WESTERN AUSTRALIAN KIRKBRIDE MELANOMA ADVISORY SERVICE - Key Persons
Clinical Professor Adnan Khattak works as a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) and SJOG Subiaco/Murdoch. He did his initial specialist training in Adelaide before going to the UK where he worked as a Clinical Research Fellow in the melanoma unit at the prestigious Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Prof Khattak is an active researcher, with interests in melanoma and cancer immunotherapy. He is the Director of Medical Oncology Clinical Trials Unit at FSH and the Primary Investigator of many International/National clinical trials. He strongly encourages his patients to participate in clinical trials and has vast experience in using novel anti-cancer therapies.
He has more than 40 publications at this stage in various peer reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology and European Journal of Cancer. He has presented his research at a number of National and International scientific meetings. He has been invited as an International visiting speaker to the US, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, China, Singapore and Malaysia. His current research projects include blood-based biomarkers (circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour DNA) of response & resistance to immunotherapy in cancer.
He is the recipient of a number of prestigious research awards including Cancer Council WA Suzanne Cavanagh Young Investigator Award, Raine Foundation Research Fellowship, Spinnaker Health Research Foundation award, MSD Young Investigator award, NHMRC Developmental grant and Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation Award. He is the Chief Investigator/Associate Investigator of research grants in excess of A$2,500,000.
Job Titles:
- Administration Assistant
- Member of the WAKMAS Team
Bernadette joined WAKMAS in September 2023. After completing a BA (Art History) at UWA, Bernadette worked for a private art collection and curated community art exhibitions. Her administrative career has included working in public and private hospitals, as well as in medical education.
Dr Alan Donnelly is a consultant Dermatologist in private practice at West Leederville and Joondalup. He is currently the head of department at Fremantle hospital. He did his undergraduate training at the University of Western Australia and post graduate training as a Fellow of the Australasian College of Physicians 1994 and then completed a Fellowship in the Australasian College of Dermatologists in 1998.
Job Titles:
- Nuclear Physician
- Nuclear Physicsian
Job Titles:
- Dermatologist
- Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists
Dr Quirk has been involved for 25 years in both teaching and research at Royal Perth Hospital and the University of WA, and as worked in private and public sector as a consultant dermatologist. He has conducted drug trials for major pharmaceutical companies and sits on advisory boards of two international companies at present.
Dr Quirk is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and a Member of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of WAMAS.
His interests include melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, psoriasis and transdermal drug delivery.
Dr Daniel Hewitt completed his medical degree at the University of Western Australia. He entered Basic Physician training prior to commencing Dermatology Training. He completed this training programme in Western Australia and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
After working in private practice in Perth, Daniel has subsequently worked in Sydney as a Dermatology Consultant for the Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia and Westmead Hospital. He was the Supervisor of Training at these institutions and extensively involved in the teaching of medical students, general practitioners and Dermatology trainees. He was a Principal Investigator in a trial of photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis and involved in trials of new therapies for advanced melanoma.
With the Australasian College of Dermatologists, he has previously served as the Honorary Secretary of the Western Australian Faculty. He is the current State Examiner on the National Examinations Committee and a member of the General Practitioner Education Task Force
His areas of special interest include melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, phototherapy and inflammatory skin disease.
Currently, Daniel works in Private Practice at Burswood Dermatology, in Victoria Park, and at Royal Perth Hospital. He has ongoing commitments in providing educational programmes to the general public, medical students, general practitioners and Dermatology trainees.
Job Titles:
- Ben Wood Anatomical Pathologist
Job Titles:
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
- Specialist
Dr Taylor is a specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Dr Ernest Tan graduated in medicine from the University of Western Australia in 1990. He trained in dermatology at Royal Perth Hospital and has been a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists since 1998.
He is currently a Consultant Dermatologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth and is a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Western of Australia. He is a past Head of Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. He is in private practice in Burswood in Perth. He is the lead clinician for Skin Tumour (Melanoma) WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network.
