Current members

VicReN currently has five lead research practitioners and three academic members

Lead Research Practitioners

Dr Hubert van Doorn GP, East Brunswick Medical Centre

Dr Hubert van Doorn graduated from the University of NSW in 1980 and undertook four years of general practice training in the ACT, southern NSW and the UK. In 1986 Hubert moved to Melbourne and worked in community health and academic positions with the RACGP and the Department of Community Medicine (now Department of General Practice) at the University of Melbourne. Hubert became a principal at the East Brunswick Medical Centre (http://www.eastbrunswickmedical.com.au/) in 1993 and for six years held a busy sessional appointment at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne. In 2007 Hubert accepted an Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing PHCRED fellowship located at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne. He will use this opportunity to investigate the management of depression in general practice.

Dr Chris Hogan GP, Family Medical Centre, Sunbury

Dr Hogan started the Family Medical Centre, Sunbury (http://www.familymedicalcentre.com.au/) in 1985 and is the principal partner. Dr Hogan has been the Director of the Research Unit for the RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) Victoria since 1995 and is a past Chairman (1997 – 1999) of RACGP Victoria. Dr Hogan is actively involved in medical education and research for medical students, recent medical graduates and in ongoing education for established doctors. He is also actively involved with many local, state and national medically related committees. He has published several articles in Australian medical journals. His main medical interests include the management of asthma in all ages, medical diagnoses, the care of older citizens and the prevention and management of emergencies.

Dr Amjad Hussain GP, Your Family Health Clinic, Airport West

Dr Amjad Hussain has practiced at Your Family Health Clinic in Airport West since 1977. Dr Hussain is currently completing a Master of Medicine (Research) at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, investigating cardiovascular risk factors amongst Indo-Australians with Type 2 Diabetes. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the North West Melbourne Division of General Practice (since 2003 with a previous term from 1994 – 2001), and Chair of the Division’s Respiratory Alliance Group. In 2005 Dr Hussain completed an Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing PHCRED fellowship located at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne.

Dr Cathy Hutton GP, Margaret Street Clinic, Moonee Ponds

Dr Cathy Hutton has been a member of the Board of Directors, North West Melbourne Divison of General Practice since 2001. In 2006 she completed a Master of Public Health (Primary Care Research Report) at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne. Her thesis was on whether or not the length of consultation in General Practice improved outcomes in the management of depression. Dr Hutton has practiced at the Margaret Street Clinic, Moonee Ponds since 1990. She is currently Chair of the GP section of AMA Victoria. Dr Hutton’s main interests are the provision of comprehensive primary health care with a special interest in mental health and women’s health. She is also interested in policy formulation and implementation that encourages high quality primary health care.

Dr Debra Wilson GP, Dianella Community Health Medical Practice, Broadmeadows

Dr Debra Wilsonjoined Dianella Community Health Medical Practice (http://www.dianella.org.au/), Broadmeadows Health Service in 1993, having graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1988.  She completed a Diploma of Obstetrics in 1993 and became a fellow of RACGP in 1994.  Dr Wilson is undertaking a Masters of Social Health (Medical Anthropology) at the School of Population Health, University of Melbourne. She has joined the Board of the North West Melbourne Division of General Practice 2000 and became Chair in 2006.

Academic Members

VicReN also has three academic members based at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne.

Professor Jane Gunn
Primary Care Research Unit Director, Department of General Practice

Dr Marie Pirotta
Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice

Dr Meredith Temple-Smith
Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice