The Spotlight on Hepatitis B is an annual workforce development initiative coordinated by the Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance (VHBA).
Spotlight on hepatitis B aims to improve the treatment, management and care of people living with chronic hepatitis B.
After the 2022 spotlight focusing to the need for re-engagement in light of pandemic disruptions to health services, this year's theme aligns with the global theme of the World Hepatitis Day "We are not waiting: innovations for hepatitis B free Victoria"
Who should attend?
These webinars are tailored to the education and training needs of:
- People working with communities affected by hepatitis B
- Health workers, midwives, community workers, clinicians
- Policy makers and researchers
- People living with hepatitis B and not working in these settings are warmly encouraged to attend.
Who is the VHBA?
The Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance (VHBA) is an independent, multi-disciplinary community of practice that aims to build momentum behind the Victorian response to hepatitis B. VHBA formed in 2008. We consist of both individual members and organisational representatives, including multicultural and Indigenous health and social services, clinical service providers, researchers, community health services and individuals with an interest in hepatitis B. The multi-disciplinary nature of VHBA creates a unique opportunity for networking and exchange of information and expertise.
If you have any questions about this event, or would like to become a member of VHBA, please email: [email protected]
Presenters
MC - Dr Jack Wallace | Burnet Institute
Jack Wallace is a social researcher looking at the social, cultural and political impact of hepatitis B by investigating the lived experience of people with hepatitis B. He is a senior research officer at the Burnet Institute and, in spite of his advanced age, has an Early Career Fellowship from the NHMRC.
Gabrielle Bennett | St Vincent’s Hospital
Gabrielle Bennett (RN, RM, Grad. Dip. CHN, Grad. Dip. Women’s Health, MPH) is a Registered Nurse/Midwife with experience working in primary health care in the areas of drug use & blood borne viruses, refugee health, remote Aboriginal communities and women’s health. She has worked in policy, education and public health. She is currently the Victorian Viral Hepatitis Educator based at St Vincent’s Melbourne.
Jennifer MacLachlan | The Doherty Institute
Jennifer MacLachlan is the senior epidemiologist for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis at The Doherty Institute. Her work focuses on the innovative utilisation and analysis of publicly available datasets to inform epidemiology and public health action, and she currently leads the National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project.
Elizabeth Birbilis | Department of Health and Human Services
Elizabeth Birbilis is a senior policy officer, with a lead on viral hepatitis, within the Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis team in the Public Health Division at the Victorian Department of Health. She has held this position for 6 years and has worked for the department for 27 years in various policy roles across public health.
Dr. Nicole Allard |The Doherty Institute & cohealth
Dr. Nicole Allard is a post-doctoral researcher and medical epidemiologist at VIDRL and a general practitioner and public health lead at cohealth. She has a special interest in hepatitis B treatment and COVID-19 care in primary care.
Other Speakers include:
- Benjamin Cowie, Piergiorgio Moro, Nafisa Yussf - Doherty Institute
- Leearna Earwicker – Gippsland Region Public Health Unit
- David Carter – Health & Law Project, University of Technology Sydney
- Thomas Tu – Westmead Insitute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney
- A person with lived experience of chronic hepatitis B
Location: Woodward Conference Centre, Level 10 185 Pelham St, Carlton VIC 3053
Refreshments: Tea, coffee, morning tea and lunch are provided.
Attendees will be provided with a certificate of attendance.