Day 1 – Main Program TIMA Global Forum 2025
TIME
08:00am – 08:30am
Opening Ceremony/Welcome
08:30am – 10:00am
Opening Plenary – Breaking the Cycle of Health Inequality
Explore systemic barriers contributing to health inequality and discover actionable strategies to promote equity in healthcare delivery. Through interdisciplinary discussions, participants will gain insights into addressing social determinants of health, reducing disparities in access and outcomes, and fostering inclusive care models that prioritise vulnerable populations.
If transformative change at both individual and systemic levels is close to your heart, this session is ideal for you. We look forward to advancing knowledge and fostering a shared commitment to building healthcare systems defined by fairness and accessibility.
Presenters:
- Dr Chin Lon Lin, CEO, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan 林俊龍執行長
- Dr Fiona Hinchliffe, Executive Director, Health Integration & Community Services, Mater Health
- Ms Karyn Walsh, CEO Micah Projects
- Ms Brooke Hutchison, Metro South Health’s Health Equity & Access Team (HEAT) Lead
Dr Chin Lon Lin, MD 林俊龍執行長
Chief Convener, Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA);
CEO, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
Dr. Chin Lon Lin has been the CEO of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation since 2008. Upon graduation from the College of Medicine, National Taiwan University in 1968, he served as a primary physician in the Chinese army from 1968–69. He then began his residency in internal medicine at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 1969–70 and went on to rotate as an intern at the Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn and Queens from 1970–71. He finished his residency in internal medicine training in Brooklyn from 1971-74. Then, he became a fellow in cardiology in the same hospital from 1974-76 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York in 1984. After his fellowship, Dr. Lin became an instructor in medicine at SUNY Stony Brook for a year.
In 1977, he began as an attending physician at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center, and continued for eighteen years. His next endeavor led him to Vice President of the Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan. While serving as Vice President, Dr. Lin became CEO for the Tzu Chi International Medical Association in 1998. Besides his medical expertise, Dr. Lin also has published over fifty articles on topics in medicine.
Dr Fiona Hinchliffe
Executive Director
Health Integration & Community Services, Mater Health
As the Executive Director of Health Integration and Community Services, Fiona is responsible for the strategic leadership of Mater’s Refugee Health Services, the Mater at Home and Hospital in the Home programs, Allied Health, Dietetics and Food Services, and our hospital and community pharmacy services. Fiona also supports Mater’s Reconciliation Action Plan manager in leading Mater on its Reconciliation journey.
As a speech pathologist, Fiona worked at Princess Alexandra Hospital where she specialised in treating communication and swallowing disorders following acquired brain injury. This led to her completing her PhD in the area of psycho-linguistic disorders following traumatic brain injury and several years as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Queensland.
In 2007 Fiona joined Mater as director of the speech pathology team and later became the director of Mater at Home, where she developed insight into the need for and benefit of high-value, accessible health care along the continuum of care.
Fiona provides mission-centred leadership for the development and sustainability of Mater’s services that offer contemporary, innovative and connected healthcare solutions inside and outside of hospital walls. With a particular focus on meeting the needs of those most vulnerable, Fiona brings a strong commitment to fulfilling Mater’s vision of empowering community members to live better lives through improved health and wellbeing.
Ms Karyn Walsh
CEO
Micah Projects
Karyn Walsh has worked in the not-for-profit sector addressing the homeless since 1978. During this time, Karyn has worked with many groups to create organisations and services to respond to the local circumstances of people experiencing homelessness and the economic and social systems which create homelessness in the first place. This has involved work across many population groups such as young people, young pregnant and parenting women, women and children escaping domestic violence, individuals, couples and families living on the streets, in cars, parks and motels. In recognising our current housing crisis across all communities in Australia Karyn is particularly interested in how we create a more equitable and inclusive housing system that is affordable, has security of tenure and when needed embedded services and healthcare tailored to the needs of tenants. Karyn has advocated for Housing First and Supportive Housing to form an integral part of our housing system. Karyn is the CEO of Micah Projects which provides a range of services and is the backbone organisation for Brisbane Zero; and an inaugural member and former Chair of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness.
Ms Brooke Hutchison
Metro South Health’s Health Equity & Access Team (HEAT) Manager
Brooke is a Social Worker with postgraduate qualifications in Tertiary Teaching and Health Management. Having practised in health for over 20 years in both rural and remote and tertiary hospitals, she has transitioned from roles that focus on individual capacity building to a broader community and system-level approaches. Brooke is passionate about health equity and improving health outcomes through system change.
She is currently the Manager of the Health Equity and Access Team in Metro South Health,
Queensland. This team focuses on improving health services and health outcomes for people with disabilities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
10:00am – 10:30am
Morning Tea Break
10:30am – 12:30pm
10:30am – 12:30pm
Five Parallel Sessions
Panel Discussion: Holistic Approach to Promote Health Equity – Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations
This panel discussion explores strategies to advance health equity through a holistic approach, focusing on safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable populations, including refugees and multicultural communities.
Brother Faisal Hu will share insights from his work with Syrian refugee support in Turkey. Dr Foo Seay Liang will share how Tzu Chi Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur supports refugees in the forms of medical, education and humanitarian aid. The Health Integration Manager from Mater Refugee & Multicultural Health will also share their insights in creating inclusive healthcare systems that meet the diverse needs of refugee and multicultural populations.