Dr. Tan has been actively involved several recent clinical trials in the treatment of psoriasis and solar keratoses. He has published articles in several peer reviewed journals. He is involved in ongoing teaching and education of students, Dermatology registrars and general practitioners in Perth.
His area of interest is in the practice of Dermatology including Skin Cancers, Mohs surgery, melanoma and psoriasis.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Anatomical Pathologist
Dr Joe Kattampallil is a Consultant Dermatopathologist and Histopathologist working at Clinipath Pathology WA. He completed his medical training at Flinders University in South Australia (BMBS) before doing his General Practice Fellowship (FRACGP) and subsequently an MBA.
He started his Anatomical Pathology training at the Royal Darwin Hospital in the Northern Territory and completed training in WA through the interhospital rotation in 2005 (FRCPA). He has a broad experience in Anatomical Pathology having worked at Western Diagnostic Pathology before joining Drs Trevor Beer and Peter Heenan at Cutaneous Pathology (Healthscope Pathology) in 2010 to begin sub-specialty training in Dermatopathology. He completed the European Diploma in Dermatopathology in 2012.
He works full time at Clinipath Pathology WA where he sub specialises in Dermatopathology including melanoma diagnoses. He has been involved with the WA Melanoma Kirkbride Advisory Service (WAKMAS) since 2011.
Job Titles:
- Nuclear Medicine Specialist
Liesl graduated with Honours from the University of Melbourne's Medical School in 2004. She commenced her radiology training in the Western Australian Radiology Inter-hospital Training program in 2007 and obtained Fellowship in 2012. She completed a year of Advanced Training in Chest Imaging at Fremantle Hospital in 2011. Liesl then completed two further years of training in Nuclear Medicine and PET both in Victoria and Western Australia, including time at the University Hospital, Geelong, Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne and Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth. In 2016 Liesl became the Inaugural Fellow in Translational Imaging at The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and holds an appointment at the Fiona Stanley Hospital Department Nuclear Medicine. She is a member of the AANMS and RANZCR.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Dirctor
- Deputy Director of WAKMAS - Medical Oncologist
Dr Lam graduated from the University of Western Australia (MBBS) in 1994 and completed his training in Anatomical Pathology (FRCPA) in 2001.
He worked as a consultant pathologist for Specialist Histopathology and Cytopathology Services, Fremantle and Cutaneous Pathology, Nedlands before moving to San Francisco in 2006 to complete a twelve month postdoctoral fellowship in dermatopathology at the University of California. During that time, Dr Lam also passed the examinations for International Board Certification in Dermatopathology under the auspices of the International Committee for Dermatopathology.
He has most recently worked with Dr Peter Heenan at Heenan Lam Skin Pathology before forming his own private practice, Cutaneous Pathology in East Perth. Dr Lam is also a pathology assessor for the Western Australian Melanoma Advisory Service and is actively involved in the teaching of dermatopathology to registrars.
Job Titles:
- Anatomical Pathologist
- Clinical Associate Professor at Murdoch University
Dr Mesbah Ardakani is a dermatopathologist at PathWest, a clinical associate professor at Murdoch University and senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia. He completed his training in anatomical pathology in Western Australia and received the fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (FRCPA) in 2014. In addition, he completed a fellowship in dermatopathology and molecular pathology at PathWest in 2015. Nima has also spent time at Melanoma Institute Australia in Sydney and UCSF Dermatopathology at the University of California, San Francisco as a visiting fellow in 2015. Dr Mesbah Ardakani has been involved in substantial research with a focus on molecular and pathological aspects of melanocytic neoplasms, culminating in more than 30 publications, several conference appearances as a speaker as well as receiving the best fellow's study presentation award from the American Society of Dermatopathology in 2015. He is also active in teaching medical students and pathology trainees as well as promoting dermatopathology via social media and online resources.
Dr Ali is a medical oncologist competent in managing a wide range of solid cancers with special interest in management of lung, melanoma and colorectal cancers.
