Mrs Bernadette Smith

Psychology Plus (Tas) Pty Ltd
South Burnie TAS 7320

Tel: 03 6431 9959
Fax: 03 6431 9950

BA(Hons) GradDipPsychEd GradDipTeachLearnHealth Prof DipClinHyp(Med) MScMed(Pain Management) MAPS

Graduating from UTAS in 1992 Bernadette spent the next 10 years working as a Psychologist for Community Mental Health Services in Tasmania (Child & Adolescent/Adult Community).  Bernadette has also worked for UTAS as honorary clinical lecturer with the School of Psychology and Rural Clinical School at the Cradle Coast Campus.
Bernadette moved into private practice (Psychology Plus) in 2003 where she developed a special interest in the treatment of chronic pain and health education.  In 2016, Bernadette completed her Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) through the University of Sydney.  Aside from consulting in private practice Bernadette co-facilitates a federally funded Group Pain Management Program (OPAL) on the North West Coast of Tasmania and has done so for the past 8 years.  Bernadette is also co-director of Pain Solutions a multi-disciplinary team working with compensable patients suffering chronic pain.
Bernadette is a big supporter of the Pain Revolution; she rode for the first time in 2018 and is currently a mentor for local pain educators through the local pain education program. 

Dr Laura Prendergast

Persistent Pain Management Service
Northern Health
Broadmeadows VIC 3047

Tel: 03 8345 5166 - work days Monday & Thursday
Fax: N/A

B.A., GDip Psych., DPsych (Health)

Dr Laura Prendergast is a Senior Psychologist at the Northern Health Pain Service in Melbourne, Victoria, where she delivers group programs and provides assessment and individual treatment to clients with persistent pain. She also consults on the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Clinical Panel, reviewing and providing advice for psychologists treating people who have been touched by road trauma. She is passionate about multidisciplinary pain management and enjoys the challenge of improving educational resources for people with pain in her clinical practice. Laura is a strong advocate for Health Psychology and its focus on prevention and population level interventions in addition to targeted clinical work.

Laura served as the Victorian Director on the board of the Australian Pain Society from 2017 to 2022, was appointed Treasurer in 2022 and now President-Elect from 2025.

Mrs Dinah Spratt

Physiotas Physiotherapy
Shearwater TAS 7307

Tel: 03 6428 7500
Fax: 03 6424 7811

GradDipPhys MScMed (Pain Management)

Dinah moved with her family to Tasmania from the UK in 2006 and has been working in an expanding private physiotherapy practice on the north-west coast since then. She has also worked in an advanced scope role for an orthopaedic spinal surgeon in northern Tasmania for 6 years, assisting in both the diagnosis and management of spinal patients conservatively and pre and post operatively. Dinah has a special interest in the management of spinal and chronic pain conditions, as well as educating both patients and allied health professionals on chronic pain and its biopsychosocial influences. Dinah has completed a MSc in Medicine on Pain Management at the University of Sydney. She gives regular talks entitled ‘Chronic pain from a biopsychosocial perspective’ for patients and is involved in presenting talks to GPs and also to members of her local community on this subject.

Dr Duncan Sanders

Pain Management Unit, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney
Managing Pain Clinic, Gold Coast
E3 Physio, Gold Coast 

Tel: 07 5620 1234
Fax: 07 3009 0420

PhD, MScMed (Pain Mgmt), MPhty, BExSciDuncan Sanders is a Senior Lecturer for the Master of Medicine (Pain Management), Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney, and a Pain Management Physiotherapist. He completed his PhD at The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London. His PhD exploring the brain mechanisms and modulation of persistent pain using modern neuroimaging techniques, was nominated for the King’s College London graduate school prize. Over the last four years his research focus has shifted from neurobiological mechanism of pain, to looking at clinically relevant work focused on early identification, prevention and management of chronic pain related disability. He is currently working with collaborators on a Department of Health grant to develop a national education pain program for healthcare professionals. 

 Clinically Duncan has worked as a Physiotherapist in various settings, including pain clinics, the British Military of Defence, private practice and large tertiary hospitals. He was the Educational Development Physiotherapist and Clinical Specialist in Pain Management at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London. His main area of interest over the last 15 years has been in multidisciplinary pain management, working in world-renowned facilities including the Michael J Cousins Pain Management & Research Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital and the INPUT Pain Management Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London. He is the past Chair and Vice-Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association NSW Pain Group.

