Council member profiles

Dr Rebekah Hoffman

Chair, Sydney South-East

The attraction to general practice for me was the variety. Not knowing what I would be doing day to day, and also the ability to have variety in my out of clinical work; into research, teaching, advocacy, leadership and podcasting!

I really like the little things, when a patient has been sent in by a loved one as they think you are a lovely person, or when a child comes and sees you for a second, or third, or fourth time and they no longer scream down the waiting room, they now high five, or even give you a thank you hug when they get in.

The highlands are beautiful. I love the early morning frost on the ground as I drive in during winter, when I am very glad my office has the morning sun, and heating!

I believe in saying yes. When someone suggests you do something, join something, try something, especially when you have not heard of it before, or it is slightly outside of your comfort zone, give it a go.

What no one knows about me is that somewhere deep in my handbag, or at furthest in my car - I am always carrying my knitting. Any opportunity to have a five minute relaxing knit will be taken.

A/Prof Michael Fasher

Provost

I was initially attracted to general practice by the opportunity to provide ongoing medical care for children. Over time colleagues inspired me to explore the potential in general practice for helping families and communities raise healthy, well-adjusted children and young people.

Among many "best moments" during my clinical career was the discovery that eviscerating negative feedback can be horizon expanding.

As a Councillor my primary aim is to support efforts to see that the College leads in what matters. This includes helping sustain a culture within the College of robust, yet respectful, debate.

The "one" thing I have learned as a general practitioner is that a lot goes into minimising harm - doing no harm cannot come first.

One thing that nobody knows about me on a personal level is that as a child I wanted to be a steam train driver when I grew up!

Dr Karin Jodlowski-Tan

GP Training and Rural Faculty Representative

I stumbled into general practice and found that it suited my broad interests across all the disciplines of medicine. It allowed my husband and I to travel and work across different rural settings. I was also able to pursue my interests in integrative medicine and learn additional skills in musculoskeletal medicine and acupuncture.

Following graduation, I worked for over 20 years in rural and remote general practice, particularly in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and longstanding involvement in GP education with colleges and training organistations.

There is a sense of connection with community, and the land, which pervades into one’s being. Rural becomes a sense of one’s identity, not just geographical. I love the sense of belonging and purpose. There is nothing that invigorates the soul as feeling the thrill of delivering a new life or sharing with a patient in the last moments of their life. As a rural GP we are privileged to be part of such intimate moments of people’s lives. 

Over the past 15 years I have been involved in various RACGP committees, including the Rural Education Committee, and the NSW faculty council. As a Rural Council member, we have a responsibility to champion for rural and for our professional roles. We have the opportunity to improve education and support to future rural GP’s and enable a stronger voice in the systems that influence health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone.

Some of the most defining moments relate to the times I spent with patients who are dying. I really treasure the times I was allowed into the sanctity of their homes, surrounded by their families and being given moments from the previous moments they have left. Even though we may just hold hands in silence, it’s almost like we are connected without words. That’s so precious.

Dr Kim Loo

Deputy Chair

I was drawn to general practice as it is the only specialty that allows you to look after a whole person. Other specialties look after bits of people.

The absolute joy of general practice is looking after the families and their subsequent children. Few other jobs allow you have such a deep connection with families and their communities.

As a Faculty Council member my objective is to advocate for action on social and environmental determinants of health. Meaningful policies that help protect our communities. General practice has been hammered by the impacts of heat waves and extreme weather.

I have spent the entirety of my working life in Western Sydney. It is getting hotter. I have been working with councils to advocate for heat adaptation plans, advocating for improved building codes, and increasing canopy cover; and with community to educate them about keeping safe during heatwaves. We are just at the beginning of adaptation for disasters to come. The flexibility of General Practice allows me to do my advocacy work. I enjoy listening to patents and enhancing their science and health literacy skills, and working as a team, including the wonderful nurses at the practice. I am active on social media with my thoughts and actions.

Dr Heba Azer

Murrumbidgee regional representative

I am a General Practitioner and practice owner based in Wagga Wagga and a Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW, with over 18 years of experience in rural healthcare. With my Egyptian heritage and Australian life, I embrace the blend of cultures that shape who I am as a clinician, educator, and community advocate.

My professional passion lies in strengthening health systems through integrated clinical education, meaningful research, and sustainable workforce development. I balance my clinical and academic roles with family life as a mother of three and wife to another GP, which continually grounds my work in the realities faced by many clinicians and families.

I serve as the elected representative for the Murrumbidgee region on the RACGP NSW/ACT Faculty Council, where I advocate for equitable general practice, a sustainable GP workforce and training pipeline, and initiatives that support our communities, patients, and colleagues. I am committed to inspiring more medical students and early-career doctors to choose general practice as a meaningful and rewarding career.