Ms. Donata Sackey, Director of Mater Refugee Health, will be the panel moderator, guiding our discussion toward collaborative solutions and recommendations for promoting health equity.
Join this session to discover actionable strategies for both clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals and volunteers to reduce disparities, improve access to care, and empower vulnerable populations.
Presenters & Moderator:
- Syrian Refugee Support in Turkey – Mr. Faisal Hu Director of Tzu Chi Foundation Turkey 胡光中師兄
-
Ms Erika Jung – Health Integration Manager, Mater Refugee & Multicultural health, Senior Social Worker, Multicultural Health Coordination Program, Mater Health
- Aid to Refugees in South-East Asia, Tzu Chi Foundation representative
- Health Integration Manager, Mater Refugee & Multicultural Health Representative
Moderator: Ms Donata Sackey, Director of Mater Refugee Health
Mr Faisal Hu 胡光中師兄
Director of Tzu Chi Foundation Turkey
Syrian Refugee Support, Turkey
Mr. Faisal Hu is the director of the Tzu Chi Foundation in Turkey and a prominent humanitarian leader. Originally from Taiwan, he has been living in Turkey for over 20 years and has dedicated his efforts to serving disadvantaged communities, particularly Syrian refugees.
Key Contributions include:
1. Humanitarian Aid to Refugees: Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Faisal Hu has been deeply involved in providing support to displaced families in Turkey. He has organised countless aid distributions, including food, clothing, and other essential items.
2. Education Initiatives: Recognising the importance of education for refugee children, he was instrumental in founding the El Menahil International School in Istanbul in 2015. The school has provided educational opportunities to thousands of Syrian refugee children who were previously unable to access formal education.
3. Healthcare and Relief Efforts: Faisal Hu has overseen the establishment of healthcare services to support refugee families, ensuring they have access to medical care. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023, he led the Tzu Chi Foundation’s response, coordinating with local and international partners to deliver vital aid, including food, blankets, and shelter materials.
4. Interfaith Collaboration: As a Muslim volunteer working within a Buddhist organisation, Mr. Hu has demonstrated a commitment to fostering interfaith harmony. His work benefits diverse communities, helping bridge gaps between different cultural and religious groups in Turkey.
Faisal Hu embodies the Tzu Chi Foundation’s values of compassion, selflessness, and action. He has played a critical role in expanding the foundation’s reach in Turkey, focusing on long-term solutions to humanitarian crises and promoting peace through service. His work has been recognised as a model of effective, inclusive humanitarian action, making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.
Ms Donata Sackey
Director, Mater Refugee and Multicultural Health Services
Chair, Refugee Health Partnership Advisory Group, Queensland
Donata is the Director of Mater Refugee and Multicultural Health Service and current Chair of the Refugee Health Partnership Advisory Group Qld. Over the past 17 years she has been based at Mater Hospital in Brisbane, prior to the Mater, Donata held positions in various human service organisations including over a decade with QPASTT (Qld Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma). Donata trained as a social worker, she has an interest in community development approaches and co-designing health policy, service planning and health resources to promote health equity and access. In her current role, Donata has led the implementation of integrated models of care, innovative partnerships with communities and contributed to policy redesign to improve health outcomes for people from refugee, multicultural and asylum seeker backgrounds.
Roundtable Discussion 1: Pain Management part I – Chronic Centralised Pain
This interdisciplinary session explores the complexities of chronic centralised pain. Delivered by a panel of experts, from the areas of neurosurgery, orthopedics and pain and rehabiltiation specialties, this round table discussion provides an understanding of centralised pain mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and multidisciplinary management strategies.
The session will be moderated by a Palliative Care Specialist, who will guide discussions on balancing effective pain control with quality of life considerations.
This session is ideal for healthcare professionals involved in pain management, including medical specialists, dentists, allied health practitioners, and general practitioners.
Presenters:
- A/Prof. Ying-Chao Lin, Neurosurgeon, Department Head of the Neuro-medical Centre of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital 台中慈濟醫院神經外科 林英超主任
- Dr Nicholas Aitcheson, Pain & Rehabilitation Specialist, Director Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre
- A/Prof. Dr Jui-Teng Chien, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Superintendent of Douliou Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan 斗六慈濟醫院 簡瑞騰院長 (自律神經 刎頸之愛)
Moderator: Dr Jones Chen, Palliative Care Specialist, Mater Hospital
A/Prof. Ying-Chao Lin MD.,PhD.,IFAANS 林英超主任
Neurosurgeon, Department Head of the Neuro-medical Centre of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Dr. Ying-Chao Lin is an associate professor at Tzu Chi University in Hualien and serves as the Medical Secretary of the President’s Office and Director of the Neurological Center at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital. After graduating from the National Defense Medical Center, Dr. Lin holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Chung Hsing University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health at China Medical University. He is a member of the Taiwan Society of Neurosurgery and the Taiwan Society of Neurospinal Surgery. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurosurgery.
