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PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

SPEAKERS

PTA-C/26 From Innovation to Implementation — Shaping Tomorrow’s Standards of Care Today

Australia’s premier technology in diagnostics congress returns for 2026 — with a focus on delivering flexible, personalised, and preventative healthcare. 

Australia’s healthcare system is under mounting pressure from an ageing population, increased chronic disease, and workforce challenges. Our important infrastructure under Medicare and State Health systems urgently need to evolve to meet these challenges using scalable, technology-enabled models of care. 

PTA-C/26 is moving the conversation forward from ideas to action: 

  • Predict. Prevent. Personalise – How innovative diagnostics enable earlier detection, targeted prevention, and tailored care. An efficient and sustainable approach driving better outcomes for patients and systems alike. 
  • Innovation in Motion – What it takes to deliver the right test to the right patient at the right time — in real-world, flexible high-volume, and decentralised settings. 
  • The Value Fountain – Why the ‘value of knowing’ and other fundamental values must be central to healthcare decision-making. Exploring diagnostics as a cornerstone of value-based care. 

Expect real-world case studies, diverse voices across the health continuum, health economic arguments, government perspectives, and hands-on workshops designed to spark practical change. 

Who Should Attend? 
This congress is designed to unite healthcare professionals across disciplines. Topical and action-oriented content ideal if you work in:

  • Pathology or pathology services
  • General Practice or other healthcare settings
  • Pharmacy
  • Health policy
  • Medical technology industry
  • Government health services
  • Medical and health research

Adopting a drill down format - plenary lecture to set the scene, panel discussion to spotlight experts in the field, real-world case studies with technology showcases, and breakout workshops encouraging delegates to add their expertise – the congress will result in recommendations to drive the policy and infrastructure of our healthcare system towards much-needed evolution to improve healthcare delivery. 

We invite you to participate in this congress and discussion forum. Together we can focus on meaningful change to drive Australia’s health system forwards. This isn’t just another conference, it’s a mission to get the right test in front of the right patient at the right time. 

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Predict. Prevent. Personalise 

Hans Erik Henriksen, Vice President for QUMEA, Denmark

Senior healthcare and health-technology leader with more than 30 years’ experience driving system-level change through digital innovation. As former CEO of Healthcare DENMARK, he played a central role in promoting and scaling Danish healthcare solutions internationally, supporting a national strategy that prioritised prevention, digital health, and home-based care. Across executive roles spanning primary care, hospitals, home-based chronic care and national public–private partnerships, Hans Erik brings practical insights into how technology, policy and investment can combine to deliver better outcomes for patients, clinicians and health systems.

PANEL SPEAKERS

Predict. Prevent. Personalise: “from ideas to action – where is it done well, what can we learn, and how do we scale?” 

Tiffany Boughtwood, Australian Health Genomics Commissioner, leading Genomics Australia

Providing advice to Government based on broad engagement with the genomics sector and community. Tiffany has 30 years’ experience in molecular biology and management: leading academic and diagnostic genomic programs; collaborating internationally in genomic research; and consulting in health genomic implementation.

Dr Kean- Seng Lim, General Practitioner, Medical Advisor, Co-Founder and Innovator

Across 30+ years as a GP, Dr Lim has found innovative ways to meet evolving healthcare challenges and patient needs. Passionate about connecting information to meaningful outcomes Dr Lim is Chief Medical Advisor for health informatics company Pen CS, and co-founder of CareMonitor - allowing healthcare teams to deliver high-quality care where and when it’s needed.

Dr Steven Lu, General Practitioner, Co-founder & Chief Medical Officer of Everlab

With over 15 years of clinical experience spanning intensive care, cardiothoracic surgery, and general practice, Steven has built his career around a simple conviction: healthcare should prevent disease, not just respond to it. Through longitudinal data, advanced diagnostics, and doctor-led interpretation, Steven and his team are building the infrastructure for proactive care that anticipates health risks years before symptoms emerge.