After finishing oncology training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, he obtained FRACP Specialist Fellowship in 2011. Dr Ali commenced his elective year as a clinical trial fellow at the Westmead Hospital, where he coordinated number of Phase I to III trials. Dr Ali was instrumental in setting up melanoma and immunotherapy services at the Canberra Hospital. His research interests include immune oncology, predictive biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitor, and health service delivery. He is currently pursuing translational research in collaboration with labs in ANU medical school and University of Canberra to identify patients who benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor and predict toxicity. He has published his research findings in several high impact journals and presented in national and international conferences.
Dr Ali consults and treats patients at Icon Cancer Centre Midland, in addition to his appointment as Head of Medical Oncology at St John of God Hospital Midland.
Dr Siao Hoon is a medical oncologist competent in managing a wide range of solid cancers with special interest in management of lung, melanoma and breast cancers.
She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Western Australia and spent the early years of her medical training at Royal Perth Hospital. Subsequently, Dr Hoon completed an advanced medical oncology traineeship at Sydney's Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals, as well as completing her fellowship as Melanoma fellow at Crown Princess Mary Cancer centre.
Dr Hoon consults and treats patients at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital specialising in thoracic cancers and melanoma. She also consults at SJOG Midland and Midwest Cancer centre.
I trained at the Royal Free Hospital in London, moved to Perth in 1999 and completed my oncology training in Perth in 2008. I completed a fellowship in melanoma and gynaecological cancers at The Royal Marsden, London in 2009. Since then, I have worked as an oncologist at Royal Perth Hospital until the department's closure in February 2015 and I continue to work at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. My specialty areas are melanoma, gastrointestinal and lung cancers.
Job Titles:
- Nuclear Physician and Radiologist
MBChB, FRCR, FRANZCR. Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine physician, with a special interest in oncology imaging (Particularly melanoma and lung cancer).
I work at Qscan Rockingham PET-CT Centre, Fiona Stanley and Royal Perth hospitals. I'm also an associate clinical lecturer at the medical school in Curtin university.
Job Titles:
- Member of the WAKMAS Team
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
Heather is a Registered Nurse / Midwife who has a wide range of experiences. She has worked in various settings, starting in 1981 in a small rural hospital then moving to tertiary metropolitan institutions and the community.
Heather has recently joined and is enjoying working at WAKMAS as a Clinical Nurse.
Jonas Nilsson trained as molecular biologist at Umeå University, Sweden, and as a tumor biologist as a postdoc at St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. After returning to Sweden he started a lab at his alma mater before moving to Gothenburg where he founded the Sahlgrenska Translational Melanoma Group together with clinicans at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The group aims to identify new treatment options for melanoma patients based on translational and clinical research, with a special interest in uveal melanoma. Focus lies on understanding the genetics of the disease (Fredriksson et al., Nature Genetics 2014; Karlsson et al., Nature Communications 2020) and creating humanized animal models of melanoma (PDX) for use in translational research (Einarsdottir et al., Oncotarget 2014; Gad et al., Nature 2014; Xue et al., Nature Medicine 2107; Jespersen/Lindberg et al., Nature Communications 2017; Nilsson et al., Nature, 2018; Forsberg et al., Cancer Research 2019; Ny et al., Annals of Oncol 2020). Focus of the group is also on investigator-initiated clinical trials where Dr Nilsson currently manages the translational effort of the SCANDIUM, the PEMDAC (Ny/Jespersen et al., Nature Communications, 2021) and the HAI-TIL clinical trials for uveal melanoma patients. Overall, Dr Nilsson has authored over 80 publications many of which in leading journals. He was a Fellow of the Swedish Cancer Society from 2007-2020 during which he became Full Professor in Experimental Cancer Surgery 2015. He was the Director of Sahlgrenska Cancer Center from 2018. Recently he accepted a position as the Inaugural Chair of Melanoma Discovery at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. He relocated to Perth and is building a multidisciplinary translational research group that integrates the clinical Western Australia Kirkbride Melanoma Advisory Service (WAKMAS).
Mark completed medical training at the University of Western Australia in 1994, graduating with degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
After a further 9 years of post graduate training in Western Australian and Queensland and meeting stringent examination and training requirements of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons, Mark obtained the qualification of Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) in 2003. Mark was then selected as a fellow in craniofacial surgery at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. He completed a further 12 months post fellowship training in craniofacial, cosmetic and facial trauma surgery.
