Spotlight on hepatitis B | 2020

The Spotlight on hepatitis B is an annual workforce development initiative coordinated by the Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance (VHBA).

** Registration for Session #1 does not automatically sign you up for the other webinars. You must individually register for each session you wish to attend **

Each year the Spotlight aims to improve the treatment, management and care of people living with chronic hepatitis B.  

World Hepatitis Day is on the 28th July, with the theme: Finding the Missing Millions. This year we will be delivering a series of four webinars:

Session #1 - Hepatitis B basics: Who is affected, how to prevent it and priority communities 
Date: Thursday 16^th July, 12 - 1pm
Presenters:  
Jennifer MacLachlan | Epidemiologist, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Doherty Institute 
Gabrielle Bennett | Clinical Nurse Consultant, Victorian Viral Hepatitis Educator, St Vincent's Hospital

Session #2 - Clinical care: Chronic hepatitis B testing and management
Date: Tuesday 21^st July, 12 – 1pm
Presenters:  
Dr Nicole Allard | GP, cohealth, Medical Epidemiologist, Doherty Institute
Vicki Muscat | Chronic Disease Management Nurse, cohealth

Session #3 - Structural challenges influencing hepatitis B care
Date: Tuesday 28^th July, 12 – 1pm
Presenters:  
Uyen Vo | HepSpeaker, Hepatitis Victoria
Dr Chris Lemoh | Infectious Diseases Physician, Monash Health 
Hope Mathumbu | Public Health and Community Development Professional, Victorian African Health Action Network (VAHAN)


Session #4 - Panel discussion - Finding the missing millions: Improving hepatitis B care
Date: Thursday 6^th August, 12 – 1pm
Presenters:  
Introduction by Elizabeth Birbilis | Senior Policy Officer, Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
Chaired by Prof. Ben Cowie | Infectious diseases physician and epidemiologist, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis

Dr Thomas Tu | Person with a lived experience, Senior Researcher, Westmead Institute
Suzanne Wallis | Rural Sexual Health Nurse Practitioner, Goulburn Valley Health
Dr Lester Mascarenhas | General Practitoner Refugee Health, Utopia

These webinars will be held on Zoom. They will be recorded and be made publicly available. 

Attendees will be provided with a certificate of attendance. 


Who should attend?
These webinars are tailored to the education and training needs of:

• People working with communities affected by hepatitis B
• Health workers, midwives, community workers, clinicians
• Policy makers and researchers

People living with hepatitis B and not working in these settings are warmly encouraged to attend.


Who is the VHBA?
The Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance (VHBA) is an independent, multi-disciplinary community of practice that aims to build momentum behind the Victorian response to hepatitis B. VHBA formed in 2008. We consist of both individual members and organisational representatives, including multicultural and Indigenous health and social services, clinical service providers, researchers, community health services and individuals with an interest in hepatitis B. The multi-disciplinary nature of VHBA creates a unique opportunity for networking and exchange of information and expertise. If you would like to become a member, please email: jennifer.maclachlan@mh.org.au