Innovation In Motion: “Universal vs Uniform healthcare – supporting a diverse population with a diversity of solutions”

Dr Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

A general practitioner (GP), health economist and health services researcher, Michael combines clinical practice with strategic appointments and academic research analysing the effects of health policy on the quality and performance of primary care. In addition to leading RACGP, Michael is Associate Professor at the UNSW International Centre for Future Health Systems and maintains his clinical practice

Bob Partridge, Operations Manager, Regional Laboratories, Pathology Queensland

With extensive experience working in regional laboratories in differing capacities during his 41-year career as a Medical Scientist and Pathology Services Manager, Bob is focussed on innovative and cost effective patient focused solutions to bring timely and equitable health services.

Zoë Milgrom, Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer, Eugene

A certified Genetic counsellor, Zoë spent over a decade working within the public and private health systems, before founding Eugene with a goal to increase genetic awareness and provide guidance and support, and testing that is relevant and ethical. Zoë is passionate about developing a new client centred model of healthcare that empowers individuals to make proactive and informed healthcare choices.

Value Fountain: “how do we measure (and value) what really matters”

Prof Erwin Loh, President of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators

Professor Erwin Loh is the current President of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, the specialty medical college for medical leaders, and Director of Medical Services at Peninsula Private Hospital. A recognised leader in health ethics, Prof Loh is a member of the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) of the NHMRC, and a member of the AHEC AI Working Group, holds adjunct professorships at University of Melbourne, Macquarie University and Monash University and is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists

A/Prof Bonny Parkinson, Associate Professor in Health Economics at Macquarie University

Interim Deputy Director at the Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, A/Prof Parkinson’s expertise is in the field of health economics, especially regarding pharmaceutical policy, economic evaluation methodology, cancer, hearing, and precision medicine. She currently co-leads the health technology assessment stream, and has been involved in over 70 evaluations of submissions to PBAC, MSAC and NDSS since 2009.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE (updated as planning progresses)

WEDNESDAY 27th MAY
7:50-8:45 Industry-Sponsored Breakfast Roundtable
8:50-9:25 Welcome to Country and Opening Ceremony
With Remarks from VIP Speaker
9:25-10:10 Opening Keynote (P1)
The Value Fountain: Diagnostics informing patient journey
10:10-10:40 Morning Tea
10:40-11:55 Panel Discussion (D1)
How do we measure (and value) what really matters?
12:00-12:45 Case Study & Technology Showcase (C1)
12:50-13:45 Lunch (optional Industry Showcase)
13:45-14:30 Concurrent Workshop 1
Real World Evidence – what is the true value of knowing?		 Concurrent Workshop 2
Measuring what matters – impacts on decision making		 Concurrent Workshop 3
What does fit-for-purpose policy look like?
14:35-15:20 Plenary (P2)
Innovation in Motion: Meeting people where they are
15:20-15:45 Afternoon Tea
15:45-17:00 Panel Discussion (D2)
Universal vs Uniform healthcare – supporting diverse populations with a diversity of solutions
17:00-18:30 Networking Drinks
THURSDAY 28th MAY
7:50-8:45 Industry-Sponsored Breakfast Roundtable
8:50-9:35 Case Study & Technology Showcase (C2)
9:35-10:20 Concurrent Workshop 4
How to scale from pilot to mainstream 		Concurrent Workshop 5
Scope of practice – driving value at every touchpoint 		Concurrent Workshop 6
How do we get the right test to the right patient at the right time?
10:20-10:45 Morning Tea
10:45-11:30 Plenary (P3)
Predict. Prevent. Personalise: Re-imagining healthcare from reactive to proactive Hans Erik Henriksen (Denmark)
11:30-12:45 Panel Discussion (D3)
From idea to action – where is it done well, what can we learn, and how do we scale?
12:45-13:35 Lunch (optional Industry Showcase)
13:35-14:20 Case Study & Technology Showcase (C3)
13:35-14:20 Concurrent Workshop 7
Learning from best practice 		Concurrent Workshop 8
Wellness vs Healthcare – when to start the diagnostic journey 		Concurrent Workshop 9
Critical success factors – what does good look like?
14:05-15:20 Innovator Showcase and Horizon Scan
15:20-15:45 Afternoon Tea
15:45-16:30 Fireside Chat with VIPs and Closing Remarks