Mark established a private practice in Perth in 2005 and was a founding member of the Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre. In addition to his Perth practice, Mark is a visiting visiting Plastic Surgeon servicing Bunbury and the South West and Albany and the Great Southern regions. Mark is regularly involved in undergraduate and postgraduate surgical training.
Mark is involved in charity work and has conducted humanitarian missions in the Philippines and Africa treating adults and children in these countries with Burn scars contractures and Cleft Lip and Palate. His work was recognised through being awarded the RealSelf international fellowship for humanitarian work in 2018.
Job Titles:
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Adrian Brooks is a Perth trained Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He graduated from the University of Southampton, UK in 1997. He then emigrated to Australia and settled in Perth where he completed advanced surgical training.
He developed a keen interest in melanoma and its surgical management and has been a member of the West Australian Melanoma Advisory Service since 2009.
Adrian routinely performs all aspects of melanoma surgery and reconstruction as well as sentinel lymph node biopsy as well as completion lymphadenectomy when it is required.
Adrian operates at Hollywood Private Hospital, Joondalup Private Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. He consults in Nedlands, Belmont and Joondalup rooms.
Job Titles:
- Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Mr David Colbert (MBBS FRACS Plastic Surgery) is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon based in Perth, WA.
Mr Colbert's credentials include:
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (University of Western Australia)
Fellow of Royal Australian College of Surgeons (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
Member Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Member Western Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member Royal Australian College of Surgeons
Mr Colbert specialises in both reconstructive surgery (including melanoma) and cosmetic surgery (breast, body, and facial surgery). He is available for all skin cancer referrals and provides an excellent level of service both in any number of the public or private hospitals that he works in. Mr Colbert prides himself on his quality of care, where he treats every patient like a family member, while also delivering exceptional surgical results.
Job Titles:
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
He is passionate about achieving the highest standards of care for his patients. He is friendly, honest, compassionate & is known for his ability to make people feel at ease with his considerate manner. He maintains an active interest in the latest research and developments. Debesh has a passion for teaching and values his role as a mentor to aspiring surgeons. He holds a position of senior clinical lecturer at the University of Western Australia and is actively involved in teaching Plastic surgical trainees, hospital residents and medical students.
He has worked in all major Perth Hospitals with all prominent West Australian Plastic Surgeons. He is proficient in all aspects of Plastic Surgery and offers a wide array of services:
Job Titles:
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
- Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Jeremy Rawlins is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who works at Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital and in private practice in Perth. His subspecialty interests include major plastic surgery trauma & burns, head and neck reconstruction, and skin malignancy. His private practice includes reconstructive plastic surgery and aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery.
He undertook his undergraduate medical studies in Leeds, UK where he graduated bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery with honours. He undertook a Masters degree in Plastic Surgery and Burns at the University of Bradford, UK. He has Fellowships in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the UK Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
His main charitable activity includes the setting-up and ongoing running of a regional burn centre in Eastern Tanzania.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Remo Papini is a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospitals.
He graduated in 1984 at the Royal Free Hospital in London, obtaining a General Surgical Fellowship in 1990. Having completed Plastic Surgery training over the next 7 years in the UK (which included a 2 year research fellowship), he became the first Plastic Surgery Fellow in Perth, working with Fiona Wood.
Upon returning to the UK he worked as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Heart of England NHS trust for 14 years and was Burn unit director for 6 years. He moved back to Perth in 2012 and is an active member of the state Sarcoma service. He has published over 30 papers and several book chapters.
At the Heart of England Foundation Trust Remo provided the Plastic Surgical support to the Skin Oncology Multi-disciplinary team for 12 years. He worked in conjunction with Dermatologists in joint skin oncology clinics once a week, and provided a reconstructive service for patients undergoing Mohs Surgery. These joint clinics permitted multidisciplinary assessment and follow up for skin oncology patients in the West Midlands, reducing patient appointment times.
He has been involved in Undergraduate and Postgraduate training for surgical and Dermatological trainees, as well as local General Practitioners, and was a member of the Plastic Surgical training committee for the West Midlands.
