Speakers
Dr Shanthini Seelan
General Practitioner
Dr. Shanthini Seelan has been involved with the colorful and vibrant community of Western Sydney for the past 25 years .She has a strong focus on caring for patients who are VFRs (Visiting Friends and Relatives). She understands the unique health considerations that can arise when patients travel internationally to visit loved ones, including travel-related infections, vaccination needs, chronic disease management while abroad, and post-travel health concerns.
Dr. Seelan takes a proactive and preventative approach, ensuring her patients are well-prepared before travel and thoroughly supported on their return. Her care is thoughtful, culturally sensitive, and tailored to each individual’s circumstances, reflecting her commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered general practice.
A/Prof Dr Bernie Hudson
Clinical Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases physician
A/Prof Dr Bernie Hudson MBBS(Hons), DTPH, FACTM, FAFPHM, FRACP, FRCPA is Director of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases at Royal North Shore Hospital and Northern Sydney Local Health District, Associate Professor at James Cook University, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Sydney University, and a visiting medical officer at North Shore Private Hospital and Northern Beaches Hospital. He previously worked in Papua New Guinea as a specialist physician, contributing to national TB and leprosy treatment programs. A pioneer in Australian travel health, he founded Travel Health Advisor in 1988. His work spans diagnostic algorithms for developing countries, vectorborne diseases, One Health, vaccination, and antimicrobial stewardship software development.
Sarah Alland
Applied Epidemiologist
Sarah is an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist in One Health Branch at Health Protection NSW. She has worked in the Australian health sector for 10 years. She has experience developing surveillance systems and policies for the statewide investigation of infectious diseases, and within a public health unit setting working with local communities to investigate and respond to public health threats.
Sarah has a Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology from the Australian National University and a Master of Public Health from the University of New South Wales. She is a graduate of the Australian Field Epidemiology Training Program and NSW Public Health Training Program.