| Thursday 16 October 2025 | |||||
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| 1100 - 1600 | Registration opens Sponsored by |
Foyer M & N | |||
| 1215 - 1630 | Ballistics Workshop (Registration required) | L2 | |||
| 1700 - 1800 | AMMA COUNCIL MEETING | L1A | |||
| Friday 17 October 2025 | |||||
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| 0700 - 1800 | Registration Opens Sponsored by |
Foyer M & N | |||
| 0700 - 1530 | Barista Cart Opens Sponsored by   |
Halls MNO | |||
| 0730 - 1830 | Exhibition Opens | Halls MNO | |||
| 0730 - 1630 | Speakers Preparation Room Opens | L1A | |||
| 0830-0835 | WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT CAPT Ian Young AM RAN |
Hall L | |||
| 0835 - 0840 | WELCOME TO COUNTRY Cliffy Wilson, Cultural Educator with Kuma Kaaru Cultural Services |
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| 0840 - 0845 | OFFICIAL ADDRESS Chris Picton Minister for Health and Wellbeing, SA |
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| 0845 - 0900 | OFFICIAL OPENING & PATRON ADDRESS Rear Admiral Sonya Bennett AM |
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| 0900 - 0915 | OPENING ADDRESS CAPT Ian Young AM RAN |
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| 0920 - 1010 | OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS Four Decades of Caring for Those Who Served : Personal Reflections on the Evolution -- or not-- of Disability Entitlements related to Military Service Dr. Cyd E. Courchesne OMM, CD1, MD, MCFP, DAVMED, CHE (Captain (Navy) retired) With thanks to
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| 1015 - 1045 | Morning Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing Sponsored by |
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| 1050 - 1200 | Session 1 Hall L |
Session 2 L2 |
Session 3 L3 |
Session 4 City Rooms 1&2 |
Session 5 City Rooms 3&4 |
| Chair: | CAPT Ian Young AM | LTCOL Csongor Oltvolgyi | Dr Andy Robertson | MAJ Brendan Wood | WGCDR Kim Davey |
| 1050-1110 | Beyond Force Protection: Environmental Health and the Operational Advantage in Complex Battlespaces Dr Andrew Mathieson |
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Veterans: A Novel Approach to Healing Trauma Through Structured Retreat Programs Dr Aileen Alegado |
Beyond the Blast: A Data-Driven Blueprint for Military Brain Health in Australia Paul Scanlan |
Implications for Australia of the 2025 update to NATO STANAG 2939 Minimum Requirements for Blood, Blood Donors and Associated Equipment BRIG Michael Reade |
An Exploration of the Role of Military Advanced Practitioners and Their Potential Employability in the Deployed Pre-Hospital Environment: A Mixed-Methods Study Dr Elizabeth Paxman |
| 1115 - 1135 | Rapid Medical Supply Delivery Dr Joni Sytsma |
Embedding Cultural Change through a Systems-Based Alcohol Management Framework in the Australian Defence Force Lucas Liew |
Stress, Resilience & Functioning: 8-Week Peer Led Program Colin Von Rechenberg |
Walking Blood Bank: Benefit in Contingency and Kinetic Operations Prof Mansoor Khan |
Maximising Military Healthcare Capability: Evolving Perioperative Nursing Roles for a Dynamic Future LCDR Jen Evans |
| 1140 - 1200 | Force Health Protection
Health Superiority as a Battlefield Multiplier WO Lee Matthews |
Fighting Mental Health Stigma from the Bottom-Up:Key Findings from an Integrated, Peer-Connected Group Program for Defence Kids Living in Families Affected By Military Associated Mental Illness WITHDRAWN |
A Medical Perspective of the VETS Act: Changes, Challenges, and Chances Dr Fletcher Davies |
Platelet Transfusions in a Military Context: Current and Emerging Evidence Dr Elissa Milford |
Clinical and Moral Readiness for Nursing Officer Deployment to Armed Conflict: Lessons from the Middle East LTCOL Jane Mateer |
| 1200-1310 | Lunch, Poster Session & Exhibition Viewing Sponsored by |
Halls MNO Chair: MAJ Brendan Wood |
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| 1315 - 1445 | Session 6 Joint session with Australian and New Zealand Burn Association Civilian military partnerships in conflicts in burns (Joint with AMMA) Hall L |
Session 7 L2 |
Session 8 L3 |
Session 9 City Rooms 1&2 |
Session 10 City Rooms 3&4 |
| Chair: | COL Keith Towsey | SQNLDR Gus Cabre | LTCOL Csongor Oltvolgyi | MAJ Brendan Wood | CMDR Martin Richardson |
