National Executive - General Practice Students Network

The National Executive team is an elected body made up of GPSN members from all over Australia.

The main role of the National Executive is to provide leadership and direction to the network. Together with the GPSN University Chairs, the National Executive Team also forms the GPSN National Council.

The GPSN National Council meet in person at least once yearly to discuss and plan GPSN activities and strategy, and to share ideas for the future. Throughout the year, they meet regularly through video conferencing. Major projects for the network’s leadership include: events, camps, promotions, and news publications.

Appointments to the National Executive are yearlong terms. All GPSN members can apply for a position; applications to the National Executive usually open around October each year. Applicants are asked to submit a CV and a statement addressing their skills, passions and experience.

The successful candidate for each position is decided by votes from the National Executive.
The GPSN National Executive is a great way for medical students interested in general practice to gain practical experience in governance, policy, and leadership.

As GPSN is supported by GPRA, the national peak body for GP registrars, the National Executive is well supported in their roles. As the future of general practice in Australia, being on the National Executive gives GPSN members the chance to shape the future of healthcare.

Members of the 2025 GPSN National Executive

National Chair – 3rd year Bond University medical student
Kei Hsieh

chair@gpsn.org.au

Hello, my name is Kei and it’s a privilege to be your GPSN National Chair for 2025.

2024 has been a fantastic year for GPSN, filled with a variety of amazing local and statewide events along with some big steps forward in national advocacy. As we wrap up the year, I want to extend a huge congratulations to the 2024 GPSN National Executive team. Thank you for the passion, dedication and countless hours you have all put towards GPSN. We’re excited to carry forward the legacy you’ve built upon and continue making an impact towards improving general practice for students across Australia.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve you all as National Chair. Together with the National Executive team, I’m looking forward to supporting and strengthening this amazing community that we are fortunate to be a part of.

What is in store for 2025? We’re gearing up for another exciting year for GPSN! There are so many events to look forward to from our local clubs, with everything from GP speaker nights and Procedural Skills Workshops to a variety of social events. There’ll be plenty of chances to learn, meet new people, and explore interests within general practice. GPSN has positively shaped so much of my medical school experience, so if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to reach out to your local club and see how you can get involved!

With the end of the academic calendar fast approaching, I want to wish you all the very best in your end of year exams. I hope that you all take care to prioritise your health and wellbeing alongside your studies and find some moments to relax and recharge.

Thank you all, and I’m looking forward to working with you in the coming year.

National Vice-Chair – 4th year Bond University medical student
Amir Zabihi

vc@gpsn.org.au

Hello everyone, my name is Amir and I am honoured to be the GPSN National Vice-Chair for 2025.

Concluding my 2nd year serving as part of my local GPSN team, it has been amazing to see the work that has been uniform across all of GPSN. From a national level to the local club level, our passion for advocating, supporting and promoting general practice has been incredible to witness and be a part of. A massive congratulations to the 2024 National Executive team for an amazing year and thank you for all the work that has been done to help better GPSN.

As we head into the final stretch of the year, I hope we all can find time to relax and recoup before an exciting 2025 awaits. I know that we have a busy but fulfilling year ahead of us. Thank you once again for this opportunity and it fills me with pride to be able to work alongside Kei and the rest of the National Executive to further what this amazing network has already achieved.

National Secretary
Siaw Yee Chew – University of Western Australia

ns@gpsn.org.au

Hello, I’m Siaw and I’m honoured to be a part of the GPSN National Executive team. I have always been interested in general practice since considering a career in medicine. I appreciate the variety it offers, from establishing long-term relationships with patients over the life span and managing diverse health needs. My vision for GPSN over the next year is to continue building on the collaborative nature of the network, where we can share knowledge, provide opportunities for hands-on learning, and contribute to discussions on current healthcare challenges. I hope we can create a supportive environment that inspires confidence in pursuing general practice as a fulfilling career path for future doctors.

National Sponsorship Officer
Phoebe Chong (James Cook University)

sponsorship@student.gpra.org.au

Hi there, my name is Phoebe and I’m excited to be your GPSN Sponsorship Officer for 2025.

I’ve always had a passion for the field of General Practice, which has been deepened through my medical school placements and involvement with GPSN. These experiences have highlighted the vital role that GPs play as the first point-of-contact for patients, demonstrating holistic care and community health. I also love the diversity and flexibility that comes with being a GP – from skin cancer medicine, to women’s health and mental health!