INVITED SPEAKERS

Justin Meredith

PTA: Co-Chair

Madeline O'Donoghue

PTA: Co-Chair

Chami Gunasinghe

PTA: Secretariat

Tony
Bhalla

Revvity: Committee Member

Nicola
Brown

QIAGEN: Committee Member

Richard Harrison

MGI: Committee Member

Paul
Maguire

Siemens: Committee Member

Annie Melkonian

Cepheid: Committee Member

Alex Stephenson-Brown

Stago: Committee Member

Brad
Walsh

Minomic: Committee Member
Check back regularly as speakers are announced

Plenary Speakers

"The technology revolution - have Australians been left behind?"

Prof Patrick Tan

Executive Director, Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE)
Senior Vice-Dean (Research) Duke-NUS Medical School, Chief Scientific Officer, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Patrick is an internationally renowned cancer researcher and pioneer for the possibilities of genomics in healthcare.

Access & Equity:  “Healthcare and the Postcode Lottery - Bridging the Gap for All Australians”

Dr Robert Grenfell

Chief Strategy & Regions Grampians Health
Rob has specialist expertise in health system analysis, strategic planning, governance, health risk management, and equity-focused care. He is passionate about access to healthcare in rural communities and bringing innovative systems to improve equity in regional settings.

Technology-driven solutions: saving lives, saving the planet, and solving problem

Dr Amandeep Hansra

Digital Health Advisor Australian Digital Health Agency & Co-Founder Australian Medical Angels
Fellow of the RACGP, Australian Digital Health Institute and Co-founder of Australian Medical Angels. Amandeep is a leader in digital health and innovation. A GP with 18 years clinical experience she is known for her work as a digital health consultant, entrepreneur, and investor.

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO
To invest or keep the status quo: why do we need diagnostics technology, sovereign capability and resilience?"

Co-ordinated by Sue MacLeman

 

TEAM A

Dean Whiting

Dr Gordon Reid MP

Prof Paul Griffin

Louise Talbot

Dr Amanda Cuss

Liz De Somer

Deidre Mackechnie

TEAM B

Justin Meredith

Jerome Laxale MP

Dr Robert Grenfell

Prof Rebecca Guy

Mary Warner

Dr Erin Evans

Krystal Barter

Panel Speakers

Access & Equity: "Tech-Centric Healthcare - A Cure for Our Health Crisis?"

Chair

Dr Andrew St John

Chair of IFCC Committee for Value Proposition in Laboratory Medicine
Andrew is a clinical biochemist with experience across Europe, Asia, and Australia including managing consumer information site Pathology Tests Explained. Andrew’s interests include point of care testing and how to determine economic value in medical testing.

Panellists:

Melissa McIntosh MP

Deputy Chair HoR Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care & Sport
A member of Federal Parliament since 2019, Melissa became the Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in May, 2022 and the Deputy Chair of the Hor Health Committee later the same year. She brings a voice of the Federal Opposition government and Health Committee to the panel discussion.

Prof Charlotte Hespe

Head of General Practice, Sydney School of Medicine UNDA
Specialist Clinical General Practitioner and Board Member for Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Charlotte is passionate about improving healthcare service delivery to all Australians, and brings the voice of a GP to the panel.

Dr Robert Grenfell

Chief Strategy & Regions Grampians Health
Specialist in health system analysis, strategic planning, governance, health risk management, and equity-focused care. Rob brings the voice of a clinician and general practitioner to the panel discussion.

A/Prof Philip Cunningham

OAM, COO Medical Research St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research
Philip has decades of experience working in the field of HIV with a passion for public health surveillance of at-risk populations. Philip brings the voice of a public pathology and specialist service provider to the panel discussion.

A/Prof Fei Sim

Curtin Medical Centre & National President and Chair Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
A practising pharmacist, pharmacist immuniser, and accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor Fei is committed to advancing the health of Australians through excellence in pharmacist practice and medicine safety through a multidisciplinary team care approach. Fei brings the voice of a pharmacist to the panel discussion.

Megan Campbell

Medical Advisor NACHHO Australia
Megan works with Aboriginal people and organisations to strengthen the cultural capability and responsiveness of the health system. Committed to evidence-informed health policy, health equity and sustainable practices, she brings the voice of a Public Health Physician to the panel discussion.

Ray Kelly

Researcher and PhD candidate, University of Melbourne
Ray is a Kamilaroi man with over 32 years’ experience in the health and sports industries, and an MRFF recipient for research into type 2 diabetes in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Ray brings the voice of applied research to the panel discussion.

Multi-omics and the technology revolution: “From Bench to Bedside: the winding path of Adoption of multi-omic Technology”

Professor David Thomas

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Omico
David has extensive training and expertise in medical oncology. As a clinician-scientist, his focus is on the application of genomic technologies to the understanding and management of cancer, particularly sarcoma. David brings the voice of a clinician and researcher to the panel discussion.

Dr Jane Tiller

Ethical, Legal & Social Advisor Monash University
A lawyer, genetic counsellor, and public health researcher, Jane has a keen interest in the regulatory and ethical aspects of genomics. Currently championing for removal of insurance discrimination risk for recipients of genetic tests, Jane brings the voice of a lawyer and ethicist to the panel.

Dr Kym Mina

Director Genomics, Healius Pathology
Having worked in both public and private laboratory practice and in academia, across multiple jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand, Kym is interested in the safe and clinically appropriate translation of genomic technologies to all fields of medical care and brings the voice of a genetic pathologist to the panel discussion.

Prof Stephen Fox

Director Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Stephen has developed and implemented novel molecular cancer testing from research to diagnostic laboratories, with experience and influence in health policy and testing guidelines in AU and the UK. Peter brings the voice of a genomic specialist to the panel discussion.

Neil Everest

Senior Medical Advisor, Office of Health Technology Assessment
After spending over 10 year in paediatric medicine Neil moved into the Department of Health – starting with the TGA in premarket medicines authorisation before moving into the office of health technology assessment. Neil brings his wealth of experience in HTA processes to the panel discussion.

Enzo Ranieri

GenSCAN Deputy Chair, Principle Scientist, Head of NSW Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program
Having worked in genetic and molecular pathology research at SA Pathology identifying new biomarkers in different pathologies, Enzo leads public health screening initiatives for pre-symptomatic detection of diseases to enable early clinical intervention and targeted treatment. Enzo brings the voice of newborn screening expert to the panel discussion.

Tackling global challenges: "Shifting the paradigm: 'Pathology a cost or a vital investment?' - overcoming the barriers of new technology adoption"

A/Prof Amith Shetty

Clinical Director System Sustainability & Performance, NSW Ministry of Health
A distinguished healthcare administrator, clinician and informatician, Amith manages health service delivery, healthcare quality and safety, models of care design, value creation and evaluation through innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. Amith brings the voice of clinician strategist to the panel.

Professor Louise Cullen

Pre-Eminent Staff Specialist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
A clinical trialist and outcomes researcher in acute diseases, Louise is involved in the translation of research by clinical redesign and innovation. She investigates methods to use medications and other resources in the ED wisely. Louise brings a voice of clinician and researcher to the panel discussion.

Dr Colman Taylor

Chief Vision Officer and Founder HTANALYSTS
Colman is a healthcare reimbursement and impact expert with a background working across government, industry and academia. Colman has over a decade of experience in healthcare innovation and brings the voice of a health economist to the panel discussion.