Mr Anjelo Ratnachandra

Beyond Pain Pty Ltd

Tel: 0400 202 803
Fax: N/A

B Physio (Hons), Grad Cert Counselling, Cert CBT, Cert REBT, Cert ACT

Anjelo Ratnachandra is the founder of Beyond Pain and an award-winning practitioner who established one of the first private chronic pain/fatigue physiotherapy services in Australia. His unique set of skills in Physiotherapy and Counselling has led him to contribute towards numerous research papers in pain & fatigue management. He is the author of the popular self-guiding book Beyond Pain which has reached over 13 countries. Anjelo has extensive experience, having worked with chronic illnesses for almost two decades. He not only helps individuals but also consults to corporations (State and National), and government organisations on early intervention and injury prevention. He runs his own workshops and has developed pioneering concepts in the area of persistent pain and chronic illness. For his work, Anjelo has received numerous awards in Occupational Rehabilitation, and was the inaugural winner of Worksafe’s (Vic) Treating Health Practitioner Award in 2011. In 2018, he was awarded Physiotherapist of the Year at the Australian Allied Health Awards. He has worked in Australia and overseas and is a popular keynote speaker.

Mr Connor Gleadhill

Department of Health and Aged Care
Primary Care Division
Newcastle NSW 2308

Tel: 0405 203 661
Fax: N/A

B. Phty (Hons)

Connor is an Irish-Australian physiotherapist and researcher. In his clinical work, Connor has established and run successful businesses and led a state-wide team of health professionals within the New South Wales Police Force. In his research, Connor has established and leads a clinician-led physiotherapy research network in regional New South Wales. In this network, and other projects, Connor works with end-users of research (clinicians, consumers, and other stakeholders) to co-produce clinically relevant translational research. Connor is passionate about making research more useful and leading changes in health systems to improve outcomes for patients with pain and chronic health conditions.

Dr Amelia Searle

Flinders Medical Centre Pain Management Unit, South Australia

Tel: 08 8204 5499
Fax: 08 8204 5440

BPsych(Hons), PhD

Dr Searle completed her PhD through the University of Adelaide in 2011 in the area of child mental health. Her research experience spans two decades, in the broad areas of mental health and wellbeing, public health and epidemiology, and health services research. In her current role as Data Manager/Research Scientist at the Flinders Medical Centre Pain Management Unit, Dr Searle collaborates with medical consultants, allied health clinicians, nurses and administrative staff, as well as university academics in order to conduct various research projects regarding chronic pain patient outcomes, generating results that are directly translatable into quality improvement and evidence-based practice. Dr Searle has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and presented at various national and international conferences. She also holds an adjunct role within the Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health.

Mrs Karla Wright

Fernvale Priceline Pharmacy

Tel: 07 5427 0695
Fax: 07 5427 0698

BPharm(Hons) AACPA GradDipClinPharm MPS MACP JP(Qual) 

Karla Wright is a highly dedicated and experienced Pharmacist based in Brisbane, Queensland, where she practices at a Community Pharmacy in Fernvale. As the Vice-President of the Queensland Branch Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), she plays a pivotal role in advancing the practice of pharmacy in the region. Through her involvement in the PSA, she actively contributes to shaping policy and improving professional standards and she has dedicated her career to advancing Pharmacy practice and improving patient care.

In addition to her many other responsibilities, Karla is an active member of the Australian Pain Society and has been a member of the Relationships Committee since 2021. Her involvement in this committee allows her to collaborate with professionals from various disciplines to address issues related to pain management and patient care. Through her various roles and contributions, Karla has become a respected leader in the pharmacy profession. Her diverse work across policy development, clinical practice, education, community service and research showcase her dedication to advancing pharmacy practice, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care continues to have a lasting impact on both her local community and the broader healthcare landscape.

Ms Heather Gray

Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide SA

Tel: Email preferred: heather.gray@sa.gov.au
Fax: N/A

BNsg, GradDipNsg, Nurse Practitioner Candidate

Graduating from Flinders University in 1994, Heather spent the first few years of her nursing career in ICU, bridged into perioperative nursing (PACU) before transitioning to the acute pain specialty. She has been the Nurse Unit Manager of the Acute Pain Service at the Royal Adelaide Hospital since 2015.

