic Association, leading the member services and experience team across marketing and communications, fellowships, strategic partnerships, alliance, and business development portfolios to deliver high-quality member services and value. She also leads AOA strategic initiatives in workforce and membership priorities including diversity, culture, and inclusion, supporting AOA’s Reconciliation Action Plan, the Orthopaedic Women’s Link events and workshops, and the Emerging Leader’s Forum. 

Michelle holds a Master of Commerce from Swinburne University in Melbourne. With a career spanning over twenty years in consulting and executive management, Michelle is a well-known and respected figure in the not-for-profit membership association sector, matching her marketing and strategic expertise with her wide network of contacts and personable nature. 
 
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.

 

Sponsors

AOA values the contribution of our sponsors of the ELF which make it possible for this event to run.

 

Major industry sponsors:


Trade exhibition sponsors:

 

Tego-Insurance-Logo

Joy surgical logo


Welcome reception sponsor:

 

pp logo

 

Dinner sponsor:

avant-logo_260x145px
Avant Life Insurance 



 Are you a business interested in sponsorship of the 2025 or future ELF? Contact aoa@aoa.org.au