NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF A WOUNDS SPECIALIST
Reflections from the unstoppable giant in wound care
With
Professor Dr. Geoff Sussman
OAM JP Ph.D. FPS FACP FAIPM FAWMA FRVAHJ FCWCP
Adjunct Professor of Wound Care
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University &
Clinical Lecturer Medical Education,
University of Melbourne &
Wound Consultant,
Austin Hospital Heidelberg, Victoria &
Past President
Asia Pacific Association for Diabetic Limb Problems
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | May 2026
Professor Dr.Geoff Sussman holds a position in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, and is the Adjunct Professor of Wound Care He is a wound consultant at the Wound Clinic Austin Hospital.
He has been a faculty member at St Anne’s College Oxford University and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Auckland University. He has been involved in wound management for over 40 years in clinical research and clinical practice and teaching and has over 200 publications including 48 book chapters.
He was Chairman of Wounds Australia, is an Executive Board Member of The International Wound Infection Institute, is the Past President of The Asia Pacific Association for Diabetic Limb Problems. He is an associate editor of the International Wound Journal, a member of the editorial board of Wound Practice and Research, Chronic Wound Care Management and Research journal and is a member of the advisory committee for Post Graduate Wound Care education at Monash University. He was awarded an OAM in the Queens birthday Honours in 2006 for his work in wound care as a researcher, educator and clinician. In 2021 he was a State finalist for Senior Australian of the Year.
He has been involved in sport for many years in Gymnastics, Swimming and Diving. He was the President of Gymnastics Victoria for 20 years and was the chairman of the Gymnastics Foundation, also Chairman Australian Diving Association for ten years He was also the elite team manager of the Australian diving team for 4 years taking them to the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 .
He had been in Australian Teams at 3 Commonwealth games and was the Team attaché for Mauritius at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
A member of Sports Medicine Australia for more than 30 years and has a wide experience in Pharmacology and drugs in sport He has been a member of the oping Advisory Control Panel for Swimming Australia from 1988 to 2005. And is a member of the International Powerlifting TUE committee He was a delegate to both the Victorian Olympic council and the Victorian Commonwealth Games Association, He served for four years as an executive board member of the Victorian Olympic Council.
Source: Supplied
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Reducing patient accessibility barriers in the clinical setting
Hannah McPierzie is a globally respected presenter, disability advocate, and educator who offers a unique perspective on disability and communication. She lives with Neurofibromatosis Type 2, a rare degenerative condition, and has two auditory brainstem implants. After 15 years teaching in the disability sector, Hannah acquired disability herself in 2020, when life-saving surgery left her deafblind.
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Recognising service in health regulation
In April 2023, Professor John Skerritt retired from his position of Deputy Secretary Health Products Regulation Group, a role he has been in since 2012. During his time at the TGA he had line responsibility for over 1200 staff involved in the regulation of therapeutic goods, regulation of gene technology and industrial chemicals and control of drug import, export and production.
At this year’s ARCS 2023 Conference, ARCS Australia CEO Dr Shanny Dyer paid tribute to Professor Skerritt and his service to the Australian health industry. She led a tribute with fellow industry heads, Elizabeth de Somer, CEO, Medicines Australia, Anne Harris, Managing Director, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand, Deon Schoombie, CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Australia, Ian Burgess, CEO, Medical Technology Association of Australia and Arthur Brandwood, President ARCS Australia.
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Unleashing the potential of Paramedic skills and knowledge
According to a prominent paramedicine academic and researcher, paramedics have the potential to provide much-needed care in the community, changing the traditional healthcare model. Research points to paramedics having a wider healthcare workforce impact based on their ability to identify and fix problems 24/7.
Dr. Brendan Shannon is Head of Postgraduate Programs in the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University and a member of The Australasian College of Paramedicine. His interests including refining healthcare models, to ensure underserved communities receive requisite care. These alternative care pathways, like outreach programs, can work out of hospitals to provide care in underserved communities with social and complex chronic conditions.