Dr. Lin is an expert in brain tumour and cerebrovascular surgery, and an authority on spine surgery. He established the Spine Center at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, which combines the latest technology to perform precise and minimally invasive surgeries and obtained SNQ certification in 2024. In Taiwan, Dr. Lin is well-known for his microvascular decompression surgery for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. He has developed a unique technique to address trigeminal neuralgia caused by vascular compression and has successfully treated hundreds of patients from Taiwan and around the world for more than a decade. To this day, many patients still come to him for his professional treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr Nicholas Aitcheson
BPhty, MBBS, FAFRM (RACP), FFPMANZCA
Pain & Rehabilitation Specialist
Director of Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre
Adjunct Lecturer, University of Queensland
Dr. Nicholas Aitcheson is a dual-qualified Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine Specialist, serving as the Director of the Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre in Brisbane, Queensland. Before pursuing medicine, he had a background in chronic pain and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He holds degrees including a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty), and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). He is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FAFRM) under the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), and a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FFPMANZCA).
His clinical interests encompass spinal injury rehabilitation, social prescribing, and the management of polypharmacy. His research focuses on areas such as pressure injuries in spinal cord injury, chronic chest pain, social education groups for social integration, and the use of low-dose naltrexone in treating chronic pain. In addition to his clinical and research roles, Dr. Aitcheson is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland and a member of the Research Engagement Council at the Hopkins Research Centre for Rehabilitation and Resilience in Brisbane.
Dr. Aitcheson regularly present and chair sessions at Pain-related conferences and seminars.
A/Prof. Jui-Teng Chien, MD, PhD 簡瑞騰院長
Superintendent, Douliou Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Deputy Superintendent, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialise in: Spinal deformity correction surgery (Kyphosis, Scoliosis); Cervical spine surgery, Joint reconstruction surgery; Correction of fracture and trauma sequelae
Dr. Chien is the superintendent of Douliou Tzu Chi Hospital and the associate professor in Tzu Chi University. As a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, he has treated hundreds of patients with severe spine and joint deformities related to ankylosing spondylitis. In recent years, he has been focusing on autonomic dysfunction caused by cervical spine degeneration, also known as Barre-Lieou syndrome or Sympathetic cervical spondylosis.
He advocates the concept of “Devils in the neck”(百病之源在頸椎), meaning that the cervical spine pathology could be the source of various conditions like headache, vertigo, chest pain/tightness, palpitation, blurred vision, bowel/bladder disorders; or chronic/non-specific unexplained sufferings like toothache, temporomandibular pain, orofacial pain, etc. He also has developed an evaluation system and treatment protocol for these groups of miserable patients frequently neglected, misdiagnosed, or even mistreated.
His ultimate goal is to help patients, their families, physicians of all specialties, or paramedics as well as the society gain an accurate understanding of “spine as a whole”(牽一頸而動全身), and eliminate the mindset of “treating the symptoms, not the cause”(頭痛醫頭，腳痛醫腳).
Dr Jones Chen
Palliative Care Specialist, Mater Hospital Brisbane
Dr Jones Chen is a palliative medicine specialist at Mater Hospital Brisbane. He graduated from the University of New South Wales. He worked in general practice for several years and undertook further training in palliative care. He is passionate about palliative care in aged care.
Roundtable Discussion 2: Bariatric Care and Implications
This roundtable discussion focuses on the assessment and management of bariatric patients, with a particular emphasis on the science of obesity, weight stigma, social experiences, and cultural factors in weight management. Discussions of childhood obesity in Taiwan and Honduras, severe obesity in adult populations in Australia and exploring the role of socio-cultural and behavioral influences on weight management are the highlights of the session. The session will integrate clinical perspectives with psychosocial insights, aiming to provide a holistic understanding of obesity in diverse populations.
The discussion will highlight obesity as a multifactorial condition, influenced by medical, psychosocial, and cultural aspects. Topics include:
- The science behind obesity and its current management
- Weight stigma and its impact on healthcare experiences
- Cultural norms and food accessibility affecting obesity
- Exercise and weight management strategies: motivations and barriers
- The art of language in delivering care to individuals living with obesity
Presenters:
- Dr Zanab Malik, Specialist in Special Needs Dentistry, ANZASND President;
- A/Prof Kai-Wei Katherine Wang, Adjunct Associate Professor in Department of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing & Health Sciences
-
Dr Heena Akbar, Senior Lecturer, Public Health & First Nations Health, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Behavioural Science, the University of Queensland
Moderator: A/Prof. Kai-Wei Katherine Wang, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Dr Zanab Malik
BDS, DClinDent(SND), FRACDS(GDP), MRACDS(SND), DipDemCare, FiADH, FICD
Specialist in Special Needs Dentistry
ANZASND Academy President
Zanab is a registered dental specialist in Special Needs Dentistry working predominantly in the public sector at Campbelltown Hospital and private practice at the Central Coast in NSW. With extensive clinical experience across hospital, private, university, and community clinic settings, Zanab is a proficient clinician and advocates for the highest quality of care regardless of complexity for all vulnerable patients.
Zanab enjoys teaching and sharing her expertise through mentoring and guiding general dentists, oral health therapists, and the multidisciplinary healthcare team in the fundamentals of special needs dentistry practice. She is an honorary affiliate academic with The University of Sydney, and has been an affiliate academic with The University of Newcastle, Australia between 2021 and 2023.
She has lectured extensively at both international and national conferences to diverse audiences including as a regular speaker with the Australian Dental Association and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS). She has been an examiner for the Primary Dental Sciences examination with RACDS since 2023. Zanab is currently in her final year of a PhD in the field of bariatric dentistry and has published widely in prestigious national and international journals. She has received several accolades for both her research and clinical practice, including innovative approaches to improving access to special needs dentistry.
Zanab is the current President of the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Special Needs Dentistry, the current secretary of the RACDS NSW/ACT regional committee, and an active member of the Australian Society of Special Care in Dentistry. She has attained Fellowship with the International Association of Disability and Oral Health, the International College of Dentists, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
A/Prof. Kai-Wei Katherine Wang
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Dr. Kai-Wei Katherine Wang is an esteemed nursing academic and researcher with extensive experience in critical care, paediatric nursing, and family nursing. She holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, where she also completed her undergraduate and honours degrees in nursing.
Dr. Wang has held significant academic positions, including Associate Professor at the National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, where she also served as Director of International Postgraduate Programs. She was previously an Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Nursing at Mackay Medical College and an Assistant Professor at National Yang-Ming University. Her clinical experience spans multiple hospitals in Australia, specializing in paediatric intensive care, general ICU, and medical-surgical nursing.
With a strong research background, Dr. Wang has led multiple funded projects focusing on home care for chronically ill children and their families, parental stress, and paediatric nursing. She has published extensively in international peer-reviewed journals on topics including family caregiving, paediatric healthcare, and qualitative nursing research methodologies.
Her work has been recognized through multiple awards for excellence in teaching and contributions to nursing education, and she continues to be actively involved in advancing nursing education and research at an international level.
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Garden Lunch
2:00pm – 4:00pm
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Five Parallel Sessions
Panel Discussion: Technological Advancement in Medicine & Dentistry
3D scanning, modelling, and printing technologies, with applications in the creation of medical and dental devices, as well as the biofabrication of bone, cartilage, and human tissues are covered in this panel discussion, highlighting their applications and potential to transform patient outcomes in medicine and dentistry.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of biofabrication technologies, their clinical applications, and their current and future implications in this rapidly evolving field.
Presenters & Moderator:
- Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI) Representative;
- Centre for Orofacial Regeneration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (COR3) – Prof. Saso Ivanovski, Head of School, School of Dentistry, the University of Queensland;
Moderator: Dr Lydia See, Specialist in Special Needs Dentistry
Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI)
Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI) is the first institute of its kind – advancing knowledge and technology in 3D scanning, 3D modelling and 3D printing of medical devices, bone, cartilage and human tissue.
Opened in 2020, the Institute provides biomedical design and engineering services to clinicians using 3D modelling and 3D printing in adherence with the medical device regulatory framework. HBI specialises in personalised medical devices, including patient-matched anatomical models for surgical planning as well as custom-made medical devices.
We also collaborate with clinicians and academics to research, design, develop, and manufacture advanced education and training models, and other tools. Please use the forms below to place a referral or a support request.
Herston Biofabrication Institute will continue to transform how healthcare is provided by developing innovative and automated treatments as well as new interdisciplinary approaches to education and training for clinicians, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Source: https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/herston-biofabrication-institute/
Professor Sašo Ivanovski
Head of School, University of Queensland School of Dentistry i
Director, Centre for Orofacial Regeneration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (COR3)
Professor Sašo Ivanovski is the Head of School at the University of Queensland School of Dentistry in Brisbane, Australia and Director of the Centre for Orofacial Regeneration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (COR3). He combines this position with part-time specialist private practice in periodontics and surgical implant dentistry. He is a Senior Fellow of the International Team of Implantology (ITI) and currently sits on the Board of the Osteology Foundation and the ITI Research Committee. Sašo has also served as past federal president of the Australasian Osseointegration Society (AOS), the Australian Society of Periodontology (ASP), and the International Association for Dental Research (ANZ Division), as well as Chair of the Australian Dental Research Foundation Research Advisory Committee. He has published over 300 papers in the peer-reviewed literature and leads an internationally recognised research group with an interest in oro-dental regeneration and tissue engineering, as well as clinical periodontics and implant dentistry.
Dr. Lydia See
BDSc (Hon), MS (Geri Dent), DClinDent (SND)
GradCertHPEd, D Spec Care Dent RCSEd, FICD, FPFA
Dr. Lydia See is a specialist in special needs dentistry with a focus on providing accessible oral health care to individuals with unique challenges. Since graduating from dental school at UWA, Lydia discovered her passion was in special care dentistry, dental education, and community dentistry. She has since completed a Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education, UWA; Master of Science in Geriatric Dentistry, USC; Diploma in Special Care Dentistry, RCSEd; and a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Special Needs Dentistry), UQ.
Dr. Lydia’s clinical experience spans across diverse settings including public, hospital and private clinical practice. She has actively contributed to tertiary education and research. Dr. Lydia’s current special needs dentistry initiatives are in areas of service delivery, education and silver fluoride research. She also has extensive experience in dental volunteering and working with not-for-profit organisations. Outside of her professional commitments, Lydia enjoys exploring vegetarian culinary delights, music and theatre.
Roundtable Discussion 1: Pain Management part II – Orofacial Pain
This session delves into the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal patient care. Through expert presentations, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of orofacial pain, neuropathies/neuralgias (including trigeminal neuralgias), diagnostic and therapeutic approaches (from imaging to surgical interventions), the latest advancements in treatment strategies and an appreciation for the collaborative efforts required in managing complex pain conditions.
This session is tailored for healthcare professionals, including dentists, specialists, and allied health practitioners involved in managing orofacial pain.
Presenters:
- Dr. Sarah Chaw, Specialist in Oral Medicine;
- A/Prof. Ying-Chao Lin, Neurosurgeon, Dept Head of the Neuro-medical Centre of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital 台中慈濟醫院神經外科 林英超主任;
- Dr Raahib Dudhia, Oral & Maxillofacial Radiologist, Discipline Lead of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, the University of Queensland
Moderator: Dr Ben Gad, Oral Medicine Registrar
Dr Sarah Chaw
Specialist in Oral Medicine
BDSc (Hons) (UQ), DClinDent (Oral Med) (UQ), MRACDS (Oral Med), FOMAA
Dr Sarah Chaw is a registered specialist in Oral Medicine. She graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Dental Science with first-class honours and was a recipient of multiple academic and research awards. She then completed her specialist training in Oral Medicine with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry from The University of Queensland.
Sarah is a Fellow of the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia, and holds Membership in the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the Special Field Stream of Oral Medicine. She is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as a lecturer at The University of Queensland, and has published in and served as a reviewer for multiple peer-reviewed journals and textbooks.
Her clinical interests include orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders, mucosal and mucocutaneous disease, potentially malignant disorders, and oral oncology. Sarah practices the full range of Oral Medicine, which includes the diagnosis and management of Oral Diseases, Orofacial Pain, Temporomandibular Disorders and Dental Sleep Medicine.
Aside from her clinical roles working in private practice and Metro South Queensland Health, Sarah is grateful to be an active volunteer with the Tzu Chi Foundation since 2008, providing support to vulnerable people in our community.
A/Prof. Ying-Chao Lin, MD.,PhD.,IFAANS 林英超主任
Neurosurgeon, Department Head of the Neuro-medical Centre of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Dr. Ying-Chao Lin is an associate professor at Tzu Chi University in Hualien and serves as the Medical Secretary of the President’s Office and Director of the Neurological Center at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital. After graduating from the National Defense Medical Center, Dr. Lin holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Chung Hsing University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health at China Medical University. He is a member of both the Taiwan Society of Neurosurgery and the Taiwan Society of Neurospinal Surgery. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurosurgery.
Dr. Lin is an expert in brain tumour and cerebrovascular surgery, and an authority on spine surgery. He established the Spine Center at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, which combines the latest technology to perform precise and minimally invasive surgeries and obtained SNQ certification in 2024. In Taiwan, Dr. Lin is well-known for his microvascular decompression surgery for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. He has developed a unique technique to address trigeminal neuralgia caused by vascular compression and has successfully treated hundreds of patients from Taiwan and around the world for more than a decade. To this day, many patients still come to him for his professional treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr Raahib Dudhia
Oral & Maxillofacial Radiologist
Discipline Lead of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, the University of Queensland
Dr Raahib Dudhia is a registered specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist in Brisbane, Australia.
He completed his training in Dentistry in 2002 and Dento-maxillofacial Radiology in 2008 at The University of Queensland. Raahib has extensive experience in private radiology practices in Queensland and NSW, reporting conventional dental radiographs as well as CBCT, CT and MRI scans.
A regular on the lecture circuit, Raahib presents throughout Australia, NZ and SE Asia.
He is currently the discipline lead for the DMFR training program at UQ which is the only training program in Australia.
Raahib also operates a specialist dental imaging practice in Brisbane called Dental Diagnostics, which has a special focus on CBCT imaging. He also maintains working partnerships with a number of radiology practices in Queensland. His services include an online Dental Radiology Consultancy, providing practitioners with imaging reports and protocol advice, as well as providing a second opinion on scans taken in medical imaging practices.
Raahib has had access to CBCT since 2006, and has seen the maturation of CBCT technology into a highly valuable diagnostic tool in dentistry and medicine. His practice has a special focus on low dose imaging and imaging for endodontics and trauma. A bit of a tech lover, he likes to keep up to date with new machines and CBCT viewers as they become available.
Dr Ben Gad
Oral Medicine Registrar
Ben commenced his dental degree at the University of Sydney in 2014. Following graduation, he moved to Brisbane where he was employed as a Dental Officer in the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps. In 2021, Ben deployed to Afghanistan where he provided dental care to NATO personnel and Afghan locals at the military hospital located at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Ben commenced his postgraduate specialist training in oral medicine at the University of Queensland in 2023 under the supervision of Dr Maryam Jessri and Dr Sarah Chaw. Ben has a special interest in orofacial pain including emerging research on the application of selective androgen receptor agonists in the management of patients with temporomandibular disorders.
Roundtable Discussion 2: Behavioural Support – Trauma Informed Care
Explore trauma-informed care as a framework for delivering compassionate and effective behavioral support. Expert-led discussions will delve into the principles of trauma-informed practice and its application across dentistry, psychology, and broader healthcare systems.
Perfect for healthcare professionals aiming to strengthen their skills in behavioral support and trauma-informed approaches.
Presenters & Moderator:
- A/Prof. Mas Suryalis Ahmad, Specialist in Special Needs Dentistry, Malaysia;
- Dr Tania Herbert, Clinical Psychologist, Senior Leader in Clinical Governance, QPASTT
Moderator: Ms Meryl Jones, Nurse Unit Manager, Mater Integrated Refugee Health Service
A/ Prof. Mas Suryalis Ahmad
PhD (Melbourne), DClinDent Special Needs Dentistry (Melbourne),
MMedEd (Distinction) (Malaya), BDS (Malaya), SCTGR (Melbourne),
Dip Prof Translation (DBP-MTA), Dip Disability Studies (CAE),
MRACDS (SND) (Australia), MFD RCS (Ireland), MFDS RCPS (Glasgow)
MFDS RCS (England), Dip PCD RCS (Ireland),
FICD, FADI, FPFA, AM.