As the National Sponsorship Officer, my goal is to be able to assist in acquiring support for various events on a local and national level. It is through these wonderful GPSN events that students are empowered to learn more about the breadth of General Practice and what it has to offer.

Local Events Officer
Stella Schneckenburger (Deakin University)

leo@gpsn.org.au

Hello! I’m Stella (she/her), an international student from Canada who loves listening to music, dancing, and chilling outdoors. I am passionate about getting into the field of general practice because it will allow me to consider the whole patient beyond their disease in my everyday work, and how other aspects of self – such as sexuality, gender, culture, and more – interplay in a patient’s interactions with healthcare and how I can thus provide the best possible care to each individual. I also love getting to know people long-term, and we all know that General Practice is the best specialty for long-term patient-provider relationships!

As Local Events Officer, my visions and goals for GPSN national throughout 2025 are to work with each university’s GPSN team to tailor events that can inspire their particular constituents to get involved in the field of general practice – after all, the same aspects of GP are not going to inspire rurally-located students and city folk alike, amongst other aspects of diversity between GPSN locations. I would also like to encourage teams across the country to consider new and creative events beyond traditional careers nights and socials, such as incorporating GP special interests into events, events focussing on Rural Generalism, and events outlining the financial aspects of running a practice, as med school tends to leave out this very important part of career planning.

Overall, I can’t wait to engage with everyone throughout the year – stay inspired and stay curious, folks!

National Events & Projects Officer
Ashna Mali – Bond University

neo@gpsn.org.au

Hi I’m Ashna, alongside uni I love dance and enjoying the Gold Coast’s beaches. I was most interested in General Practice as a speciality after hearing the experiences of GPs during the events that Bond GPSN runs. Many of the doctors talked about how their communities rely on them and trust them to take care of them and their families. Many GPs have built personal relationships with the community they work in and that is something I would like to have in the future. GPs also have the opportunity to continually expand on their skills and practice in many different areas of health. I love the variety that General Practice offers and would enjoy exploring it further with like-minded medical students from across Australia. I am looking forward to running events that explore all areas of General Practice in a social and engaging way that students will enjoy.

National Working Group Officer
Avni Aggarwal & Shreya Karunakara – University of Tasmania

wgo@gpsn.org.au

Hey! We are Avni and Shreya! We are low-key obsessed with Taytay, enjoy running away from our problems by going on hikes, and like trying new foods that we can’t pronounce! The easiest way to spot us is at a cafe in Hobart!

We are both very enthusiastic about General Practice. As part of our GP placements, we were able to sit in on consults, interact with patients and see firsthand the clinical expertise that GPs possess. These experiences have helped further our interest in GP and make us eager to learn what goes on behind the doctor’s chair. However, our eyes were opened to the issues that exist in General Practice. The long waiting times, lack of resources, and the negative perception of GPs both amongst patients as well as in hospitals, have made us determined to do something to help. We recognise that GPs are the essential middle people between the general population and health services.

We want to spread awareness about the amazing and essential work GPs do! In particular, we want to let more medical students know about the wonderful world of rural generalism! So keen to work with all the amazing people on the 2025 GPSN team!

Promotions and Publications Officer
Selina Zhang – University of Melbourne

publications@student.gpra.org.au

Hello! I’m Selina, a 3rd-year medical student passionate about preventative health, patient-centered care, and holistic well-being. I’m drawn to General Practice because it provides a unique opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients and support them through diverse health challenges and stages of life. My goal within GPSN is to foster a supportive, inclusive community that empowers medical students to explore and appreciate the breadth of general practice.

Over my tenure, I hope to enhance GPSN’s role in promoting preventative health and well-being, with a focus on culturally safe and accessible healthcare for all. By collaborating on educational initiatives and organising events that highlight the versatility and rewards of general practice, I aim to inspire future doctors to consider this meaningful path and to equip them with the skills to make a positive impact in primary care.

The National Executive team is an elected body made up of GPSN members from all over Australia.

Members of the 2025 GPSN National Executive

National Chair – 3rd year Bond University medical student Kei Hsieh

National Vice-Chair – 4th year Bond University medical student Amir Zabihi

National Secretary Siaw Yee Chew – University of Western Australia

National Sponsorship Officer Phoebe Chong (James Cook University)

Local Events Officer Stella Schneckenburger (Deakin University)

National Events & Projects Officer Ashna Mali – Bond University

National Working Group Officer Avni Aggarwal & Shreya Karunakara – University of Tasmania

Promotions and Publications Officer Selina Zhang – University of Melbourne