we are the canberra family study
ACT Health faces unique challenges as both the Nation’s capital territory and a tertiary referral point for high-risk women’s health for large areas of rural NSW. The service faces challenges relating to distance and availability of healthcare personnel that are not faced by other tertiary health services.
A detailed snapshot of the experience of pregnant women and their families can help identify gaps in care that can lead to service improvement.
The Canberra Family Study will focus on several important areas in pregnancy and early parenting care in the ACT that emerged following our consultation.
The Canberra Family Study will recruit new mothers who have recently delivered a baby through ACT Health Services and their partner. Participants and partners will be asked to complete a questionnaire and consent to an audit of the pregnancy record and medical record of their newborn baby.
A detailed snapshot of the experience of pregnant women and their families can help identify gaps in care that can lead to service improvement.
The Canberra Family Study will focus on several important areas in pregnancy and early parenting care in the ACT that emerged following our consultation.
The Canberra Family Study will recruit new mothers who have recently delivered a baby through ACT Health Services and their partner. Participants and partners will be asked to complete a questionnaire and consent to an audit of the pregnancy record and medical record of their newborn baby.
Meet UsWe're the team
behind the Canberra Family Study. Chief investigator Clinical Professor Julie Quinlivan Professor Quinlivan is a senior specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology who has published around 300 research articles, conference presentations, books and book chapters as well as editorials in the world's leading journals. She has held leading roles in the medical profession including ProVice Chancellor and Executive Dean of Medicine, Chair of RANZCOG ACT committee, and non Executive Director of health service and TAFE boards. She has taught medical students and supervised junior doctors in four States. She is the lead investigator with project oversight. Associate investigators Dr Rodney Petersen CSC Dr Petersen is has held senior roles in the medicine including Director of Medical Services in Women's and Children's Health. He has taught medical students and supervised junior doctors in four States and numerous hospitals. He has undertaken humanitarian work with the Australian military and played a leadership role in military workforce classification. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2024 Australia Day honours. Dr Roberto Orefice Dr Orefice is a local Canberran who is a maternal-fetal medicine sub-specialist. He has a special interest in preterm birth prevention, pre-eclampsia and pre-pregnancy counselling. He is a lecturer at The Australian National University, the obstetrics medical lead for Southern NSW LHS and is a prevocational medical education officer involved in training and supervising junior doctors. Dr Emma O'Shea Dr O'Shea is an expert in women's health with an interest in teaching and research. Dr Priyaah Sekar Dr Sekar is currently training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Canberra Hospital. She has a strong connection to the Canberra community and its healthcare landscape having completed both her postgraduate studies and internship here, and continues her training at the hospital to this day. Outside of her dedication to medicine, Dr Sekar enjoys baking, reading and being a proud fur mom to her playful Labrador puppy, Maple. Dr Ritika Santokh Dr Emma Wilson Dr Wilson completed her undergraduate studies in Tasmania then ventured to Queensland to pursue training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Striving for continual growth and development, Dr Wilson is currently working in Gynaecology Oncology to expand her skill set. She is proud aunty to two nieces, both born at The Canberra Hospital. Dr Hari Yuvaraj Dr. Yuvaraj brings a blend of clinical practice and academic research to the Canberra Family Study. With a Master's in Reproductive Medicine, he is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices in reproductive health. His experience includes roles in tertiary hospitals in Australia as well as serving as the sole permanent obstetrics and gynecology doctor in remote, resource-poor areas, catering to diverse populations internationally. This varied background has endowed Dr. Yuvaraj with an understanding of the complexities of reproductive medicine across various cultural and socioeconomic contexts. His passion extends to identifying challenges faced by families who have adopted IVF therapy to conceive with the aim of enhancing support to this group. Dr Roberta Matters Dr Matters is currently training in obstetrics and gynaecology at The Canberra Hospital, having gained experience in women's health across multiple States and Territories as well as internationally. Dr Matters is also a proud mum to a little boy recently born in Canberra and has an equally demanding golden retriever. Dr Fouad Chaalen Dr Chaalen is a proud father of two boys, finished his undergraduate studies in Lebanon Beirut, and completed his obstetrics and gynaecology specialty in women's wellness and research in Doha, Water. Dr Chaalan has recently become a part of the Canberra hospital family. Dr Oshadhi Nallaperuma Dr Nallaperuma is an internationally trained obstetrician having completed her postgraduate training in Sri Lanka ands undertaken visits to Australia to broaden her expertise abroad. Holding a senior registrar position in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at TCH, show concurrently contributes as a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Amidst her demanding professional commitments, she fulfils the role of devoted mother to three cherished daughters, with the youngest entering the world in Canberra. |
First Let'sPromote
Help promote the Canberra Family Study to your family and friends.
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Now let's rollParticipate
If you are eligible to join then consider participating and sharing your thoughts with the study team by completing the questionnaire and providing consent to audit of your pregnancy record.
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Lights, cameraPromulgate
As we share our findings and advocate for service improvements please consider adding your voice to calls for quality improvement in our health services.
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