Orators and Keynote Speakers

Dr Michael Robson is the Besins Healthcare Keynote Speaker and is a distinguished medical professional, who completed his training and earned his MBBS at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, England, in 1982. With a rich background in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Robson served as a Consultant at Wycombe General Hospital, England, from 1995 to 2004. During this period, he also held the esteemed position of Clinical Director from 1995 to 2001. Following his impactful tenure in England, Dr Robson assumed the role of Master at The National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, serving from 2005 to 2011. Currently, he holds the position of Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, overseeing a hospital that delivers 8000 babies annually. Dr Robson's primary focus revolves around the meticulous management of labor and ensuring the safe delivery of both mother and baby. His expertise extends to organizational aspects of the labor ward, encompassing teaching, audit, and research. Dr Robson's publications predominantly center around the audit of labor and delivery, with a specific research interest in the aetiology of dystocic labor. Notably, Dr Robson serves as the National Clinical Director for the development and implementation of a National Electronic Patient Record for maternity, neonates, and gynaecology in Ireland. His commitment to advancements in healthcare is further evident through the development of an Intrapartum Audit Software Programme, aligned with the philosophy and structure of the Ten Group Classification System.

Dr Marie Vikström Bolin, MD, PhD, is the Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation Keynote Speaker and stands as a prominent figure in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, currently serving as the Regional Clinical Director of Maternity Care in Västernorrland, Sweden. Her extensive contributions include a pivotal role as a board member of the Swedish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, where she oversees clinical quality registries. Dr Vikström Bolin has demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing healthcare. She has been actively involved in the Swedish Pregnancy Registry for numerous years and serves as a member of the Swedish National Quality Registry of Gynaecological Surgery reference group. Her passion for education, training, and quality improvement in healthcare is evident in her multifaceted engagement. Driven by this interest, she actively participates in the midwifery program at Mid Sweden University, imparts knowledge to medical students at Umeå University, co-authors the latest edition of the Swedish textbook of Obstetrics, and contributes to the development of a web-based pelvic floor training program catering to midwives and obstetricians alike. Notably, Dr Vikström Bolin has served as an expert advisor for the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services. She is also a valuable member of the governance group overseeing the National "Safe Labour and Birth care" project, dedicated to the reduction of birth trauma in Sweden. Her expansive expertise and commitment to advancing maternal and reproductive healthcare make her an influential figure in the Swedish medical community.

Dr Kati Taghavi completed an MD-PhD in epidemiology investigating the secondary prevention of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan among women living with HIV (WLWH). She used observational studies to highlight gaps within screening programs, systematic reviews to explore potential solutions to these gaps, and conducted a screening test accuracy study to investigate the efficacy of a novel screening method (the Gynocular™) which was the first of its type among WLWH in Zambia. Kati’s research has since evolved into further projects. In Zambia, her team have received funding for the 5^th year of follow-up in the screening test accuracy study, allowing an evaluation of long-term outcomes and the dynamics of HPV infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among closely screened WLWH. In Zimbabwe, following a finding of reduced treatment efficacy in the observational study of her PhD, her team have received funding to explore treatment failure and tests to measure treatment efficacy among WLWH who carry the highest burden of disease globally.  In addition, Kati has been a consultant in the WHO’s 2021 cervical screening and treatment guidelines and currently works on the European Commission Initiative on Cervical Cancer (EC-CvC).

Moananu Dr Karaponi Okesene-Gafa is a distinguished Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Auckland. Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa has made significant contributions to the field of women's health, both in academia and clinical practice. Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa earned their MBChB degree, setting the stage for an illustrious career ahead. Following this, she pursued specialised training, obtaining a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Dip O&G) and subsequently achieving Fellowship status with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG). Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa went on to attain her Ph.D., delving deeper into her research interests in obesity, diabetes excessive weight gain in pregnancy and as endometrial cancer. Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa’s commitment to excellence in patient care led her to serve as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Middlemore Hospital, located in South Auckland. Beyond clinical practice, Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa is also Co-director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, the Centre of Pacific and Global Health. Her involvement in the Pacific Health initiative at the University of Auckland underscores her dedication to addressing health disparities in underserved communities. In recognition of their leadership and expertise, Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa  was elected as the President/Chair of the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health, serving from September 2022 to March 2024.  Her tenure was marked by initiatives aimed at advancing reproductive health rights and improving access to quality care for Pacific Islanders. Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa also plays a pivotal role as the Pacific representative in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) New Zealand committee, advocating for policies that promote equitable healthcare practices. Moreover, Moananu Dr Okesene-Gafa’s influence extends to the national level, as she actively participates in the New Zealand National Clinical Governance group and the Pacific Health Senate at Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand.