Invited Speakers

Professor Henry Woo is the Head of the Department of Urology at Blacktown Hospital in Sydney. He is also the Director of Uro-Oncology and Head of Robotics at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Comprehensive Cancer Centre. He is an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University and a Conjoint Professor at Western Sydney University. 

Dr Kirsty Belfrage is a Consultant Anaesthetist who works in Bendigo and the surrounding region. She completed her medical degree at Monash University and obtained Fellowship with ANZCA in 2018. She has completed additional postgraduate qualifications with Master of Medicine (Pain Management) through University of Sydney and Master of Health Professions Education through Monash University. She has a mixed clinical practice covering a broad range of surgical sub-specialities across both private and public hospitals.

Dr Thomas Carins is an O&G that has completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Reconstructive surgery. He specialises in pelvic floor reconstruction, urinary incontinence, and minimally invasive surgery. Thomas has attended multiple aid trips in South Sudan to help with surgical repair of prolapse, as well as rectovaginal, urethrovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulas.

A/Prof Niall Corcoran is head of urology at Western Health and a VMO at RMH/Frankston. His main interests are prostate and bladder care, as well as improvements in surgical quality. 

Dr Rohan Hall is a busy regional urological surgeon based in Bendigo with an interest in uro-oncology and reconstructive urology. He is Deputy chair of the Victorian Section of urological training. Rohan has been a member of the Urological SET selection committee for 4 years. He is a senior instructor on the CCrISP Course for RACS.

Dr Lydia Johns-Putra is a urologist who has lived and worked in Ballarat since 2009. Lydia chairs of the Board of Urology of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). In addition, she participates in outreach work in Madagascar with the humanitarian not-for-profit organisation Australian Doctors for Africa.

Dr Daniel Lenaghan is a urologist at St Vincent's Public and Werribee Mercy Hospitals. He has research interests in stone disease (epidemiology, ESWL and supine mini-PCNL) and urethral stricture disease.

Dr Chau Wang Ng is a nephrologist, and a physician in general and obstetric medicine, practising at Bendigo Health and St John of God Bendigo Hospital. He has undertaken post-fellowship training, earning a Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine (RACP) and an Obstetric Medicine Certificate (SOMANZ). He is also a Graduate of the Chapter of Perioperative Medicine (ANZCA). In addition to his clinical practice, Dr Ng serves as the Final Year Academic Lead at Monash Rural Health, Bendigo.

Dr Anthony Ta is a urologist who trained in Melbourne before completing a robotic uro-oncology fellowship in London. He worked as a robotic pelvic oncology surgeon at University College Hospital in London for three years before returning to Melbourne in 2023. He currently performs robotic cystectomies at St Vincent's Health.

A/Prof Lih-Ming Wong is an academic uro-oncologist in Melbourne, Australia. Through involvement in research, teaching and quality improvement, Ming has received over 1 Million dollars in funding and has 70+ peer reviewed publications including leading a phase 3 trial comparing diagnostic accuracy between mpMRI and PSMA-PET/CT. At St Vincent’s he implemented the robotic program, obtained funding for robotic fellow and prostate cancer nurses, and is a board member of the Aitkenhead Centre for Medical Discovery.

A/Prof Dixon Woon is a consultant urologist at Eastern Health, Austin Health, and Epworth Health, Victoria, Australia. Dixon is the Deputy Leader of the USANZ Genitourinary Oncology Special Advisory Group. Dixon's clinical and academic interests include robotic surgery, complex uro-oncology, prostate cancer biomarkers, and surgical equity.

David Heath from Bendigo is a Urology Nurse Practitioner (NP) that works in both the public and private sectors. Dave was one of the original positions for specialist Prostate cancer nurses in 2012. Over the years, his role has grown to include bladder and renal cell cancer as well as prostate. This expansion of his role resulted in further studies in the form of a Masters in Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course which he completed in 2016. Dave’s current role involves the long term follow up of patients with urological cancers and side effect management. Dave undertakes cystoscopy surveillance for urothelial cancers and investigation of hematuria and also performing Prostate biopsies and placement of fiducial seeds prior to radiotherapy. Dave is a member of ACNP, USANZ, ANZUP, VUNS, CNSA and also remains affiliated with the PCFA. 

Dr Ellen Kelsey is an unaccredited urology registrar at Bendigo Health with an interest in regional and rural healthcare

Cheryl Ludwik is a Bendigo based pelvic health physiotherapist who has completed relevant post graduate studies at Melbourne University and University of South Australia. Cheryl is a senior clinician at both Bendigo Health Continence and Pelvic Floor Clinic and Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo. Her interests include men’s health, prolapse management and pelvic pain.

Dr Cheryl Jess Wynn is an unaccredited urology registrar based in Bendigo. She is passionate about delivering a high standard of healthcare to patients from regional Victoria. Her research interests include medical education and diversity and representation in surgery.