2026 National Indigenous Closing the Gap Health Conference

Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson is a Jiman woman from Central West Queensland and Bundjalung woman from Northern New South Wales, with Anglo‑Celtic and German heritage. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on trauma, violence, and healing in Indigenous communities. Holding a BA from the University of Canberra and a PhD from Queensland University of Technology, she also completed Harvard University’s Program for Refugee Trauma in Global Mental Health. Her landmark book Trauma Trails – Recreating Songlines explores the transgenerational effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia and has become a cornerstone text in the field.

Professor Atkinson has been honored with numerous awards, including the Carrick Neville Bonner Award for curriculum innovation and the Fritz Redlich Memorial Award for Human Rights and Mental Health. In 2019, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her services to Indigenous communities, education, and mental health. As founder and patron of We Al‑li, she continues to lead culturally informed trauma‑integrated healing programs, empowering communities to reclaim resilience and wellbeing through Indigenous knowledge and practice.

Maree Marney, and is a proud Aboriginal woman from Nipaluna (Hobart), Lutruwitta (Tasmania). She has worked with Karadi Aboriginal Corporation for the past 8 years as part of the Integrated Team Care (ITC) health team, where she has held roles in Care Coordination and Outreach.

Maree is a Qualified Aboriginal Health Worker and is Accredited in Conduct Plat Audiometry, with a passion for supporting Aboriginal communities to access cultural safe healthcare and improve Health Outcomes.

Maree's Aspirations for the future include upskilling to an Aboriginal Health Practitioner and studying Practice Management.

Dr. Shellie Morris AO has dedicated 25 years to using music as a healing and learning tool. She emphasises the significance of individual voices and was honoured with the Officer of the Order of Australia for her contributions to the performing arts, Indigenous community, and not-for-profit organisations. Despite her recognition through various awards and accolades, including ARIA nominations and Australian of the Year, she primarily focuses on empowering and effecting change at the grassroots level in remote outback communities. Shellie’s remarkable talent extends to singing in more than 20 First Languages, including many considered dormant. In July she was elevated to the deputy CEO position in Uncle Jimmy Thumbs Up.

Jamie Newman, a proud Wiradjuri descendent has been the CEO of Orange Aboriginal Medical Service since 2005. He has previously held the positions of: Chairperson of the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW (AHMRC), Chairperson Bila Muuji Regional Aboriginal Health Service in Western NSW, Founding Board member of the Western Primary Health Network, Council Member of Charles Sturt University, Board Member of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and current Chairperson of Orange Local Aboriginal Lands Council . Jamie has over twenty five years extensive experience working with and for Aboriginal communities at both a Government and Non-Government level.

“Being Aboriginal is a reason to succeed, rather than an excuse not to”

Courtney Finch is a Clinical Nurse Consultant and Project Lead for the Deadly Feet Vascular Outreach Program at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. With more than 12 years of nursing experience within vascular surgery, Courtney is passionate about improving vascular health outcomes and delivering patient-centred care.

A proud mother raising two beautiful Wiradjuri girls and am passionate and committed to advancing culturally responsive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through her leadership of the Deadly Feet Program, she works collaboratively with communities and healthcare partners to provide education, screening, and early intervention services closer to home, improving access to specialist vascular care and supporting Queensland's Health Equity Strategy.

Courtney is passionate about partnering with consumers, strengthening community connections, and creating sustainable models of care that empower individuals to better navigate their health journey while reducing barriers to accessing healthcare services.

Dr. Jocelyn Jones is a proud Noongar woman from Western Australia and a leading advocate for Indigenous health and education. She is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University, where her work focuses on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through culturally safe research and practice. With a background in nursing and public health, Jocelyn has contributed to national projects addressing chronic disease, mental health, and the social determinants of wellbeing. Her scholarship emphasizes the importance of Indigenous leadership in shaping health policy and service delivery.

Beyond academia, Dr. Jones is deeply engaged in community advocacy and capacity building. She has worked extensively to strengthen Indigenous voices in health research, mentoring emerging Aboriginal scholars and collaborating with communities to ensure research reflects lived experience. Her leadership bridges clinical expertise, cultural knowledge, and grassroots advocacy, making her a respected figure in advancing equity and resilience across Indigenous health systems.

Felicia Djamirze is a qualified counsellor, award-winning businesswoman, and dedicated mental health advocate. As the founder and CEO of Neuro Vitality Pty Ltd and the Trauma Recovery Network, she is committed to championing the rights of women affected by trauma, violence, poverty, incarceration, and the justice system.

Djamirze is the author of the powerful true crime memoir Accessory, which offers a firsthand account of survival, post-traumatic growth, and rebuilding a life with purpose. She is a regular contributor to About Time Media and Women’s Agenda, using her platform to raise awareness of issues affecting individuals silenced by stigma, abuse, and discrimination.