Mr Sinan Tejani

Launceston General Hospital
Launceston TAS 7250

Tel: 0469 967 841
Fax: N/A

MClinPhys (Sports Major) Prof. Certificate In Pain Sciences

Sinan moved to Australia from Mumbai in 2015 to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Physiotherapy. Upon completing his Masters, he moved to Burnie, a regional city on the northwest coast of Tasmania. Living and working in Burnie exposed Sinan to the challenges regional communities face in receiving best practice care, especially when it comes to the management of persistent pain and to that end, he has been involved with Pain Revolution as a Local Pain Educator (LPE).

Sinan is extremely passionate about improving the knowledge and standards of pain care amongst allied health professionals and strongly advocates for the recognition of social determinants of health in outcomes related to pain.  Sinan currently works as a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Launceston General Hospital. Sinan also works as a consultant and coach for BOOST Recovery, an online program for the management of persistent pain. He is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) from the University of Sydney.

Mrs Alison Sim

10 South Sports Medicine, Geelong; and

The University of Sydney

Tel: 0488 988 315
Fax: N/A

BSc (Clin Sci), MHSc (Osteo), MSc Med(pain mgmt), PhD

Alison qualified as an osteopath in 2001 and has worked in a variety of clinical settings since graduating.  She completed a master’s degree in pain management at The University of Sydney ten years ago and has worked exclusively in the area of pain management since.  In 2021 Alison commenced a full time PhD which focused on early interventions for people with a compensable injury.  She completed the PhD in 2024 and is currently working in pain research.  Alison continues to work clinically part time, seeing patients with chronic pain in a multidisciplinary clinic.  She has been part of the APS for many years and has attended the annual conferences for the last eight years.  Alison appreciates the connectedness that the APS fosters within its membership and firmly believes in its mission to advance pain management through research, education and advocacy for people with living with pain. 

Alison is keen to contribute to the APS and was appointed VIC State Director in 2025.

Ms Jacintha Bell

Director/Principal Occupational Therapist
Lifeworks Occupational Therapy
Mount Lawley WA 6050

Tel: 08 7082 0622
Fax: 08 6323 3329

BSc(Occupational Therapy)

Jacintha graduated as an occupational therapist in 2001. She is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy. In her early career, she worked in inpatient, outpatient and community mental health services, and then progressed to working in public and private pain clinics. Jacintha established her own occupational therapy practice in 2014, focusing on mental health, persistent pain and complex/chronic conditions. Jacintha is passionate about enabling people with persistent pain to do the things that are important to them and incorporating participation and meaning into all aspects of service delivery. She is a strong advocate for the inclusion of occupational therapy in multidisciplinary services for people with persistent pain and involved in providing training to health professionals to broaden their skills and abilities in working with people with persistent pain.

Mrs Joyce McSwan

Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) Persistent Pain Program, PainWISE
QLD

Tel: 0412 327 795
Fax: 07 3539 9801

BPharm FPS Cert IV TAE

Joyce is a multi-award winning clinical pharmacist and educator within the field of pain management.  She has authored and innovated many pioneering pain programs for primary health care, private hospitals and within the pharmacy industry in Australia and Southeast Asia.

Her work in pain management has been promoted by the Productivity Commission of Australia, in particular for her value-based health pathways and expertise in collaborative partnerships within both primary healthcare and hospitals.  Currently she is the Clinical Program Director of the Gold Coast Primary Health Network ‘Turning Pain into Gain’ program, Managing Director of PainWISE and President of the Australian Pain Society. In addition to her executive roles, she is also leads in altruistic work within regional and remote areas of Australia, to improve access to pain management services in hard-to-reach areas.  She has strong skills in motivational interviewing, health pathway design and translating evidence into everyday clinical relevance.

Prof Kevin Keay

Department of Anatomy
University of Sydney
Sydney NSW 2006

Tel: 02 9351 4132
Fax: 02 9351 2817

PhD

Kevin has led the Australian Pain Society Scientific Program Committee (SPC) since April 2017.