He is now responsible for training and appraisal for Plastic Surgical trainees and Interns at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Job Titles:
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Dr Gurfinkel holds a position of senior lecturer (clinical) at the University of Western Australia, and is actively involved with the teaching of surgical trainees, hospital residents and medical students.
Dr Gurfinkel is also involved in charity work, including a trip to the Philippines with the "Return Smiles to Kids" operation.
Job Titles:
- Plastic Surgeon
- Specialist
Mr Rob Owen is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
He completed Undergraduate Medical school at Cardiff University in 2005, and worked in the UK for two years before emigrating to Perth. Rob gained a broad knowledge base in a variety of specialties before completing Plastic Surgery Training in 2018, being awarded Fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (FRACS).
Rob then completed post Fellowship Training in Melanoma and Sarcoma Surgery in the UK in 2019/20, alongside furthering experience in Breast Reconstruction and Lymphatic Surgery.
Rob holds appointments at all three of the Adult Tertiary Public Teaching Hospitals in Perth, and joined WAKMAS in 2019.
Rob is heavily involved in teaching and training holding positions with The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons & Notre Dame University, and is the current Educational Supervisor for WA Plastic Surgery Trainees.
Job Titles:
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Sam undertook medical school training at the University of Western Australia. After qualifying he spent 4 years working in the United Kingdom before undertaking Plastic Surgery Training in Western Australia. After qualifying as a Plastic Surgeon in 2011, Sam spent another 2 years training in Craniomaxillofacial surgery with positions at the Australian Craniofacial Unit and in Wellington. His specialty interests are Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Trauma.
Sam has a consultant position at SCGH and RPH as well as private rooms in West Perth. He is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Western Australia and is actively involved in training future Plastic Surgeons.
Job Titles:
- Administration Assistant
- Member of the WAKMAS Team
Rusty joined WAKMAS in July 2020 as part of the job share Administrative Assistant role. Rusty has been working in the medical field for the last 30 odd years as an Enrolled Nurse and then as a Medical Typist. Rusty enjoys reading, baking and gardening.
Job Titles:
- Member of the WAKMAS Team
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Stacey is an experienced Registered Nurse and her career in nursing began in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland initially in the General Medical Wards and then in the Gynaecology Oncology Ward. Stacey then went to work in a charity supporting patients with life limiting conditions which included Cancer. Stacey emigrated to Perth, WA in 2013 and started work as a Clinical Nurse at WAMAS.
Since 2013 Stacey has worked part time as CN WAMAS/ WAKMAS and was recently appointed as the Clinical Nurse Coordinator for WAKMAS providing support and information to clinicians and patients across WA. Stacey has a wealth of knowledge around the management of primary melanoma.
Stacey has three school aged children and enjoys exploring WA in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Professor
Professor Tarek Meniawy is a Medical Oncologist with a special interest in the management of gynaecological cancers, melanoma of the skin, as well as cancer immunotherapy and clinical trials. He is accredited at St John of God Subiaco Hospital and also holds Consultant appointments at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and the King Edward Memorial Hospital. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University and a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia.
Tarek completed his medical degree at Cairo University, before undertaking postgraduate physician training in Brisbane. He then undertook further training in Medical Oncology in WA and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2011. He has also been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by the University of Western Australia, where he studied the effects of anti-cancer therapies on the immune system.
Professor Meniawy has a keen interest in teaching and research, particularly in the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy. He is actively involved in clinical trials, acting as a Principal Investigator or co-investigator on more than 40 active studies, including early trials of novel targeted therapies and immunotherapies in different tumour types, large multi-national trials in gynaecological cancers, melanoma and immunotherapy, as well as grant-funded, investigator-initiated research. He is a member of the WA Gynaecological Cancer Service as well as the WA Kirkbride Melanoma Advisory Service. He is also a member of several national and international professional organisations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the International Gynaecological Cancer Society, the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. He is an active member of the Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG). His work has been published in a number of original articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and conference papers, and has presented regularly at local, national and international conferences.