Event Report: Clinical Education Lunch with Dr Mikey Xie
Date: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Location: Riverstone Family Medical Practice
A small but highly engaged group of doctors gathered at Riverstone Family Medical Practice for an enriching lunchtime educational session. The event commenced with a catered lunch provided once again by Belinda Steiger, whose efforts continue to be greatly appreciated.
From 1:00 to 2:00 pm, Dr Mikey Xie, clinical endocrinologist, delivered an outstanding and highly interactive presentation. Drawing on his extensive training and clinical experience—including specialist training at Royal Prince Alfred, Liverpool, and Westmead Hospitals—Dr Xie provided practical insights into evidence-based endocrine care. His talk was both informative and accessible, covering complex issues in a clear and engaging manner.
Dr Xie’s holistic and individualised approach to endocrinology, alongside his research background and teaching experience, added depth to the discussion. The format encouraged questions and discussion, making the session not only educational but also a valuable opportunity for professional exchange among colleagues.
This event was a resounding success, and we thank Dr Xie for his time and expertise. Our members benefited greatly from this interactive learning experience and look forward to future sessions.
Event Report: Family Violence in Healthcare Forum
Date: Saturday 31 May 2025
Location: Visy Dior Hotel, Western Sydney
The Hills Doctors Association hosted a powerful and well-attended forum, Family Violence in Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach, on Saturday 31 May. With over 70 in attendance—including GPs, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and others—the event provided an important opportunity to address the urgent issue of family violence in Western Sydney.
The forum featured presentations from Dr Jessica Teoh (NSW Young Woman of the Year 2025 Recipient), Dr Lai Heng Foong (Emergency physician & Sexual assault specialist), Sarah van Bentum (General Manager Anglicare Relationships & Wellbeing), and Dr Michael Fasher (Clinical Director WentWest), whose expertise and compassionate insights helped shape a deeply meaningful day. Their contributions illuminated the complexity of family violence, the necessity of early detection and coordinated intervention, and the value of cross-sector collaboration among health, law enforcement, and community services.
Statistics shared during the event were sobering—family violence-related assaults have risen by 28% across Greater Sydney in the past decade, with more than 12 incidents reported daily in The Hills alone. Yet the forum was marked not by despair, but by action and hope. Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants reporting practical changes they plan to implement, from improved screening and documentation to more confident referrals and better support for both victims and perpetrators. We were also grateful for the addressed of His Honour Magistrate Peter Feather – Regional Coordinating Magistrate, Sydney West, and Detective Chief Inspector Chris Laird (Castle Hill Police Representative). Chris Laird praised the event as one of the most insightful he’d attended, noting that learnings had already been shared across the Command.
The Hills Doctors Association extends its sincere thanks to all presenters for their dedication to this vital cause, and to Sarah - Jane De Leon and Kristine De Jesu from Wentwest and the went west team for their hard work in making this forum possible. We will be looking to have a follow up forum on this same issue in before the end of this year.
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Seminars - Recent events
FEBRUARY 2025
BEAT THE HEAT: Western Sydney Health Forum 2025
On February 20 this year, Hills Doctors Association held their 7th Annual "Beat the Heat" Health Forum. This forum was designed to address many of the issues of public health around the dangers of HEAT in an Australian summer. The Forum was free, it was catered and it featured a series of speakers:
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Dr Kim Loo, Doctors for the Environment NSW, Hills Doctors Assoc.
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Prof Nicky Morrison, Director, Urban Transformations Research Centre
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Kelly Gee, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
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Dr Stephen Conaty, Director, Environmental Health Branch, Health Protection NSW
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Emma Bacon, CEO & Founder, Sweltering Cities
Thank you to the 40 or so people who attended, and to the excellent speakers. Anyone who missed this year's event, please email us at office@hillsdoctors.org.au so we can invite you to the 2026 event in Febraury next year.
Gallery
Highlights from our recent seminars