| 1315 | RADM Sonya Bennett AM Surgeon General ADF Joint Health Command |
Leading Minds Left Behind: Why the Mental Health of Leaders Can’t Be an Afterthought Dr Kylie Tuppin |
Patterns Of Health Service Usage Among Ex-Serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) Members in the Year Prior To Suicide Alastair Herschel |
Accelerated Healing: Preliminary Outcomes from a 4-Day Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre (ITTC) Program for Veterans Using EMDR 2.0 and Prolonged Imaginal Exposure Dr Michelle Parker-Tomlin |
Moral Injury: Addressing Recommendation 78 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide CHAP (COL) Charles Vesely |
| 1330 | How will Civ-Mil Interface Work with Burns AIRCDRE Andrew Pearce |
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| 1335 | |||||
| 1340 | Supporting High Psychological Threat Missions Through the Use of the Hui Process Kirsty Whitehead |
Preparedness and Resilience: Environmental Surveillance for Biosecurity and the Opportunities of Biomanufacturing Dr Craig Rogers |
Wounded and Without Rescue: Having to Provide Clinical Care to Multiple Casualties Whilst Also Being Wounded By an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Clinical Decision Making and Leadership in Extremis LCDR Travis Robinson |
Moral Injury Skills Training (MIST): Past, Present and Future Dynamics for Addressing the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Defence and Veteran Suicide CHAP (WGCDR) Assoc. Prof Lindsay B. Carey |
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| 1345 | Does UK's practice make perfect when it comes to mass casualty? Nicole Lee |
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| 1350 | |||||
| 1355 | |||||
| 1400 | Current Geopolitical Implications for Trauma and Burns Providers in the (Potential) IndoPacific Theatre James Jeng |
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| 1405 | Personalised Virtual Reality Positive Mental Enhancement (VRPME™): An innovative Solution for Psychological Resilience in Isolated and High-Stress Military Environments. Findings from the Mars Society Arctic Analog Mission Dr Stephane Verhaeghe |
Female Veterans’ Perspectives on the Impact of Chronic Pain and Challenges to Obtaining Optimal Health Care Dr Rebecca Mellor |
Rapid Extrication of Poly-Trauma Patients from Military Armored Vehicles: An Inter-Agency Trial of Lessons Learned Robert Curtis |
Responding to Moral Injury in a Dynamic Maritime Crisis Senior Chaplain Daniel Hynes |
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| 1410 | |||||
| 1415 | Partnerships in Action: Building Burn Capability and Capacity in the Emirates LTCOL Eleanor Curtis |
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| 1425 | |||||
| 1430 - 1445 | Panel Discussion | From Past to Present: How Pre-Service Trauma and Current Cognitive and Behavioural Processes Shape PTSD Risk in Military Personnel Prof Jennifer Wild |
Psychosocial Outcomes for Australian Defence Force Veterans and Family Members During Military to Civilian Transition: Insights from the Families in Transition Study Amber Cohen |
Prolonged Forward Care- What does this Mean and What does it Look Like? CDRE Anthony Holley |
A Transferable Framework for Moral Injury: An Interdisciplinary Psychology and Chaplaincy Model from Emergency Services Jesse Winter |
| 1445 - 1525 | Afternoon Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing Sponsored by Indulgence Cart Sponsored by  |
Halls MNO | |||
| Session 11 Short Oral Session |
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| Chair: | MAJ Brendan Wood | ||||
| 1530 - 1535 | The Hero's Journey: Narratives of Mental Health Recovery in NZDF Personnel SQNLDR Carsten Grimm |
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| 1535 - 1540 | Utilising the Veterans Lens Consultation Tool to Optimise Veteran Health and Wellbeing Dr Catherine Eltringham |
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| 1540 - 1545 | Beyond Insomnia: A New Era of Sleep Health Screening in the NZDF Amy Davis |
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| 1545 - 1550 | Developing a Platform Agnostic HADR capability in the RAN CMDR Scott Squires |
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| 1550 - 1555 | Strategic and Operational Priorities for the growth of Military Medicine COL Tim Inglis |
