The MSCAN Board have all been personally impacted by skin cancer and have come together to ensure Australians are skin serious.
The MSCAN Board is a strong team with complimentary skills in patient advocacy and support, government policy, pharmaceutical industry knowledge, finance and marketing.
Tamara Dawson
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
After a serious melanoma diagnosis and successful treatment in 2015, I became increasingly involved as a melanoma consumer / advocate. I soon identified a gap – so much more could be done to help address the needs of skin cancer patients, from early detection through to coping with a serious diagnosis, as well as more funding for research and a committed advocacy approach. Early on, I wanted to know that people were advocating for me in the halls of Parliament House in Canberra and elsewhere!
After years of research, consultation and strategic planning, I’m proud to have established Australia’s only national, independent, consumer led organisation for people affected by a skin cancer diagnosis.
A career in government policy, economics, international trade and corporate affairs combined with an eagerness to use these skills in the skin cancer community, has led to the establishment of MSCAN.
I am proud to tell skin cancer patients that there is an organisation that’s “got your back” with linkages to leading medical professionals and researchers in Australia and globally, and consumer organisations around the world.
Skin cancer is Australia’s national cancer and more needs to be done, collaboratively, to tackle all forms of the disease.
Hayley Andersen
DIRECTOR
Following a Bachelor of Science majoring in Microbiology and Psychology at Melbourne University and post-graduate studies in Information Technology, I worked in a variety of management roles before entering the health sector. My role as the Head of Patient Advocacy at Bristol Myers-Squibb, allows me to bring patient perspectives to company decisions and actively support the patient voice in health decision making. Having lost my father to melanoma more than 20 years ago when he was just 48 years old, I am driven to make a difference for others affected by the disease.
Professor Alan Cooper AM
Director
I was diagnosed with stage III melanoma in 2013, and despite multiple surgeries and two trials of experimental treatment it progressed to stage IV. The melanoma eventually responded to a combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy which commenced in early 2017.
At the time of diagnosis I was Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Northern Clinical School of the University of Sydney, and Head of the Department of Dermatology at Royal North Shore Hospital. Over the years I have served in a number of capacities in The Australasian College of Dermatologists and have been involved in the training and assessment of medical students and dermatology advanced trainees. I supervised a research unit and was involved in fund raising for dermatology research through state, national and international foundations.
Darren Dawson
DIRECTOR
As a Director of MSCAN I aim to ensure all those effected by melanoma and skin cancer in Australia receive the best possible level of care. My wife was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in 2015 and my father with an invasive squamous cell carcinoma in 2016. I can relate to the journey that so many families in Australia take when they receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. I believe MSCAN can play an important role as the voice of patients and their families.
I have worked in banking and finance for over 25 years and am a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Professor Geoff McColl
DIRECTOR
I am an Emeritus Professor and the former Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland (UQ). Prior to my role at UQ, I served as the Head of the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne, my alma mater, where I led the development and implementation of the Melbourne MD program.
Currently, I serve as the President of the Australian Medical Council. My previous leadership roles include Chair of its Medical School Assessment Committee, Chair of the Therapeutic Goods Administration Advisory Committee on Medicines and member of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Being involved with MSCAN is rewarding and fulfilling as we work to change the skin cancer landscape to ensure Australians have access to the best skin cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care.
Liz Marshall
DIRECTOR
Skin cancer is no stranger to my family with both my father and maternal aunt having received a melanoma diagnosis while in their fifties. Hence when I noticed a suspicious looking lesion on my forearm, I quickly sought medical advice. The lesion was diagnosed as stage 1 melanoma and surgically removed. Regular skin checks since then have identified several more early-stage melanomas. So, awareness and early detection of skin cancers are passions of mine!
My career is founded in healthcare, initially as a Registered Nurse and then associated with the pharmaceutical industry. More recent work has included supporting patient and consumer engagement in health technology assessment processes. I am excited by MSCAN’s work in advocacy and influencing policy development to address all forms of skin cancer in Australia.