Topic: Sudden Vision loss

Dr Smita Agarwal is a senior comprehensive ophthalmologist. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Graduate Medicine, University of Wollongong and also lectures at the University of Sydney.

Smita specialises in cataract and refractive surgery and has special interest in corneal cross-linking for progressive Keratoconus, Glaucoma and age related macular degeneration. She has been instrumental in the setting up of Wollongong Refractive Laser Eye Institute, the only facility on the South Coast of NSW that offers laser vision correction procedures like SMILE, LASIK and PRK and boasts of the latest state of the art equipment.

Topic: Abdominal Colic

Dr Matthew Beck is a locally born, brought up and trained general surgeon who has completed specialist training in oncoplastic breast cancer and reconstructive surgery. He has a special interest in breast cancer surgery; melanoma and skin cancer surgery including local flap repairs; endocrine thyroid surgery and general surgery including laparoscopic surgery.

Dr Beck works exclusively in the Illawarra, operating at The Wollongong Hospital, Shellharbour Hospital and Wollongong Private Hospital.

Topic: Chest Pain Is it Angina?

Dr Shetty completed his cardiology training from the Wollongong, St George, Sutherland and Prince of Wales hospital network and his interventional fellowship at Prince of Wales Hospital. He has been working at Wollongong Hospital as Staff Specialist since 2010.

Dr Shetty’s areas of interest include adult cardiology including trans thoracic, trans oesophageal echocardiography, stress echocardiography, holter and ambulatory monitoring, coronary angiogram and coronary angioplasty and stenting. He has particular interest in bio absorbable stents and renal denervation.

Topic: Pre-Eclampsia

Dr Kothari is widely recognised as Australia’s leading gynaecologist to be accredited in Da Vinci Robotics and to perform successful robotic procedures. Dr Kothari has performed over 500 robotics surgeries treating

Endometriosis, Pelvic pain, Heavy painful bleeding, Pelvic organ prolapse, Large uterine fibroids, Ovarian cysts

Combining his passion for learning and robotic surgery, Dr Kothari teaches robotics courses to other surgeons. He also participates in educational training courses, working alongside one of the best surgeons from across the world to observe and learn the clinical best practices of robotic surgery

Urologic Emergencies

Dr Gendy undertook six years of Advanced Surgical Training for Urology across multiple high-volume units in NSW whilst also completing her Masters of Surgery Degree (MS) with a focus on Urology through the University of Sydney. In 2018, Dr Gendy was awarded the prestigious George Schnitzler Award for Registrar of the Year.

At the completion of her training, Dr Gendy was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). To further enhance her skills, Dr Gendy undertook an additional international Advanced Robotic and Laparoscopic Uro-oncology Fellowship in the United Kingdom.

Lung cancer screening

Dr Sarika Sundar is an Australia-based health professional.

Dr Sundar is trained as a Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Physician

Dr Sundar is an Interventional Pulmonology Fellow at Macquarie University Hospital.

Dr Sundar practices from a number of places.

Topic: Endocrine emergencies

Dr Dhanya Sanjeev is an Endocrinologist with an interest in diabetes. She trained at Prince of Wales Hospital, Blacktown Hospital, The Wollongong Hospital and is now accredited at Wollongong Private Hospital.

Areas of interest include diabetes, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary gland disease, bone disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

She is a diligent and compassionate endocrinologist offering an integrated approach to hormonal imbalances.

Dr Sanjeev says, "I have a strong desire to see my patients succeed in improving their health - whether it's improving their diabetes control or nailing their thyroid, osteoporosis, adrenal or pituitary disorder."

Topic: Demystifying a difficult patient

After completing his MBBS at Manipal University in India, he completed his residency training in Psychiatry in NIMHANS, Bangalore. He later obtained his Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Medicine and Doctor of Medicine where he was awarded a Silver Jubilee Award for the Best Outgoing Student of the Year.

Subsequently, he completed his Diplomate of National Board in Psychiatry and received the Certificate of Completion of Training from Specialist Training Authority (STA) of the Medical Royal Colleges (UK) in General Adult Psychiatry. He accomplished his post graduate training in Medical Education and in Health Service Research and Development at the University of Wollongong.

He was awarded International Distinguished Fellow of American Psychiatric Association for his significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and mental activities of social significance, and community involvement and clinical excellence.

Topic: Sports Trauma

Dr Sheraz Anjum is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with more than 15 years of local and international experience and a strong passion towards managing pain whilst preserving motion.

After completing his medical degree in 2002 and orthopaedic speciality training in 2010, Dr Anjum worked as orthopaedic surgeon performing foot and ankle, trauma and limb reconstruction surgery in the Middle East for 4 years. Whilst there, he worked alongside world leading orthopaedic surgeons gaining experience with the latest techniques in deformity correction. His interests are Minimally invasive (keyhole surgery) ankle replacement | Diabetic foot reconstruction surgery.

Topic: What is in my emergency bag and why

Prof Ivers is committed to justice and equity in delivery of health services and to research in health systems and prevention that improves lives of communities.

Prof Ivers is a general practice academic, who is an active clinician, working as a general practitioner in Aboriginal health and as a GP Visiting Medical Officer in Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

Prof Ivers also trained as a public health physician.

Dr Mitchelmore graduated from the University of Newcastle, UK in 1994. After her internship year, she attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar to complete a DPhil in epidemiology. She completed general practice vocational training in the UK and later worked in Bermuda in both general practice and occupational health.

Dr Mitchelmore is currently working 2 days per week in general practice, and also has the role of Medical Director for COORDINARE, the Southeast NSW Primary Health Care Network. Dr Mitchelmore is keen on personal fitness and tries to train for the occasional triathlon. She also enjoys music and is a member of the Wollongong Conservatorium Community Orchestra.

Topic: What we could have managed in the practice?

Dr Deady completed his medical degree at the University of Wollongong in 2014, having previously completed a physiotherapy degree at Sydney University in 2004. John has worked across a range of medical areas in the Illawarra, including general practice, emergency medicine, sports medicine and medical education. He’s also travelled extensively as a clinician, working as a solo doctor in remote areas such as King Island, South-west Western Australia and Hamilton Island.He is interested in all aspects of general practice and enjoys providing holistic care and developing long-standing relationships with individuals and families.

Dr Deady has a special interest in sports medicine. He currently works as a match day doctor with St George Illawarra Dragons NRL Club and the Wellington Phoenix A-League Club. In the past, he’s worked with Melbourne Storm, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Hull FC. He’s also worked at sporting events including the North Face 100 Ultra Marathon and the Tour de France.

Outside of work, Dr Deady enjoys travelling, keeping fit and spending time with his young family.

Topic: What is in my emergency bag and why

Since moving to Wollongong from New Zealand he has cemented his presence in the Wollongong community.

Dr Jalota’s special interests are undertaking emergency procedures, helping patients to quit smoking and with weight management.

Dr Jalota is currently a cluster leader for Central Illawarra and has a passion for continued learning and mentoring.

Topic: What is in my emergency bag and why

Dr Kent is originally from Devon in the UK. He has been a Doctor for over 20 years, having originally qualified from the University of Manchester Medical School in 2001. He has travelled widely and then worked in Darwin in 2003 before returning to Exeter in Devon to complete his GP specialist training. For the last 15 years Dr Kent has been working as a full time GP and moved to the Illawarra in January 2019.

Aside from Medical education Dr Kent has special interests in lifestyle/preventative medicine, travel, expedition and Infectious Disease Medicine, men’s Health, child and Adolescent Health, mental Health and sports Medicine.