Trainee Positions At Western Health
Western Health
Department of Neurology
176, Furlong Road
St Albans Vic 3021
Australia
VIC, 3021
Australia
Contact Details
Prof. Tissa Wijeratne
tissa.wijeratne@wh.org.au
Phone : (03) 8345 6070
www : http://www.westernhealth.org.au/Services/Neurology_and_Stroke/Pages/default.aspx
Positions
Training Positions : Two
Elective Training Positions : One
Fellowships : One
Core Position Descriptions
Twelve months in Neurology and Stroke
The workload is shared between five registrars: two advanced trainees; one basic physician trainee (BPT); and two advanced trainees in general medicine undertaking subspecialty training in neurology. In addition, the team is supported by four HMOs, one dedicated stroke intern, one dedicated neurology intern, and one or two neurology fellows.
The two ANZAN-accredited advanced trainees rotate through one month each of stroke and neurology, providing overall leadership to the junior neurology and stroke team, comprising 10 junior medical staff. This is done under the supervision of the Director of Neurology and Stroke.
Advanced trainees are actively involved in all aspects of patient care, including inpatient management, consults, and after-hours responsibilities, in alignment with the ANZAN Advanced Training Committee (ATC) curriculum.
The inpatient workload covers the management of over 2,000 admissions annuallyapproximately half are patients with neurological disorders and the other half with stroke or TIA.
There are multiple outpatient clinics, including general neurology, acute neurology, stroke, TIA, epilepsy, first seizure, MS, and movement disorders. Importantly, two neurology clinics and one EMG clinic per week are dedicated for advanced trainee development.
Neurophysiology exposure includes four weekly EMG sessions, three EEG reading sessions, and one inpatient video-EEG reporting session. The department also supports strong academic engagement through weekly grand rounds, journal clubs, neuroradiology meetings, two audits, and a general medical grand round.
Elective Position Descriptions
Elective Opportunities in Neurology – Research-Focused Pathways
The Department of Neurology at Western Health offers a range of elective positions with a strong emphasis on academic neurology and translational research. Current areas of focus include neuroimmunology, supported by a thriving La Trobe University–Western Health PhD partnership, with four active PhD students engaged in cutting-edge projects. Additional electives are available in artificial intelligence applications in neurology, epilepsy, migraine, and novel biomarker discovery. The department maintains an active research culture, currently supervising 13 PhD students across partnerships with several leading Australian universities. Elective candidates are encouraged to integrate clinical experience with research exposure, contributing to high-impact studies that aim to transform the future of neurological care.
Hospital Information
Western Health – A Rapidly Expanding Hub for Future Neurology
Western Health serves one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most culturally diverse populations, with a catchment of nearly 2 million people across Melbourne’s western suburbs. As part of an $8 billion healthcare network in the making, Western Health is poised to deliver world-class neurological care and training opportunities for the next generation of neurologists.
The centrepiece of this transformation is the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital, set to open in late 2025, which will feature state-of-the-art EMG and video-EEG laboratories—offering exceptional diagnostic and research capabilities in a fully integrated academic environment.
Sunshine Hospital remains the main hub for neurology and most major medical subspecialties and is a principal teaching site for the University of Melbourne. It is supported by Williamstown Hospital and the existing Western Hospital (Footscray), both of which have busy emergency departments and provide acute and subacute care.
Western Health also benefits from access to neurosurgery services on site, advanced imaging, and neuropathology support via Melbourne Health. With unprecedented opportunities for clinical care, research, and innovation, this region is rapidly becoming a flagship model for community-focused, high-quality neurological services in Australia.
For aspiring neurologists and healthcare professionals, Western Health offers an unparalleled environment to train, grow, and make a lasting impact on brain health in one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in the country.
Department Beds :
25 including four acute stroke beds.
Department Clinics
Neurology and Acute Neurology.
Department Specialty Clinics
TIA. First Seizure. Epilepsy. Movement Disorders. Stroke. EMG, EEG.
Department Meetings
Weekly neurology meeting at Sunshine Hospital on Tuesday.
Weekly journal club at Sunshine Hospital on Tuesday.
Weekly neurology meeting at Royal Melbourne Hospital on Wednesday morning.
Weekly neuroradiology meeting on Friday.
Twice weekly neurology audit: Tuesday and Friday.
Four weekly NCS/EMG teaching sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Three weekly EEG teaching and reading sessions.
One weekly inpatient video-EEG telemetry meeting.
Department Staff
Department Staff
Prof Tissa Wijeratne OAM MD PhD . Director , Department of Neurology & Stroke Service . Special interest: Brain health Stroke , headache medicine , Movements disorders, education and research
Dr Daniel Barber -Movement disorders
Dr Vimal Stanislaus MD PhD -Stroke Medicine
Dr Victor Chong. Special interest: Multiple Sclerosis, CNS infections.
