How will genomics change patient care in your hospital? How do you ensure it’s safe and high quality? And what is the value of genomics to our health system?
The State of Genomic Care summit helps you answer these questions and more. Join healthcare leaders, innovative clinicians, policymakers, consumers and genomics experts on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at ACMI in Federation Square.
How to get there
The State of Genomic Care is on Wednesday 19 March at ACMI in Federation Square. Registration opens at 8am.
The summit registration desk is closest to the Federation Square entrance. You can also view a map of the venue.
Program
Introductions
Award-winning journalist Emily Rice sets the scene for the day.
Welcome to Country
Wurundjeri Council
Opening remarks
Prof Clara Gaff from the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance explores how far Victoria has come in genomic care, and where it might go next.
What the hell happened to me?
An unusual way to see the impact of genomics.
Curing misconceptions
Genomics isn’t only for rare disease. Prof Paul James (Royal Melbourne Hospital), A/Prof Cathy Quinlan (The Royal Children’s Hospital), and A/Prof Norelle Sherry (Doherty Institute) unpack how genomics can take trial-and-error out of treatment, inform complex medical procedures, change the prognosis of kidney disease, and protect Victorians from antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Morning tea
A roadmap to routine care
How do we ensure genomics is used in all specialties where there’s good evidence for it? Paediatrician Dr Emma Weisz, nephrologist Dr Kushani Jayasinghe and oncologist Dr Kortnye Smith join A/Prof Kerryn Ireland-Jenkin in discussing road-tested ways to build expertise and referral pathways.
Genomics and your hospital
As genomics goes mainstream, hospital leaders need to ensure it remains safe and high-quality. Louise McKinlay from Safer Care Victoria joins CEOs Adam Horsburgh (Alfred Health), Prof Eugine Yafele (Monash Health) and Rowena Clift (Western District Health Service) to explore what genomics means for our hospitals – now and ten years from now.
Where’s the value in genomic care?
How do we measure value in genomic care? And what might it cost our hospitals? Chief Financial Officer Lucy Franzmann (University of Melbourne) puts some hard-hitting questions to health economists Prof Kim Dalziel and A/Prof Chris Schilling (University of Melbourne).
Lunch
Roundtables: Insights from the frontlines
Planning for genomic care
Dr Kushani Jayasinghe (Monash Health), Dr Kortnye Smith (Peter Mac), Heather Chalinor (Austin Health) and Amy Clarke (Melbourne Genomics)
Workforce development
A/Prof Cathy Quinlan (The Royal Children’s Hospital) and A/Prof Amy Nisselle (Melbourne Genomics)
Learning in the clinic
Dr Emma Weisz (Melbourne Genomics) and A/Prof Belinda McClaren (MCRI)
Consumer involvement
Stacey Ong (Melbourne Genomics Community Advisory Group) and Chriselle Hickerton (Melbourne Genomics)
Cultural safety and genomics in Aboriginal healthcare
Sara Alden and Olivia Payne (VACCHO)
Policy and system change for Indigenous genomic equity
Louise Lyons and Belle Hart (ALIGN)
Scaling up genomics in pathology
Dr Joe Baini (AGRF) and Bryony Thompson (Royal Melbourne Hospital)
The economics of genomic care
Prof Kim Dalziel and A/Prof Chris Schilling (University of Melbourne)
Consumer views: What good genomic care looks like
Lucia Wang and Bonney Corbin share their experiences of good (and bad) genomic care. They join genetic counsellor Elly Lynch (VCGS) and clinician-scientist Prof Sarath Ranganathan (University of Melbourne) to discuss the importance of consumer involvement in genomic health services.
What does ‘genomic equity’ mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Jim O’Shea from VACCHO reflects on the importance of genomics in Indigenous healthcare and why cultural safety is key. Prof Alex Brown from ALIGN unpacks what genomic equity looks like in practice.
Debate: Are we ready to go with genomics?
We round out the summit with an all-star professorial panel for a lively debate on the issues discussed today. Prof Brett Sutton (CSIRO), Prof Shelley Dolan (Royal Melbourne Hospital), A/Prof Danya Vears (Deakin University) and Prof Grant McArthur AO (VCCC Alliance) all go head-to-head, grilled by moderator Emily Rice. Expect hard questions, brutal truths and probably a little snark.
Report back
Prof Clara Gaff reflects on the key themes and take-home messages from the day.
Networking drinks
Because after all that, you deserve a wine and some canapes.
Questions for presenters
Do you have a question for someone you heard at the summit? Email it to us and we'll follow it up for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do you mean by 'genomic care'?
- How much genomics knowledge is needed?
- Is the summit about research discoveries?
- What will I get from going to the summit?
- Can I join online?
- Is the summit accessible?
What do you mean by ‘genomic care’?
Our summit looks at all aspects of using genomics in patient care within hospitals - not just the genomic test itself. ‘Genomic care’ includes identifying which patients may benefit, how they are referred, how test results can inform care and medicine prescriptions, how patients and families are supported, and how care can be safe, effective and equitable.
How much genomics knowledge is needed?
You won’t need much prior knowledge of genomics to participate. The idea is to get the leaders and the experts together to spark a much-needed conversation about genomics in our hospitals.
Is the summit about research discoveries?
No. It’s about what’s ready for use in our hospitals right now: real-world cases, proven innovations, and road-tested tools and models of service delivery.
What will I get from going to the summit?
It’s your chance to look up from day-to-day operations, and plan for a fundamental change impacting almost all medical specialties. You can learn how Victorian hospitals are mainstreaming innovation within the constraints of the real world. And you can start important conversations with fellow healthcare leaders and clinical experts.
All participants will leave with tools and insights that can be used within their own contexts.
Can I join online?
The summit’s about starting conversations and building connections – something best done in person. While a few key sessions will be recorded and shared, the real value comes from being in the room and participating in the sessions.
Is the summit accessible?
The State of Genomic Care is held at ACMI in Federation Square. There is a wheelchair ramp at the Flinders Street entrance, and all spaces are wheelchair accessible. There are accessible and gender-neutral toilets on all floors. The ACMI website has more information.
We want to make easy for everyone to participate in person. Please let us know via the registration form or enquiries@melbournegenomics.org.au if there’s anything we can do to make you feel welcome.