Associate Professor Dr. Mas Suryalis Ahmad graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, in 2006. She also earned a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and a Doctor of Philosophy in Special Needs Dentistry from the University of Melbourne, Australia (in 2016), and a Master of Medical Education from the University of Malaya (in 2023). Dr. Ahmad has obtained membership from the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (in Special Needs Dentistry specialist practice), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. She has received numerous awards for excellence in research, innovation, and personal endeavours, particularly in Special Care Dentistry, Gerodontology, and Dental Education. Currently, Dr. Ahmad is the President of the Malaysian Dental Association and the Deputy Dean (Student Affairs) at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. She teaches Special Care Dentistry at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across several universities in the Asian region. Additionally, she serves as Chair of the Education Committee of the International Association for Disability and Oral Health, President-Elect of the Malaysian Association of Disability and Oral Health, a member of the Malaysian Qualification Agency’s Specialist Dental Education Committee (Leader for Special Care Dentistry), and a member of the Malaysian Dental Council’s Dental Specialty Sub-Committee (Special Care Dentistry).
Dr Tania Herbert
Clinical Psychologist, Senior Leader in Clinical Governance, QPASTT (Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture & Trauma)
Dr Tania Herbert holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law. She has worked extensively in Africa, Asia and the Pacific with local services and international NGOs, providing direct support to torture and trauma survivors and undertaking research and systemic advocacy. Tania sits on the Editorial Advisory Board of the IRCT’s Torture Journal.
Tania is the Senior Leader in Clinical Governance at the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT). In her role, she oversees the clinical services provided to those who have experienced torture and trauma, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based psychological support, as well as leading the team of internal supervisors supporting staff in their work.
Ms Meryl Jones
Nurse Unit Manager
Mater Integrated Refugee Health Service
Ms. Meryl Jones serves as the Nurse Unit Manager of the Mater Integrated Refugee Health Service in Brisbane, Queensland. In this role, she collaborates closely with refugee and asylum seeker families to enhance their health and well-being.
Ms. Jones holds a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (MPHTM) and possesses extensive experience in refugee health and intercultural medical practice.
Her dedication to compassionate care has been recognised through several accolades. In 2019, she was awarded the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) Nurse of the Year. Additionally, the Mater Integrated Refugee Health Service, under her leadership, received an award for compassionate care in August 2022.
Ms. Jones actively contributes to the professional community by participating in webinars and forums focused on refugee health and related topics. For instance, she has been involved in discussions about accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for individuals from refugee backgrounds.
Through her leadership and commitment, Ms. Jones plays a pivotal role in delivering compassionate and comprehensive healthcare services to refugees and asylum seekers in the Brisbane area.
4:00pm – 4:30pm
Afternoon Tea
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Keynote Presentations
Integration of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine
This keynote session explores the convergence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern medical practices, highlighting innovative approaches to patient care. Esteemed speakers will offer insights into how integrative methodologies can enhance treatment outcomes and address contemporary healthcare challenges.
Ideal for healthcare professionals seeking to enrich their knowledge of holistic and integrative medical practices.
Presenters & Moderator:
Keynote Speakers:
Prof. Sheng-Tzung Tsai, Director of Department of Neurosurgery Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Prof. Tsung-Jung Ho, Vice Superintendent, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Moderator: Dr Conway Niu, paediatric registrar
Prof. Sheng-Tzung Tsai, MD, PhD
Director of Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan [蔡昇宗主任]
Neurosurgeon
Professor in Surgery, Tzu Chi University
Dr. Sheng-Tzung Tsai is the director of the Department of Neurosurgery at Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and a professor of the School of Medicine at Tzu Chi University. He is also the supervisor at the Taiwan Neurosurgical Society and Taiwan Society for Middle Youth Neurosurgery. Besides, he is responsible for convening interdisciplinary projects at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
Dr. Tsai specialises in Parkinson’s disease, neurodegenerative disease, deep brain stimulation, and spinal cord stimulation. He also devotes a lot of work to research, focusing on neural signal analysis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, spinal cord injury, and deep brain stimulation of Parkinson’s disease. He has published many papers in international journals and received subsidies from the National Science and Technology Council and Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
On the education side, Dr. Tsai has won the Teaching Excellence Award at Tzu Chi University, the Best Teaching Surgeon award, and the Best Teaching Resident award at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Dr. Tsai is passionate about the fields of clinical medicine, research, and education. He not only enhances the life quality of patients but also nurtures talents.
