AFR Healthcare Summit 2025 | The Australian Financial Review | 6 April 2025 | Hilton Sydney, 488 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Australia’s world-class healthcare system faces unprecedented challenges as an ageing population and rising chronic illness strain resources. Yet, amidst these hurdles, groundbreaking advancements in clinical care and technology are revolutionizing patient treatment. From innovative weight-loss drugs to the shift towards telehealth and home care, and progress in nuclear medicine and gene therapy, new solutions are emerging. While Australia has historically excelled in the medical field with giants like CSL, Cochlear, and ResMed, a fresh wave of biotechs, device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies are now making their mark on the global stage.

As GP shortages and hospital waiting lists reach critical levels, the focus is shifting towards preventative health and fundamental system reforms. Private hospitals are grappling with financial pressures as disputes with health insurers escalate. The Financial Review Healthcare Summit will dissect these dramatic changes affecting Australia’s vital healthcare industry. It will explore the trends and challenges reshaping how Australians combat disease and strive for longer, healthier lives, examining whether the nation can maintain its world-class healthcare status in the face of these evolving demands.

2025 Speakers

MODERATORS:

Michelle Bowes
Wealth Reporter, The Australian Financial Review

John Kehoe
Economics Editor, The Australian Financial Review

Anthony Macdonald
Chanticleer Columnist, The Australian Financial Review

Cosima Marriner
Editor, The Australian Financial Review

Michael Smith
Health Editor, The Australian Financial Review

Paul Smith
Technology Editor, The Australian Financial Review

Jemima Whyte
Senior Reporter, The Australian Financial Review

SPEAKERS:

Chris Blake
CEO, St Vincent's

Martin Bowles
National CEO, Calvary Health Care

Mark Butler
Minister for Health & Aged Care

Annie Butler
Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation

James Chessell
Editor-In-Chief, The Australian Financial Review

Ed Close
CEO & Managing Director, nib

Nick Coatsworth
Ambassador for Health Reform, Australian Patients Association

Rachel David
CEO, Private Healthcare Australia

Natalie Davis
CEO & Managing Director, Ramsay Health Care

Travis Grant
Health Industry Lead ANZ, Accenture

Ian Hickie
Co-director of Health & Policy, Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney

Dig Howitt
CEO, Cochlear

Silviu Itescu
Chief Executive & Managing Director, Mesoblast

David Koczkar
CEO, Medibank

Robyn Littlewood
CEO, Health and Wellbeing Queensland

Pat McGorry
Executive Director & Psychiatrist, Orygen, National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health

Cem Ozenc
Corporate Vice President & General Manager, Novo Nordisk Oceania

Teena Pisarev
CEO, Nucleus Network

Julian Rait
Vice President, Australian Medical Association

Anne Ruston
Shadow Minister for Health & Aged Care

Alan Taylor
Executive Chairperson, Clarity Pharmaceuticals

Aengus Tran
Co-founder & CEO, Harrison.ai

Andrew Wilson
Group Chief Medical Officer, Medibank

Michael Wright
President, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Ted Wu
Director of Diabetes Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

2025 Partners

PRESENTING PARTNER:
• Novo Nordisk

PLATINUM PARTNERS:
• Medibank
• Accenture
• Calvary