Dr Nihara Rasheed MD : Stroke medicine, AF, Migraine
A/Prof Zelko Matkovic. Special interest: Epilepsy
Dr Hans Tu MD PhD . Special interest: Stroke, general neurology
Dr Simon Li. Special interest: Neurophysiology and Epilepsy
Dr Simon Sung MD PhD . Special interest: Movement Disorders.
Dr Abhishek Malhotra: Special interest: Neurophysiology.
Dr Sujith Ayyappan: Special interest; Neurophysiology
Dr Martin Short MD PhD : Special interest;Multiple Sclerosis, neurophysiology
Dr Nyan Lynn: Special interest; Neurophysiology
Dr Kar Yan Lo: General neurology, Education & Training
Dr Cynthia Chen. Special interest: General neurology & Epilepsy
Junior Staff Positions In Neurology
Two advanced trainees in neurology.
Two advanced tainees in General Medicine on rotation to Neurology.
One Basic Physician Trainee on rotation to Neurology.
Four HMOs (2nd or 3rd year graduates).
One Stroke Intern
One Neurology Intern
One or two Neurology Fellows.
Trainee Responsibilities
Organising inpatient admissions, supervision of HMOs in the care of inpatients, attending outpatients, review of patients referred to the neurology unit, undertaking neurophysiology investigations under consultant supervision (four sessions per week), reading EEGs with consultant supervision, regular presentations at the Western Health neurology grand round and attendance at the at RMH weekly neurology grand round, participating in clinical trials, and attending multidisciplinary ward meetings with allied health staff.
The trainee is encouraged to attend relevant courses and meetings in Melbourne and elsewhere in Australia.
On call for Neurology: one in five.
Selection Criteria
As outlined by the ANZAN and RACP.
Philosophy Of Training
Our Philosophy in Training: Shaping Global Champions for Brain Health
At Western Health, our neurology training philosophy is rooted in a bold and inclusive vision: to train future leaders who are true champions of brain health, both in the clinic and in the community. We go beyond traditional medical training, cultivating neurologists who deliver high-quality, evidence-based neurological care with compassion, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to health equity.
Our mission is to ensure that every trainee learns how to provide person-centred, culturally sensitive care in one of Australia’s most vibrant and diverse populations. Through structured mentorship, hands-on experience, and collaborative practice, our advanced trainees develop the skills and values needed to deliver the best possible brain health across all ages and stages of life, leaving no suburb or community behind.
What sets our program apart is the unique opportunity to be part of something bigger. Under the leadership of Professor Tissa Wijeratne, Western Health has proudly led the World Brain Day campaign since its inception in 2014. From a small grassroots initiative to a global movement reaching over a billion people, we have championed brain health advocacy at the local, regional, and international levels.
Trainees who join us are not only immersed in world-class clinical training and academic excellence—they are also given a first-hand role in meaningful public health advocacy, policy engagement, and community outreach. Whether it's helping shape the future of brain health policy, participating in global campaigns through the World Federation of Neurology, or supporting local brain health education in under-resourced communities, our trainees are empowered to make a lasting impact.
We believe that brain health is everyone’s business, and we are committed to preparing a new generation of neurologists who will lead with equity, compassion, and global perspective—delivering hope, dignity, and quality care for all.
Neurology Training In State
Attendance of brain school activities on a Thursday morning and by video-conference link once per month on a Wednesday afternoon.
Other Information
Academic and Research Opportunities in Neurology at Western Health
Western Health's Department of Neurology has a vibrant and growing neuroscience research program, deeply committed to both academic excellence and public advocacy. We are actively engaged in promoting brain health through national and international initiatives, community outreach, and policy leadership.
Our Head of Department, Professor Tissa Wijeratne, also serves as the Director of Academic Medicine at the University Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Sunshine Hospital. Under his leadership, we offer a supportive and collaborative environment for prospective neurology trainees to pursue higher research degrees in areas such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuro-ophthalmology, neuroimmunology, and neurorehabilitation.
We maintain strong partnerships with the Department of Neurosciences at La Trobe University and the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, fostering interdisciplinary research across multiple clinical and academic platforms.
If you are interested in joining our academic neurology program or pursuing a PhD or Master’s degree in one of our focus areas, please contact our Academic Coordinator:
For broader discussions about our department, clinical opportunities, advocacy work, or to explore how you can contribute to our mission to promote brain health for all, please feel free to contact:
Professor Tissa Wijeratne
📧 tissa.wijeratne@unimelb.edu.au
🌐 www.tissawijeratne.net
Together, we are building a strong future for neurology—rooted in research, education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Further Online Information
http://www.westernhealth.org.au/Services/Neurology_and_Stroke/Pages/Key-Contacts.aspx