Recognized as a trusted voice in the media and a sought-after public speaker, Djamirze has made significant contributions to women’s rights, trauma recovery, and justice reform. She spearheaded Australia’s first all-female, Indigenous-led nationwide study on trauma and adverse childhood experiences among individuals with a conviction history and developed the Growth-Focused Trauma Model—an innovative framework for practitioners working with complex trauma and PTSD.

Her work has a global reach, as she travels internationally to visit prisons, engage in research, and participate in cross-cultural knowledge sharing to advocate for trauma-informed reintegration and restorative justice practices.

With extensive experience supporting survivors of domestic and institutional violence, as well as criminalized and marginalized women, Djamirze remains committed to driving systemic change, challenging entrenched inequality, and empowering individuals to transform adversity into wisdom. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to recognize and share their unique potential in a meaningful and impactful way.

Dr. Stewart Sutherland is a proud Wiradjuri man from Wellington, New South Wales, and an Associate Professor at the Australian National University’s School of Medicine and Psychology. He serves as Chair of the Indigenous Health Framework and has worked for more than a decade in Indigenous health, focusing on identity, trauma, and mental health. His PhD research examined the relationship between reconciliation and the social and emotional wellbeing of the Stolen Generations, highlighting the impact of forced removals on Indigenous communities. Stewart’s scholarship has been influential in shaping approaches to Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), cultural health, and food sovereignty.

Beyond academia, Dr. Sutherland has extensive experience as a project manager in food, health, and SEWB initiatives, and has contributed to national conversations on reconciliation and Indigenous health policy. He has lectured across multiple disciplines, including nursing, veterinary science, and cultural competency, and continues to lead Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health education at ANU. His work bridges rigorous research with community advocacy, making him a respected voice in advancing Indigenous health equity and cultural safety.

Justine Cain has led Diabetes Australia as the Group Chief Executive Officer since 2021. Justine has held Senior Executive and Board roles with listed, privately owned, private equity backed and not-for-profit organisations in the health, human services and general insurance sectors. Justine is currently on the Board of UnitingCare Queensland, and was previously on the boards of Leap in!, the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and the Starlight Children’s Foundation Advisory Board for Queensland.

Justine’s expertise spans transformational leadership roles, strategy development and execution, customer-centric leadership, largescale operational delivery, government relations, advocacy and complex stakeholder management. Justine is committed to achieving equity in access to health services, population health improvement and judicious use of funding.

Justine holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science from the Australian National University. Justine has undertaken executive education at both Harvard and INSEAD and is a member of Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In June 2025, Justine’s leadership in the health sector was recognised by the Australian Financial Review Women in Leadership Awards with Justine being a finalist in the health services category. In November 2025, Justine was also recognised by The CEO Magazine Executive of the Year Awards 2025, receiving a Highly Commended accolade in the Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year category for her leadership of Diabetes Australia.

Dr Youngha Song is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, South Korea. He holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Seoul National University, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Sydney, Australia, and a PhD in population oral health from the University of Adelaide, Australia.

His research focuses on dentist–patient relationships, patient-centred dental care, oral health-related quality of life, social and economic determinants of oral health, and oral health policy and education. Through his academic, research and clinical experience in South Korea and Australia, Dr Song contributes to advancing preventive dentistry and improving public oral health.

Dr Vainess Mbuzi is an experienced nursing academic, researcher and registered nurse with over 40 years of experience across clinical practice, research and higher education. She is a Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. She holds a PhD and has extensive experience in clinical leadership, intensive care nursing, nursing education and research. Her research interests include Indigenous health, health equity, culturally safe healthcare and improving patient outcomes, with a particular focus on Indigenous peoples’ experiences of hospital care and heart health. Dr Mbuzi is committed to promoting safe, quality and patient-centred healthcare.

Dr Leena Panicker is an academic, researcher, and clinician with more than 34 years of nursing experience across Australia, Ireland, the Middle East, and India. Her professional career spans nursing education, clinical practice, research, and curriculum development, reflecting a strong commitment to evidence-based healthcare, professional excellence, and the advancement of nursing practice. A significant focus of her work is Indigenous health equity, an interest shaped by a decade of service within the Northern Territory health system. Her research explores healthcare rights, cultural safety, health equity, chronic disease management, healthy ageing, and qualitative research methodologies, with a particular emphasis on improving health outcomes for diverse and underserved

Vanessa Langenberg Research and Community Impact Team Lead, from the national not-for-profit Independent Living Assessment (iLA). Vanessa leads iLA’s work with unique communities, drawing on expertise in assistive technology (AT) and reablement, inclusive research and communications. She is passionate about collaborating with these communities to rethink and improve mainstream programs, ensuring benefits are returned. Vanessa’s national research with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, received the Assistive Technology Service Award 2024 from Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA)

Professor Shane Hearn is a direct descendant of the Whadjuk, Ballardong, Noongar people, and is the Associate Dean, First Nations Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University. Shane is a highly experienced leader in First Nations health, education, and community engagement. He brings over 25 years of expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating culturally safe programs, research initiatives, and policy frameworks across health, education, and not-for-profit sectors, with a focus on co-designed, inclusive approaches. Shane has led national-level campaigns, developed strategies for First Nations participation, and successfully guided multi-sector collaborations to deliver measurable outcomes for diverse communities.

