Dr Robert Baade is a Senior Staff Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Mater Mothers Hospital Brisbane and also works in public practice at the Mater Mothers Hospital, the biggest obstetric unit in Australia. Prior to Dr Baade’s appointment at the Mater, he worked primarily in rural and remote health care settings, including working as a staff specialist at Ipswich and Toowoomba Hospitals in Queensland and with the Flying Obstetric and Gynaecological Service. Dr Baade is a member of the steering committee for the obstetrics components of the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway, and was the Queensland representative on the group for the report Exploring Healthcare Variation in Australia: Analyses Resulting from an OECD Study.

Conjoint Professor Anne Duggan is a senior Medical Advisor to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and Chair of the Commission’s Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation Advisory Group. Anne is a Gastroenterologist at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle NSW and a Conjoint Professor School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle. Anne has a strong interest in quality and safety, system improvement and redesign. She has previously worked as a medical advisor to the Quality and Safety Branch of NSW Health and as Executive Director of Clinical Governance for Hunter New England Local Health District.

Hayley Harrison is passionate about bringing the community voice and believes this is essential to guiding the development of health policy and service delivery. Her interest in consumer related health issues has been driven by a want to improve health literacy and personal experience of the healthcare system. Hayley has been a consumer representative for six years and has been a member of both local and national health committees bringing the lived experience to those positions. She has been a Board Member of the Health Consumers Council WA for the past two years. In her professional life Hayley works for the Consumer and Community Health Research Network supporting researchers, consumers and community members to work together to make decisions about research priorities, policy and practice.

Professor Marshall is recognised internationally as an eminent urology consultant, educator and researcher. His experience spans the provision of clinical services, general management of public hospitals, and improvement in safety and quality in healthcare settings. Professor Marshall held faculty appointments at the London Hospital Medical College, St Peters Hospital and Royal Adelaide Hospital before serving as Chair of Flinders Medical Centre, Department of Urology for 25 years. Professor Marshall was also the General Manager and Clinical Director of Surgical Specialities Service at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Clinical Professor of Surgery at Adelaide University. In 2006 Professor Marshall was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia for service to medicine in urology and kidney disease research. In 1999 he received the highest award of the Order of St John for more than 20 years’ service in supporting the training of volunteer ambulance personnel throughout Australia. Professor Marshall is also a distinguished fellow and past president of the Urological Society of Australia.

Sophie Scott is the national medical reporter for the ABC, in addition to being a prominent public speaker. Sophie has won numerous awards for excellence in medical and health journalism, including an Australian Museum Eureka award and multiple awards from various professional medical colleges. Sophie’s reports appear on the ABC news, Lateline, and 7:30. She hosts the Health Quarter on ABC News 24 and is a frequent guest on Richard Glover’s 702 Drive. Sophie is an ambassador for Bowel Cancer Australia, to raise awareness of cancer screening. She is the author of two books, Live a Longer Life and Roadtesting Happiness.

Anne Smart is a Women’s Health Clinical Nurse Consultant, Counsellor for the Crisis On Call Sexual Assault Service, and a Tai Chi for Health & Arthritis Instructor, with Western NSW Local Health District. She lives in Orange, ‘The Colour City’ which lies within a regional rural rhapsody that has to be seen, felt and heard for best appreciation. Anne’s nursing career accumulates 40 years working in rural communities, alongside health providers who share her interest and heartfelt warmth in making a difference in the lives of women and their families towards improved health, wellness and wellbeing. When not working, you’ll find her walking in nature in the nearby botanical gardens, enjoying family time and friends…and teaching herself to play the lap harp!

Dr Louise Sterling is a GP Obstetrician who has been working in West Gippsland since 2004. After completing her undergraduate medical training at Monash University she undertook her internship and residency at Penninsula Health before moving to Gippsland for post-graduate specialist training in General Practice. Along with her clinical work in general practice and women's health, including antenatal and intrapartum pregnancy care, Louise works as a medical educator and is involved with committees for both the Victorian Department of Health and the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.