Dr Lincoln Tracy

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Monash University
Melbourne VIC 3004

Tel: 03 9903 0288
Fax: N/A

BBiomedSc (Hons) SpecCertCR (Neuro) PhD
Dr Lincoln Tracy completed his PhD in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University in 2017. His doctoral research focused on the psychological and physiological modulation of pain experience, and included testing the effects of intranasal oxytocin on pain in people with chronic neck and shoulder pain. He is currently employed as a Research Fellow in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, where he works on the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Joanne Harmon

School of Clinical and Health Sciences
University of South Australia
Adelaide SA 5000

Tel: 08 8302 1442
Fax: N/A

RN BN (Hons) PhD, BAppSci (Cons Tech) MACN
Dr Joanne (Jo) Harmon is a registered nurse and academic located at the University of South Australia.  She completed her nursing degree in 2011 with honours and then her PhD in 2016, both at the University of Newcastle, NSW. Joanne’s thesis was titled “The assessment and management of pain in older people by nurses in acute care: a focused ethnography”. Her research interests are focused on qualitative research, critical care, acute acre, care of the older person and pain care provision.

Em Prof Maree Smith AC

Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development
University of Queensland
St Lucia QLD 4072

Tel: maree.smith@uq.edu.au
Fax: N/A

Emeritus Professor Maree Smith AC, is a full-time researcher and Director of the Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development (CIPDD) in the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Queensland. Internationally, she is a leading researcher in biomedical discovery/translation with particular expertise in the novel pain therapeutics field. She is inventor on a patented novel analgesic technology that was licensed to the UQ spin-out company, Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, for commercialization and it was acquired by Novartis in 2015. Maree has supervised 33 PhD students and more than 50 Honours/Masters students to completion and she is currently supervising 5 PhD students. She has published approximately 200 papers in the international peer-reviewed literature. In 2019, Maree was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Prof Luke Henderson

Anatomy & Histology, School of Medical Sciences
Brain & Mind Centre
University of Sydney
Camperdown NSW 2006

Tel: 02 9351 7063
Fax: 02 9351 6556

Professor Fiona Blyth

Sydney School of Public Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health
University of Sydney
Camperdown NSW 2006

Tel: fiona.blyth@sydney.edu.au
Fax: N/A

Fiona Blyth (BSc (Med), MBBS (Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM) is a Professor of Public Health and Pain Medicine at the University of Sydney. A public health physician, pain epidemiologist and medical educator, she is currently Head of the University of Sydney Concord Clinical School at Repatriation General Concord Hospital, and Associate Dean within the Faculty of Medicine. She is internationally recognised for her conceptual and empirical work in characterizing the burden of chronic pain conditions within populations. Fiona has been involved in studies of chronic disease epidemiology (with a specific interest in pain-related conditions) for more than 15 years. This includes large prospective cohort studies, RCTs, pharmacoepidemiological studies, and health services research using linked routinely collected datasets. She was on the expert reference group for low back pain for the World Health Organization’s 2010 Global Burden of Disease Project. She has strong links with local and international groups researching healthy ageing, arthritis/musculoskeletal conditions, and injury. She has a particular interest in multi-morbidity of chronic conditions, and has co-authored a book chapter on this topic related to pain and multimorbidity.

In the last five years she was also Head of Intramural Research at the Sax Institute, who are national and international leaders in research on healthy ageing, health services research, fostering collaborative research and translation of research into health policy. Currently, she is Senior Advisor in the Knowledge Exchange Division. In this role she had extensive involvement with knowledge brokering, and training knowledge brokers.

Fiona was awarded an AM on Australia Day 2018 for her significant service to medical research and education in the fields of public health, pain management and ageing, and to health policy reform.

Ms Kylie Dark

DC Conference & Association Management
North Sydney NSW 2060

Tel: 02 9016 4343
Fax: N/A

Kylie has a broad range of experience gained from working across various sectors in her career including event management, hospitality management and more recently, medical administration following her return to the workforce after spending time at home managing a busy household of five!

Ms Tracy Hallen

DC Conference & Association Management
North Sydney NSW  2060

Tel: 02 9016 4343
Fax: N/A

BEc
Inspired by the work of the Australian Pain Society, Tracy joined the DC Conference & Association Management team, in February 2010. In her role as Administrative Officer, Tracy assists the APS to manage and enhance its membership services.