Dr Raelene Ward is a proud Kunja woman from Cunnamulla, Queensland, and an accomplished nurse, academic, and researcher. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing, a Master of Health, and a PhD from the University of Southern Queensland, where her doctoral work focused on Aboriginal suicide. With extensive experience in both hospital and university settings, Dr Ward has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in the areas of mental health, suicide prevention, and remote health services.

Currently, Dr Ward serves as Knowledge Broker for First Nations Engagement at the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. She also contributes nationally as First Nations Director with the One Basin CRC and as a member of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s First Nations Leadership Group. Her leadership is widely recognised for bridging cultural knowledge with research and policy, ensuring that First Nations voices are central to resilience, wellbeing, and community development initiatives across Australia.

Baringa Barambah is a Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi woman, with connections to Wakka Wakka, Kamilaroi and Birri Gubba Country. She is a Songwoman of the Turrbal People and the Founder and Director of Yadeni Consulting, a 100% Aboriginal-owned business focused on cultural awareness, reconciliation, First Nations engagement and community collaboration. With extensive experience in finance, strategy and operations, Baringa is also a motivational speaker who promotes cultural understanding, respectful dialogue and stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. She holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and degrees in Commerce and Economics from the University of Queensland.

Dr. Amber R. Logan is a traditional Kahungunu Māori wahine, a New Zealand Health Psychologist and Doctoral Fellow in Public Health at Otago University. She teaches health psychology course work at the University of Auckland & Otago University and is well-known in New Zealand for her work in methamphetamine education and community activism. She is a consummate grant writer, health services evaluator and health services program designer. She has presented extensively in Australia, Canada, and the USA at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and to the US Federal Government.

Dr Joseph B Stone, PhD, is an Anaskapi-Pikuni Ceremonialist and Traditionalist and member of the OKKAN (Sundance), the Beaver Lodge, and the Last Star Thunder Medicine Pipe. He is retired from providing direct clinical services and now specializes in consultation, program development, and education to Indigenous communities and agencies. His prior clinical experiences include work at Taiwhenua o Heretaunga – a Kaupapa Mauri Health Provider, and Awhina Whanau Services located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He was instrumental in the development and subsequent operation of the Te Pae Tawhiti Trust -Whaiora Ara Tapu (TPTT WAT) Healing Journey to Wellness Methamphetamine Assessment and Treatment Program in Wairoa, New Zealand. Previously, he spent six years as Department Head and Chief of Services at the Gallup Indian Medical Center, the largest US indigenous behavioral health service located in New Mexico USA. He has extensive clinical experience with adult and juvenile prisoners in the corrections systems in the USA and New Zealand. He is affiliated with the National Centre on Trauma and Project Making Medicine – Indian Health Services Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse at Oklahoma State University. He has presented to the US Senate Select Committee in Indian Affairs. He has extensive international experience providing presentations and consultations, and publications including articles on trauma, suicide, and other cultural and behavioral issues.

Uncle Thomas Callaghan is a proud Koori man and descendant hailed from Biripi country (Taree) and Kempsey Dunghutti country in New South Wales. He grew up on Old Burnt Bridge Aboriginal Mission, just 8km west of Kempsey NSW and until his late teenage years. As a young adult, Tom returned to his grandmother's and family home traditional of the Biripi people where he lived on Purfleet Aboriginal Mission just 9Km South of Taree NSW. Today, he is the oldest living grandchild of Thomas Benjamin Callaghan, late of Bellbrook West of Kempsey and grandmother, Cinderella Callaghan (Richie) late of Purfleet south of Taree NSW. Over the years, Thomas established Aboriginal Medical Services, owned varied business enterprises, worked as professional fisherman, professional motorbike racer, Prime Minister Keating's team member and worked at UNHCR setting up refugee settlement camps across the Africas and the Middle East.

Maria Callaghan is a nurse-midwife and a proud descendant of the Bol-anon tribe from her mother’s side and the mountain-dwelling Higaonon tribe from her father’s heritage. She completed her Australian Migration Law degree at Australian Catholic University. With over three centuries of Spanish rule and occupation of the Philippines, Maria knows too well the long-term effect of colonization the most devastating consequences for her people were the loss of cultural identity as her ancestors were chronically stripped of their unique traditions and languages from forced assimilation, coercion into adopting Spanish culture, Catholicism and cultural suppression that led to significant disconnect with their ancestral roots. The encomienda system, which granted Spanish colonizers control over Indigenous labour subjected her ancestors to brutal working conditions often without fair compensation and exploited their country's resources which continues to shape the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of the Philippines today. Maria has more than 20 years of experience in nursing and midwifery, health management, workforce development, event management, law and business. She’s passionate about building compassionate communities and has trained more than six hundred compassionate community connectors to date from Weipa in the Cape & Torres to Birtinya in Sunshine Coast where mobilised community connectors are making a difference and supporting families in communities one at a time.