Council Chair

Alice Fung, a migrant from Hong Kong, is a registered Occupational Therapist, graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy and a post-graduate certificate in pain management from the University of Sydney. She has over 20 years of experience as a clinician and consultant in disability, pain management, rehabilitation and insurance sectors. Alice is the principal in her private practice in Occupational Therapy, providing services in the Western Sydney area, mainly clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Alice has worked in a range of organizations, including the Department of Human Services, life insurance companies (Commonwealth Bank & BT Financial Group), and currently working as a service manager in the corporate health, rehabilitation and life insurance sector at a global insurance broker (Marsh & McLennan).

Alice has a non-executive board of director experience in the NFP sector, bringing her occupational therapy experience, passion and contribution towards better client care by being part of the board and experience in clinical risk & governance. Alice is also an active member of OT Australia, co-chair for National Pain Management Interest Group and promote and support other peers in learning and sharing better practice in pain management for patients.

Alice is a member of AICD, ANZIIF (CIP Affiliate), GIA (Affiliated), AICGG and OT Australia. Alice has an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology (Washington DC, USA).

Council Secretary

Monica Smith is an experienced Principal Advisor within the Department of Education, providing executive support and policy advice on international education.

Monica holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Southern Queensland, specialising in Human Resources and Information Technology.

She is inspired by working with diverse teams and creating a positive work culture and was instrumental in designing a mentoring program for aspiring leaders within the Department of Education.

Her personal experience with chronic spinal pain has made her passionate about advocating for and supporting people experiencing similar health issues that impact negatively on their wellbeing.

Council Member

Newman Harris is a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician, a Consultant Psychiatrist, a practicing clinician and educator, and a consultant to private industry, particularly in the area of insurance medicine.

In 2022, Newman stepped down after serving 9 years on the board of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the ANZ College of Anaesthetists, four years as the Chair of Examinations for that specialty. He has also served on the NSW branch committee of the Royal ANZ College of Psychiatrists, as well as the Executive Committee of the Senate, Council of the University of New South Wales, & Executive Committees of that institution's Faculty of Medicine.

Newman has held director positions with both the Australian Pain Society and Painaustralia, and is a panel member of the Medical Council of NSW and the Medical Tribunal of NSW.

Council Member

Dr Leigh Atkinson is a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Neurosurgeon at the Wesley Hospital. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (Neurosurgeons) in 1971, a Fellowship of the Australian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (RACP) in 1980, and Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 1999. As a Foundation Fellow of FPM, and inaugural board member, Dr Atkinson has had a significant influence on the development of the specialty. In 2002 he was elected Dean of the Faculty. Atkinson has a special interest in the non-interventional approach to managing persistent pain.

Council Member

Julie is Professor in Physiotherapy at the School of Health Sciences and Social Work at Griffith University, and the Clinical Director of the Mater Health Services Back Research Clinic, Brisbane Queensland.

She is a titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, amongst many other esteemed positions.

Julie has been involved in physiotherapy practice and research for over 30 years.

Her current research focuses on developing and assessing the effectiveness of motor control based intervention programs for people with low back pain. Elite sporting organisations have engaged Julie to conduct collaborative research. The recipient of multiple grants, Julie is also a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists and co-author textbooks on therapeutic exercise for lumbo-pelvic stabilization.

Council Member

Paul Watson is a Director of Berrill & Watson Lawyers and an expert in superannuation and life insurance. For the last decade, Paul has delivered seminars and workshops for disability support groups, financial counsellors and consumers with the aim of improving the lives of people with a disability, injury or chronic illness.

Paul is a current member of the Consumer Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership with Palliative Care Queensland because of the support he provided to the organisation.

Paul is also a Board Director of Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation.

Council Member

Thy Cao is a passionate health and well-being expert. As Associate Director at KPMG, she uses her understanding of data to inform health and well-being strategies, policies and programs to create opportunities for people and communities to thrive.

Thy was the past President of the NSW branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Thy has skills ranging from clinical experience and knowledge, coaching, business management and development, customer relationship management, understanding business financials, health data analytics to advising corporations, government agencies and professional boards regarding health, safety and wellness advocacy, policies and strategies.

Council Member

Simon Ashton is a registered Australian Physiotherapist with a passion for supporting the community along their health and wellbeing journey. He graduated from Monash University with Advanced Research Honours. He has experience in and is enthusiastic in managing chronic and complex health conditions including: long-standing persistent pain, congenital issues, degenerative conditions, chronic illness, pre and post operative rehabilitation, sports injuries, and general aches and pains.

Simon works in a busy General Practice centre and understands the relationship between patients, GPs and Physios in the community.

Council Member

Jason Zheng is a final year medical student at the University of Melbourne who will be a first-year doctor at Peninsula Health at the start of 2023. He has developed a passion for chronic pain management, having seen the effects of chronic pain in his family.

He hopes to help bridge the divide between current clinical outcomes and the preferred clinical outcomes for patients, through changes in the medical curriculum.

In his free time, you’ll find him riding his bike and playing with his dog.

APMA Chief Executive Officer

Established in the APMA community, Renee’s role as Chair is to bring together the vision of the Board of Directors, elevate the consumer voice and drive the PAC to deliver agreed priorities.

Council Member

Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO has had a lengthy and illustrious career of more than 40 years in medical practice, health policy and medical education. His academic contributions, consisting of more than 90 published journal articles and textbooks, demonstrate his ongoing commitment to the development of research and education across a number of fields including pathology, social and preventive medicine, and veterans’ health. Ken’s work with AIDS control and veterans’ health will long stand as his greatest achievements.

Ken has been Patron and Director of APMA since the organisation commenced.