Associate Professor Annabel Martin, FRACP | Specialist contractor

Annabel is a nephrologist, general and obstetric medicine physician based in Northeast, Victoria. Since completing her FRACP in 2013 she has become firmly embedded in regional physician work with a passion for regional training, workforce and equity of health care provision. Her current roles include Head of Albury Campus Charles Sturt Rural Clinical School, Senior Lecturer UNSW & Clinician. Within the college, Annabel is a member of RACP council, the Rural, Regional and Remote strategy working group, and the Victorian Regional Subcommittee. She has co-authored a textbook chapter in Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology and delivered lecture updates in obstetric medicine. Annabel will bring an important regional lens to the general and acute care medicine curriculum renewal ensuring high quality curriculum design and delivery in every setting.

Dr Vinita Rane, FRACP, FaChSHM | Chair

Vinita promotes the development of modern skills needed to thrive in the clinical workplace. She is a dual-trained General and Sexual Health Physician with significant clinical and academic appointments. She is the Professional Practice Clinical Lead at the University of Melbourne and holds public appointments as the Head of Medicine Unit 5 (Pandemic Unit) at the Northern Hospital, Epping, and as a sexual health physician at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton. Using trauma-informed and positive education principles, she collaborates with the medical community to develop explicit curricula that equip doctors with 21st-century skills: creativity, curiosity, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.

Dr Jared Green, FRACP | Deputy Chair

Jared is a Rural Hospital Specialist and General and Infectious Diseases Physician. He is the past chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand General and Acute Care Medicine ATC, has previously served on the Board of Studies of the New Zealand Division of Rural Hospital Medicine (RNZCGP), and as a clinical lead on the DRHMNZ fellowship training programme. He divides his clinical time between the Central North Island and the Northern Territory.

Associate Professor Ar Kar Aung, FRACP

Ar Kar is a general and infectious diseases physician at Alfred Health in Melbourne, Victoria. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004 and attained his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2012. He completed a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at James Cook University in 2015. Currently, Ar Kar is Chair of the IMSANZ Research Network, a Director of the IMSANZ Board, and holds an adjunct Clinical Associate Professor position at Monash University.

Ar Kar has strong interests in medical education, clinical medicine, quality improvement research, health service and clinical research, medication safety, and adverse drug reactions. He was Chair of the Australian General and Acute Care Medicine Advance Training Committee (GACM ATC) at the College and Director of Physician Education (DPE) at Alfred Health. From 2015 to 2019, he supervised and coordinated the General and Acute Care Medicine Advanced Training Program at Alfred Health. Ar Kar has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles, numerous clinical guidelines and book chapters, and co-edited 2 medical textbooks.

Dr Rebecca Croke, FRACP

Rebecca is a dual-trained physician in general medicine and nephrology from Western Australia. Originally from Ireland, she completed her undergraduate medical training at University College Cork before moving to Perth. She has worked in diverse clinical settings, including both metropolitan areas and the remote Kimberley Region. Rebecca is passionate about addressing healthcare inequities and improving outcomes for disadvantaged patients through collaborative interagency relationships and patient engagement. Since 2018, she has been a member of the General and Acute Care Medicine Advanced Training Committee and currently serves as its Chair. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys photography, travel, coffee, and expanding her sizeable indoor plant collection.

Dr Lee Fairhead, FRACP

Lee is dual trained in infectious diseases and general and acute Care, with a special interest in medical education. She is currently undertaking a project within the WA Country Health Service to establish a rural physician training pathway in Western Australia.

Dr Anand Ganes

Anand is a 2nd year general medicine advanced trainee based in Victoria, with experience in regional and rural Victoria. He wishes to pursue dual training in general medicine and cardiology. Anand holds a Master of Public Health and is currently completing a Diploma in Clinical Ultrasound at the University of Melbourne. Beyond his clinical pursuits, Anand has an interest in medical education and has received positive feedback from students about his teaching style.

Dr Telena Kerkham, FRACP

Telena is the Director of General Medicine and Advanced Training at the Launceston General Hospital in Tasmania, where she also works as a General and Perioperative Physician. Dr Kerkham is a former IMSANZ council member and is a passionate advocate for the General and Acute Care Medicine specialty. She is a clinician researcher affiliated with the University of Tasmania. Her other passions include her two young children, pet dog and chickens, and long-distance running.

Dr Rebekah Shakhovskoy, FRACP

Rebekah is a senior staff specialist in general and obstetric medicine at the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Hospital Service, and a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Griffith University. Since 2019, she has been a representative on the Society of Obstetric Medicine Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) and on the College's General and Acute Care Medicine Advanced Training Committee. Rebekah plays an active role in accrediting general and acute care medicine training positions and overseeing pre-vocational trainees. Currently, she chairs the SOMANZ Training Committee, coordinating obstetric medicine training and site accreditations across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Her involvement with the College includes facilitating the Supervisor Professional Development Program and serving on the Adult Medicine National Examining Panel. Rebekah has held leadership positions in health services, including Director of Clinical Training, Director of Physician Training, and Director of Education and Inter-professional Learning. With a Masters in Clinical Leadership, she possesses expertise in developing and implementing education and training strategies within health services. Rebekah also actively engages in research on inter-professional education in health.

Dr Kody Shaw

Kody is a general medicine and nephrology advanced trainee from Aotearoa New Zealand. He is enthusiastic about medical education and has recently completed postgraduate studies in this area. Kody’s goal is to contribute to the development of a refreshed and relevant curriculum that meets trainee needs. He intends to provide a strong trainee perspective and welcome feedback and contributions from his training colleagues.

Dr Spencer Toombes, FRACP

Spencer is a public hospital staff specialist general physician based in Toowoomba. He graduated from the University of Queensland last century and has worked in Rockhampton, Nambour, and the Royal Brisbane. He completed advanced training in general medicine in Townsville and Cairns. Spencer has interests in endoscopy, cardiology, rural health, and medical education. He serves as the Medical Director of Physician Training for Queensland Health and holds a role as a National Examiner for the College. Outside of medicine, he enjoys scuba diving, science fiction, computer games, and coffee.

Dr Kaspar Willson, FRACP

Kaspar is a general physician and Head of General Medicine at Royal Darwin Hospital. His focus is on delivering the highest quality care in regional and remote settings, including fostering and implementing integrated healthcare models. The RDH has a substantial general medicine service, and Kaspar aims to train well-rounded GACM Fellows with a broad skill set capable of excelling in regional hospitals across Australia.