Prof. Tsung-Jung Ho, MD, PhD, MPH
Deputy Superintendent, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan
Professor of Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
Director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Director of Medical Research Institute of Tzu Chi University
Chinese Medicine Doctor (CMD)
Specialise in: Integration of Chinese & Modern Medicine (management of Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Neurological patients, oncology care); Acupuncture Medicine (sports injuries, pain, chronic non-healing wounds); Traditional Chinese Medicine (Chronic disease regulation, women’s health disorders)
Dr. Ho Tsung-Jung, Deputy Superintendent of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tzu Chi University, is a distinguished medical expert renowned in the fields of traditional medicine, integrated Chinese and Western medicine, sports medicine, and hospital management. Dr. Ho has demonstrated exceptional expertise in the management of emergency and severe conditions in traditional Chinese medicine, particularly during the global COVID-19 crisis. His team developed the herbal remedy “Jingsi Herbal Drink,” which not only saved countless lives in Taiwan but also successfully expanded to 43 countries, proving the critical role of traditional Chinese medicine in responding to major infectious diseases worldwide.
Dr. Ho has also achieved innovative results in the field of precision medicine integrating Chinese and Western practices, especially in the treatment of rare diseases and cancer, by combining gene therapy with traditional Chinese medicine techniques to provide cutting-edge treatment options. Moreover, he is the first traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to serve as a national team physician, successfully incorporating traditional Chinese medicine into national-level sports medical services, emphasising its practicality and effectiveness in the field of sports medicine.
His contributions have been widely recognised both domestically and internationally. In 2018, he received the Chinese Medicine Contribution Award from the National Federation of Chinese Medicine Practitioners Associations of the Republic of China, and in 2021, he was awarded the Chinese Medicine Dedication Award by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. Under the leadership of Dr. Shinn-Zong Lin, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital was awarded the Navigation Contribution Award by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for its outstanding performance in integrated Chinese and Western medical services.
Excelling in research and innovation, Dr. Ho has received the National Innovation Award for three consecutive years and led the traditional Chinese medicine team to achieve the SNQ National Quality Mark three times. His research published in the international journal Nature has further advanced the international influence of traditional Chinese medicine, showcasing the potential of integrating traditional Chinese medicine with modern scientific research. Dr. Ho Tsung-Jung’s career and achievements highlight the significant value and potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the global healthcare sector.
Dr Conway Niu
MBBS, PhD
Dr Conway Niu is a neonatal senior registrar in Perth, Western Australia, and currently works at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Children’s Hospital, and the Newborn Emergency Transport Service. He previously worked in the Scottish National Health Service and Shanghai, China.
He completed his medical training at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and his PhD at the University of Otago in New Zealand. His research focuses on intermittent hypoxia in neonates, as quantified by oximetry.
Conway has been a Tzu Chi volunteer since 2001. His first TIMA outreach volunteer experience was in 2007 after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, USA. He has since regularly volunteered with Tzu Chi’s Collegiate Youth Association and International Medical Association in Tzu Chi’s branches in China, New Zealand, and Australia.
6:00pm – 6:30pm
Predinner Drinks
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Dinner
Day 1 – Workshops
Traditional Chinese Medicine Workshop
Regain a Good Night’s Sleep with TCM & Acupuncture: Part I & II
Part I: Understanding Sleep Disruption and TCM Perspectives
- Health Consequences of Sleep Disruption
Explore the physical, mental, and cognitive impacts of poor sleep on overall health - Patterns of Sleep-Related Disorders
Gain insights into how TCM views and addresses various sleep challenges, including:
a. Troubles of falling asleep (sleep onset)
b. Frequent nighttime awakening (sleep maintenance)
c. Early morning awakening
d. Non-restorative sleep & circadian rhythm disorders
e. Hypersomnia, parasomnia and sleep fragmentation from chronic conditions - Additional Discussion
Delve into related conditions that could affect sleep quality, such as:
a. Sleep apnea
b. Teeth grinding (bruxism)
c. Peri-menopausal syndrome
d. Anxiety, stress and panic attacks
e. Cognitive health
Part II: TCM’s Unique Approach to Restorative Sleep
4. Six-Channel Analysis of TCM
a. Learn about TCM’s unique diagnostic framework for understanding sleep disorders, based on the six-channel theory.
5. Non-Medicated 6-in-1 Hexagon Protocol
a. Discover a non-medicated, holistic protocol that integrates acupuncture, herbal insights, brain-wave modulating, sleep monitoring & analysis, dietary adjustment and breathing patterns
6. Tung’s Acupuncture System Approach
a. A detailed exploration of eight special acupuncture points, renowned for addressing sleep issues.
7. Hands-On Practice
a. Live demonstrations of TCM techniques and acupuncture protocols.
b. Small group sessions with guided practice, assisted by experienced teaching assistants.
Presenters & Moderator:
Dr Michael Chung,
TCM, Canada
Moderator: Ms Yufan (Eva) Chou, TCM, Brisbane
Dr Michael Chung 鍾政哲醫師
Managing Director, Tzu Chi Clinic
R. TCMP (Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner)
In British Columbia: Dr. TCM (Registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Dr. Michael Chung received his B.Sc. in Pharmacy from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Tianjin TCM University in China. As a protégé of Dr. Wei-Chieh Young, Michael has inherited a unique style of acupuncture called Tung’s Extraordinary Acupuncture System (TEAS). He has studied with Dr. Young since 1990, and is among the renowned doctor’s most trusted students. Over the last 20+ years, he has not only used TEAS to great effect when treating patients but has also taught TEAS in countries all over the world, including Taiwan, Malaysia, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Canada.