My academic and research work spans primary care, skin cancer, dermatology, medical education, and innovative models of care for priority populations, including children with developmental disorders in rural NSW. I lead and collaborate on locally driven, community-informed health solutions, including co-leading a successful $1.99M NHMRC–MRFF grant aimed at improving outcomes for rural children and families.

Serving on the Faculty Council enables me to contribute to broader systemic change and work with dedicated colleagues to advance a more sustainable future for general practice.

One last thing you may not know about me: I’m a lifelong learner in and out of medicine—lately that has included taking up golf and learning Latin dance.

Dr Kenneth McCroary

Sydney South West representative

I was mostly fascinated by cardio-vascular disease, but found myself in general practice as the result of a long-standing relationship which directed me toward this medicine specialty. As a GP the best moments come from having fun, each and every day, no matter what is happening – there are silver linings to be found everywhere.

As a Faculty Council member my objective is to advocate for general practitioners, their practices and teams, and the patient community of southwest Sydney for improved health outcomes and life journeys, and to work with the Council to expand these goals throughout NSW and ACT.

On a personal level, my favourite activity is scuba diving in Papua New Guinea!

As a GP I have learnt that engaging, observing and caring can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It only takes one person to take the time to ask “how are you?” or mention that the way someone is living is not normal, and a person’s entire world can change.

As part of my out-of-practice activities I do an interview program – GP Link Lunches which can be accessed via the South Western Sydney PHN website. 

Dr Max Mollenkopf

Hunter regional representative

I joined the NSW&ACT Faculty Council in 2024. I was motivated to nominate for Council as I think we are in a unique position as a profession where large scale change is occurring around us. The RACGP remains our best voice during that time and it relies on members coming forward and representing the views of GPs on the ground. I would love for the Council to spend more time on what general practice looks like moving forward. It’s really important for us to define and question what type of clinicians we need to be moving forward. The primary care world is being redefined and we need to ensure patients have a GP at the core of that delivery model. I was attracted to the GP profession after fantastic experiences as student showed me just how much value you can bring to your patients life when you give them longitudinal care.

Dr Ania Samarawickrama

I am a General Practitioner, advocate and researcher with a passion for health equity and social justice. I strive to take inter-sectoral action to address social, economic and environmental determinants of health. I graduated from the University of Sydney in 2012 and completed my specialist General Practice training in 2019 after working in Australia and the United Kingdom. Since then, I have focussed my clinical practice in western Sydney, an area of high social, cultural and economic diversity where social determinants of health need to be addressed alongside clinical needs. I believe that challenges of social inequity and health disparities need multi-sectoral action. To that end, I serve in a number of advisory and advocacy roles. I am also an active researcher and current higher research degree candidate at the University of Sydney in the field of perinatal epidemiology. My academic focus is on the social, cultural and economic determinants of lifestyle factors during early pregnancy, including diet, physical activity, and mental health. By combining my clinical, advocacy and research skills, I hope to be at the forefront of collaborative, system-wide improvement in primary care to better address health justice and social equity.

Dr Spela Berlec

Junior Doctor Representative

I am a recent medical graduate, set to begin my internship in January 2025 at Sutherland Hospital and St. George Hospital. I am drawn to general practice because of its profound yet understated impact—it quietly transforms lives, improving and often saving them every single day. I find great fulfilment in connecting with patients, learning about their stories, and witnessing the positive difference in their well-being when they leave feeling better and more hopeful than when they arrived to the practice.

As a Council member, my goal is to actively promote general practice among my fellow JMOs and advocate for improved training conditions. I am deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and upholding the human rights of both patients and doctors. I am eager to contribute meaningfully to advancing these important causes.

One surprising fact about me is that I was once an avid scuba diver and had the thrilling experience of diving with various sharks, including bull sharks and even great whites.

Dr George Shehata

Central Coast

I was drawn to general practice because of its unique ability to provide tailored medical care as I am passionate about delivering personalized care and building lasting relationships with my patients. As a GP, I am privileged to be a part of my patients' lives, guiding them through various stages of life and health. My days are filled with a diverse range of patients, from newborns with their loving parents to elderly individuals with their caring supporting adult children. I have the opportunity to support families through various challenges, practice all fields of medicine, and make a positive impact on my community.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the relationships I build with my patients. I cherish moments when children excitedly call out to me, create heartfelt cards, or simply appreciate the care they receive. Witnessing patients recover and receive good news is also incredibly fulfilling. I feel privileged to be part of their health journey.

By Joining the Council, my goal is to revitalize and prioritize Australia's general practice, addressing the challenges GPs face at every career stage. I believe in promoting a supportive environment where GPs can thrive, both personally and professionally. And reshaping the future of general practice in Australia, ensuring that every individual receives high-quality, patient-centred care.

A valuable lesson I've learned throughout my career is the importance of maintaining my own health and family life while being available to my patients. On a personal note, I owe my success to the unwavering support of my wife.