Professor Branwen Morgan

Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance Lead, CSIRO
A career that bridges academic organisations, publicly listed companies, government, and NGOs in the UK and Australia, across communications, project management, and Director roles. Branwen holds broad biomedical knowledge, digital understanding, and has a strong focus on AMR. Branwen brings a voice of strategist to the panel.

Martin Canova

Executive Director Strategy & Transformation, NSW Health
Martin has more than 20 years’ health experience as a clinician, healthcare consultant and health manager in both government and private organisations in Australia. He leads strategic planning and capital infrastructure redevelopment as well Statewide Point of Care Testing and Genomics services. Martin brings a voice of local government to the panel discussion.

Jo Taranto

Managing Director, Good for the Hood
Jo leads sustainable education initiatives with community, local government, and industry to inspire behaviour change towards sustainability goals. Passionate about inspiring ordinary people to create extraordinary change, Jo brings a voice of circular economy expert to the panel.

 

WORKSHOP SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

Access & Equity:

Solutions for all, including indigenous, rural, and hard to reach communities

A/Prof Philip Cunningham

Megan Campbell

Expanding Access to Pathology Services: Embracing Innovations in Healthcare Delivery

Prof Charlotte Hespe

A/Prof Fei Sim

Dr Andrew St John

Keeping Patients Out of the Hospital: Arresting cascading health conditions

A/Prof Amith Shetty

Dr Robert Grenfell

Ray Kelly

Multi-omics and the technology revolution:

Evolving the System: Funding and Infrastructure for the technology revolution

Dr Jane Tiller

Kym Mina

Enzo Ranieri

Up Close & Personal: deep dive into personalised care models

Prof David Thomas

Diana Nielson

Krystal Barter

Learning from Our Neighbours: where in the world is best-practice integration of multi-omics into healthcare?

Franz Pichler

Prof Stephen Fox

Tackling global challenges:

Patient-centric Technology: Putting Patients at the Heart of Innovation

Prof Louise Cullen

A/Prof Coman Taylor

Deidre Mackechnie

Addressing Global Priorities: From Defence and Antibiotic Stewardship to Green Economies

Prof Branwen Morgan

Prof Paul Griffin

Jo Taranto

Driving Efficiency: Automation and Digital Enablers

Madhuri Hegde

Adam Zembrzuski

Prof Amith Shetty

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

TUESDAY 12th MARCH
7:30-17:30 Registration Desk Open
7:45-8:45 Industry Sponsored Breakfast
8:45-9:15 Welcome to Country and Opening Ceremony
9:15-10:15 Opening Keynote
10:15 – 10:45 Morning Tea & Industry Exhibition
10:45 – 12:30 Concurrent Symposia 1 Concurrent Symposia 2
12:30 – 13:45 Lunch & Industry Exhibition Industry Sponsored Workshop
13:45 – 15:15 Concurrent Panel Discussion 1 Industry Sponsored Roundtable
15:15 – 15:45 Afternoon Tea & Industry Exhibition
15:45 – 17:00 Afternoon Symposium
17:00 – 19:00 Welcome Cocktail Networking & Industry Exhibition Sponsored By
WEDNESDAY 13th MARCH
7:30-15:45 Registration Desk Open
7:45-8:45 Industry Sponsored Breakfast
8:45-9:30 Day 2 Keynote
7:45-8:45 Industry Sponsored Breakfast
9:30-10:45 Concurrent Symposia 3 Concurrent Symposia 4
10:45 – 11:15 Morning Tea & Industry Exhibition
11:15 – 12:45 Concurrent Panel Discussion 3 Industry Sponsored Roundtable
12:45 – 13:45 Lunch & Industry Exhibition Industry Sponsored Workshop
13:45 – 15:15 Panel Discussion and Forum
15:15 – 15:45 Afternoon Tea & Industry Exhibition
15:45 – 16:45 Afternoon Symposium
16:45 – 17:15 Closing Remarks
18:30 – 22:00 Gala Dinner Sponsored By
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