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| Chair: | CAPT Ian Young AM | ||||
| 1600 - 1650 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS Building your Resilience Shield Dr Dan Pronk |
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| 1650 - 1655 | Welcome ReceptiON SPONSOR ADDRESSSponsored by Peter Behrendt Managing Director, Defence Serco AsPac |
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| 1700 - 1830 | WELCOME RECEPTIONWith thanks to |
Halls MNO | |||
| Saturday 18 October 2025 | |||||
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| 0740 - 1630 | Barista Cart Opens Sponsored by |
Halls MNO | |||
| 0800 - 1615 | Exhibition Opens | Halls MNO | |||
| 0800 - 1730 | Registration Opens Sponsored by |
Foyer M & N | |||
| 0800 - 1700 | Speakers Preparation Room Opens | L1A | |||
| 0830 - 0835 | WELCOME TO DAY 2 | Hall L Chair: CAPT Ian Young AM |
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| 0840 - 0930 | GRAEME SHIRTLEY ORATION Health Support for RAN Operations 1901-1976: Past Lessons for the Present and Future Dr Neil Westphalen MBBS (Adel), Dip AvMed, MPH, PhD, FRACGP, FACAsM, FAFOEM (RACP), psc Commander, Royal Australian Navy |
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| 0935 - 1005 | Morning Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing Sponsored by |
Halls MNO | |||
| 1010 - 1145 | Session 12 Hall L |
Session 13 L2 |
Session 14 L3 |
Session 15 City Rooms 1&2 |
Session 16 City Rooms 3&4 |
| Chair: | COL Janet Scott | LTCOL Csongor Oltvolgyi | SQNLDR Gus Cabre | MAJ Brendan Wood | |
| 1010 - 1030 | The Pilot-RESTORE Trial: Driving Innovation in Severe Burns Resuscitation Dr Elissa Milford |
Mindfulness-Based Trauma Recovery and Prevention (MB-tr): A Community-Centred Adaptation of MBSR for Veteran Populations Lisa Brown |
Gender Differences in Reintegration and Adjustment to Civilian Life Among Ex-Serving ADF Members Dr Jie Hu |
The Proposed Garrison Health Rehabilitation Continuum: Optimising musculoskeletal rehabilitation services in the Australian Defence Force Simon Olivotto |
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| 1035-1055 | Operationalising Telemedicine in High-Risk Environments: Lessons from Aspen Medical’s Deployments Dr Katrina Sanders |
Risk factors for progression and chronicity in suicidal ideation and behaviours in contemporary Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel BRIG Nicole Sadler |
Process evaluation of the University of South Australia's Invictus Pathways Program: The Early Years Dr Dannielle Post |
Far-Forward Oxygen Delivery in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: A New Approach Using Rugged Chemical Oxygen Generation Alex Charlesworth |
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| 1100 - 1120 | Building National Healthcare Resilience in the Baltic Region; The UK: Estonia H-MIMMS Initiative 2023-2025 WITHDRAWN |
Treatment Preferences for PTSD Among Australian Defence Force Members: Preferred Treatment, Predictors and Reasons for Choice Prof Jennifer Wild Dr Zoe Jenkins | The ANZAC Research Institute: Opportunities for Research Collaborations Prof Tracy Smart |
A Cure for Phantom Limb Pain? Dr Kylie Hall |
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| 1125-1145 | Are We Medically Planning for the Greatest Casualty Load? WITHDRAWN |
Governance is Not a Dirty Word LTCOL Tara Miller |
Exploring Food and Nutrition Related Behaviours for Australian Veterans and their Families Prof Talitha Best |
Listening to the Force: A Social Listening Framework to Inform Defence Health Research & Innovation LEUT Dr Wan Nurul Naszeerah |
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| 1150 - 1300 | Lunch, Poster Session & Exhibition Viewing Sponsored by |
Chair: MAJ Brendan Wood | |||
| 1150 - 1300 | Annual General Meeting (AMMA Members Only) Lunch will be provided |
City Rooms 1&2 Chair: CAPT Ian Young AM |
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| 1305 - 1355 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS Caring After Conflict: Lessons for Humanitarian Health Dr Stacey Pizzino |
Hall L Chair: Nader Abou-Seif |
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| 1400 - 1535 | Session 17 Hall L |
Session 18 L2 |
Session 19 L3 |
Session 20 City Rooms 1&2 |
