Melbourne Brain Centre, Kenneth Myer Building, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3010
A one-day seminar hosted by Mercy Perinatal, dedicated to exploring leadership pathways in healthcare - across all disciplines, not just perinatal medicine.
This unique event will bring together doctors, nurses, midwives and academics from all specialties who are seeking to build their best life in healthcare - whether in their current role, in a formal leadership position, or in an adjacent field.
In 2026, this event will be convened by Professor Sue Walker (Obstetrician, Mercy Hospital for Women) and Associate Professor Stephen Warrillow (Senior Intensivist, Austin Health), joined by expert leaders from across disciplines and across the country.
Join us Saturday 23rd May 2026, in-person at the Melbourne Brain Centre or online via Zoom.
RegisterGeneral In-person admission: $295
Nurses/midwives/trainees In-person admission: $175
Online admission (via Zoom): $95
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM
Acclaimed, award winning, Leadership and Culture Expert
Best Selling Author: Blindspotting: How to See What Others Miss (2025), Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership (2023), Women Kind: Unlocking the Power of Women Supporting Women (2018).
Former Director General Health Reserve - Army
Director, Greater Brisbane Clinical School
Professor of Military Medicine and Surgery, University of Queensland
Dean, Sub-Faculty, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Monash University
Director of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Deputy-Chair (formerly chair), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Section of Women in Surgery
Associate Dean Healthcare Sustainability, The University of Melbourne
Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Physician, Western Health
Group Director Medical Services and Clinical Governance, Cabrini Health
Paediatrician, The Royal Children's Hospital
Director, National Child Health Poll at RCH
President, RANZCOG
Clinical Director of Obstetrics, Djerriwarrh Health Service, Victoria
Former National Training Coordinator, Australian Organ & Tissue Authority
Former Associate Nurse Unit Manager, St Vincent Hospital
Tom Rollinson
Co-Director, Mercy Perinatal
Head of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Stephen Warrillow
Director of Intensive Care, Austin Health
Director of the Critical Care Institute, Epworth HealthCare
| 08:30 - 08:45 |
Welcome: Igniting LeadershipProf Sue Walker AO and A/Prof Stephen Warrillow |
| 08:45 - 09:45 |
Keynote Address - Leading with Impact: Unlocking the Power of BlindspottingDr Kirstin Ferguson AM (Leadership and Culture Expert, Author) |
| 09:30 - 10:10 |
The first time manager: what you need to knowDr Piraveen Pirakalathanan (Group Director Medical Services, Cabrini Health) |
| 10:10 - 10:30 |
Leaders in the Spotlight: On the Couch with…Prof Euan Wallace AM (Former Secretary of the VIC Department of Health | Monash Uni) |
| 10:30 - 10:55 |
Morning Tea |
| 10:55 - 11:00 |
Session 2: Tending the Fire |
| 11:00 - 11:25 |
Learning to be resilient AND sustainable now, all at once, forever...Prof Forbes McGain (Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Physician, Western Health) |
| 11:25 - 11:50 |
Role models, mentors and sponsors: who’s holding your ladder?Prof Kate Drummond AM (Director of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital) |
| 11:50 - 12:15 |
Leading Across Boundaries: the power of versatility in leadershipProf Carol Hodgson (Executive Director of Monash Partners AHS Centre) |
| 12:15 - 12:45 |
The Bright SparksDr Alice Poulton (Genetic Counsellor, Mercy Perinatal) Tom Rollinson (Manager of Physiotherapy, Austin Health) Erica Spessot (Midwife, Nurse, Podcaster, Northern Health | Mercy Perinatal) Dr Carolyn Vasey (General & Colorectal surgeon, Ballarat Health) |
| 12:45 - 13:25 |
Lunch |
| 13:25 - 13:30 |
Session 3: Holding the Lantern |
| 13:30 - 13:55 |
Holding the Lantern: Guiding Patients and Families Through the Hardest ConversationsBernie Dwyer (Nurse | Former National Training Coordinator, Australian Organ & Tissue Authority) |
| 13:55 - 14:20 |
Lighting the way or playing with fire? Social media and modern healthcare leadershipDr Anthea Rhodes (Paediatrician | Director, National Child Health Poll at RCH) |
| 14:20 - 14:40 |
Leadership in Times of CrisisProf Michael Reade AM (Former Director General Health Reserve - Army | UQ) |
| 14:40 - 15:05 |
Afternoon Tea |
| 15:05 - 15:10 |
Session 4: Sustaining the Flame |
| 15:10 - 15:35 |
Burnout and Self careDr Nisha Khot (Obstetrician, RANZCOG President) |
| 15:35 - 15:50 |
Kind, Not Nice: Compassion with Courage in LeadershipProf Sue Walker AO (Co-Director, Mercy Perinatal) |
| 15:50 - 16:05 |
In the Heat of the Moment: Ethical Decisions at the BedsideA/Prof Stephen Warrillow (Director of Intensive Care, Austin Health | Epworth) |
| 16:05 - 16:10 |
Resources: Where to next?Dr Belle Huguenin (Gynaecologist, The Royal Women’s Hospital) |
| 16:10 - 17:00 |
Panel: The CEO is IN!Clinton Cummins (Mercy Health) Jodie Geissler PSM (Austin Health) Louise McKinlay (Safer Care Victoria) Adj Prof Adam Horsburgh (Bayside Health) |
| 17:00 - 17:10 |
CloseProf Sue Walker AO and A/Prof Stephen Warrillow |
Join us at The Melbourne Brain Centre, Kenneth Myer Building, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3010
Getting here:
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Interested in Sponsoring our Leadership Conference?
Our sponsorship prospectus for 'From Spark to Flame' is available upon request. If your organisation would like to be part of this incredible event, please reach out to our friendly team at mercyperinatal@mercy.com.au.
We look forward to partnering with you.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Bella and Sarah at: mercyperinatal@mercy.com.au