Dr. Chung is passionate about advancing the professional education and practice of TCM in Canada, and his expertise and professional standing are well-recognised by industry authorities. Aside from being an instrumental part of Tzu Chi Clinic since its very beginning, he also founded the Canadian arm of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) in 2012, and has acted as its Convener since its inception. Going further back to 2001, he was appointed the Chief Examiner and Academic Consultant of the College of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CTCMA), the profession’s licencing authority in British Columbia.
Since then, he has played a significant role in establishing the TCM Licensing Examinations and the Mandatory Safety Courses for Herbology Practice, as well as the development of the Core Competencies for TCM Practice in Canada. He became an elected member of the CTCMA Board of Directors in January 2007, and later chaired the board in 2011. Between 2007-2010, he also served as an appointed member of the Expert Advisory Committee of Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD).
Professional Memberships:
- British Columbia Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners (ATCMA)
- Canadian Institute of Chinese Medicinal Research (CICMR)
- Research Associate, BC Cancer Agency (BCCA)
- Endocrine & Diabetes Expertise Committee, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS)
- Eye Acupuncture Expertise Committee, WFCMS
- Director, World Association of Tung’s Acupuncture (WATA)
TA (Practice Coach):
- Dr Scott Ling, Chinese Medicine Practitioner; Founder of Sustain Health (his Melbourne-based clinic), and SustainHealth Academy.
- Dr Reece Yeo, Integrative Chinese Medicine Practitioner; Functional Medicine Practitioner & Former Medical Doctor
- Mr John Deere, Founder Deare Acupuncture Clinic Southport; Senior Acupuncturist / Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Moderator: Ms Yufan (Eva) Zhou
Director of Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
Yufan Zhou graduated from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China in 2011, majoring in Acupuncture and Shanghan Lun under the tutorage of the eminent Professor Song, Junsheng. During this time, she was a member of Song’s research team for 4 years and participated in editing the published book, ‘Evidence-based Research of Prescriptions of Shang Han Lun’.
After migrating to Australia she studied Public Health which assisted her to have a broader view of Community Health and develop strategic management techniques in Public Health. She has used this knowledge to work at The Inclusive Health and Wellness Hub, an inclusive community clinic with Micah Projects.
She has been practising in Australia since 2012 and has been managing her own clinic since 2015.
Yufan joined AACMA in 2014, and had the opportunity to deliver a presentation on AACMAC 2020. She is eager to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for the development of the AAMCA board and the Chinese medicine community.
Decision-Making Considerations for Optimal Dental Restoration Outcomes: Part I & II
Description: Direct resin composites or indirect ceramics? This lecture and hands-on workshop delves into the clinical and technical parameters, indications, and decision-making processes for these key aesthetic treatment options. Gain evidence-based guidelines to deliver ethical, optimal outcomes for your patients.
Speaker: Dr Tony Rotondo
Moderator: Dr John Martin
Number of participants: 30 (max)
Learning Objectives
- Elucidating & structuring the decisional process leading to the choice of direct or indirect techniques to restore a smile: toward the ” additive composite” approach
- Elucidating & structuring the decisional process leading to the choice of direct or indirect techniques to restore a smile: toward the “ceramic & prep” approach
- Understand the basics of modern tooth preparation
- Learn to provisionalise anterior veneer
- Shade analysis
- Layering poly chromatic composite restorations
- Hiding the grey margins
- Importance of finishing and polishing procedures
Presenter:
Dr. Tony Rotondo, Specialist in Prosthodontics, Brisbane
Moderator: Dr John Martin, Specialist in Prosthodontics, Sydney
Dr. Tony Rotondo
Specialist in Prosthodontics, Brisbane
Prosthodontist, Lead All–on–4® Dental Surgeon and owner of Next Smile Australia Brisbane
Dr Tony Rotondo is a registered specialist in Prosthodontics with over 30 years of expertise. He was the first dental surgeon to bring the All-on-4® treatment to Queensland and has been placing dental implants since the early 2000s.
Dr Tony Rotondo has specific interests in dental aesthetics, dental implants, ceramic materials, and interdisciplinary dentistry. Dr Tony Rotondo is a product evaluator for dental companies and presents numerous continuing education programs nationally and internationally.
Some of his qualifications and professional memberships include:
- Bachelor’s Degree, University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Residency in Prosthodontics, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Lecturer for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, University of Queensland, and Griffith University, School of Dentistry
- Fellow of the International College of Dentists
- Founding member and chairman of the Australasian Osseointegration Society
- Former president of the Australian Society of Aesthetic Dentistry (QLD Branch)
- Former secretary of ANZAP (Australian Academy of Prosthodontists)
- Part of the DSD scientific board
- Silver member within the Style Italiano group
Dr John Martin
Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Fellow, Head & Neck Cancer Clinic, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (Comprehensive Cancer Centre), Sydney
John Martin is a specialist Prosthodontist who completed a fellowship in maxillofacial prosthodontics and dental oncology at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney. John loves all aspects of prosthodontics with a focus on providing complex dental and facial rehabilitation to patients following oncological resection, trauma, and severe dental disease.
John has dedicated much of his life to improving oral health in the community. He has regularly volunteered and coordinated volunteer projects both in Australia and overseas, including volunteering with TIMA in Queensland for the last 20 years. He is an active member of the ADA with service on both the Queensland and Federal ADA Councils.
John has a strong academic background as a former examiner for the RACDS primary exam, and an honorary associate lecturer at the University of Queensland. His focus is to bring a combined academic and technical excellence in patient outcomes to both the individual and the broader community through effective advocacy.