Session 21 City Rooms 3&4 |
| Chair: | MAJ Brendan Wood | CMDR Martin Richardson | COL Janet Scott | Dr Andy Robertson | WGCDR Kim Davey |
| 1400 - 1420 | Resilience Isn’t Enough: Why Role Design Matters for Operational Readiness Amy Davis |
Resilient Healthcare – Minimum Viable Capability in Clinical Governance AIRCDRE Andrew Johnson |
Silent Struggles: Hidden (Brain) Injuries in Defense Personnel and Veterans Dr Omer Shareef |
Ethical Relevance of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law in Medical Operations: Case Studies from Ukraine and Gaza LTCOL Erin Shelley |
Would you let him fly? A case study of possibility SQNLDR Daniel Cehic |
| 1425 - 1445 | An Update on Drone Warfare & Ukraine – Rapidly Evolving Challenges in Military Medicine GPCAPT Jeff Stephenson |
Repeated Exposure to Low Level Blast: Review of the current understanding of associated neuropathology, cognitive effects, strength of evidence for longer term health effects and the Defence approach to management Dr Catherine Kelaher BRIG Damien McLachlan |
Invictus: Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration for Current and Former Serving Personnel Through the ADF’s Adaptive Sports Program Brian Heilbronn |
Optimizing ADF Medical Officer Capability by reducing time to Fellowship - An overview of progress since implementation of the PGY3 year for RACGP Registrars Dr Andrew Ramage |
MCAT, MERT, JECC? Developing Platform Agnostic Critical Care Retrieval Training in the ADF CMDR Scott Squires |
| 1450 - 1510 | Using Virtual Reality to Foster Deep Learning About Pain and Recovery: Safety, Acceptability and Feasibility in Veterans Dr Dianne Wilson |
Monitoring Low Level Blast Exposure to Personnel in Australian Defence Force Training Dr Antony Sutherland |
Building Expeditionary Health Readiness Through Bush Dentistry Dr Alexis Dieu |
Medical Decision Making in LSCO – Are We Prepared? An Overview of Modern Medical Ethics Through a Clausewitzian Lens MAJ Thomas Patterson |
Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation as a Proxy for Medical Return to Australia Surveillance SQNLDR Jordan Breed |
| 1515 - 1535 | Drones and AI: The Future of Mass Casualty Triage? WITHDRAWN |
Preventable Tropical Disease Threats in our Region Dr Rebecca Suhr |
The Joint Medic Training Continuum: Supporting Medic Career Progression Sarah Patterson |
Prevalence of War-Related Abuses and Mental Health Symptoms in Ukraine Since the Start of the War WITHDRAWN |
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| 1540 - 1615 | Afternoon Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing Sponsored by Indulgence Cart Sponsored by |
Halls MNO | |||
| 1615 - 1715 | Hall L | Psychology Breakout L2 |
NAVY Breakout L3 |
ARMY Breakout City Rooms 1&2 |
AIRFORCE Breakout City Rooms 3&4 |
| 1755 - 1855 | Adelaide Oval Tour (Pre-registration required, limited capacity) | Adelaide Oval | |||
| 1815 - 1900 | PRE-DINNER DRINKS | Southern Concourse. Adelaide Oval | |||
| 1900 - 2330 | CONFERENCE GALA DINNERThank you to our Principal Sponsor AMMA AWARDS CEREMONY |
William Magarey Room, Adelaide Oval | |||
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | |||||
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| 0800 | Arrival Coffee and Tea & Barista Cart Opens | Foyer of City Rooms 1-3 | |||
| 0830 | Registration Opens Morning Refreshments |
Foyer of City Rooms 1-3 | |||
| 0900 - 0905 | Welcome CAPT Ian Young AM RAN AMMA President |
City Rooms 1-3 | |||
| 0905 - 1005 | Military Healthcare in a Dynamic Environment in the Defence Health System Leadership Rear Admiral Sonya Bennett AM Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General Australian Defence Force |
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| 1005 - 1105 | Directorate of Force Health Protection – Inaugural Year LTCOL Emma Williams SQNLDR Jordan Breed FLTLT Jamie Clifford Dr Jace Drain |
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| 1105 - 1115 | Closing Remarks CAPT Ian Young AM RAN AMMA President |
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The 2025 AMMA Conference reserves the right to amend or alter any advertised details relating to dates, program and speakers if necessary and without notice, as a result of circumstances beyond their control. All attempts will be made to keep any changes to an absolute minimum.
