MedConnect | Putting the brakes on dementia

Professor Graeme Samuel AC

Professor Graeme Samuel AC is a professor in Monash University’s Business School and School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine. He is chair of the Dementia Australia Board and chairs the Australian Dementia Network Ltd (ADNet); Dementia Australia Research Foundation; National Network of Comprehensive Dementia Centres Steering Group (co-chair); Built Environment Compliance Pty Ltd; Synthesis Capital Strategic Advisory Board; and Airlines for Australia and New Zealand.

His former roles include chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, associate member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority and president of the National Competition Council. He was chair of the Commonwealth Government's Panel of Review of Australia's Independent Medical Research Institutes and advisor to the Commonwealth Department of Health in its review of private health insurance. In 2010 he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through contributions in economic reform and competition law, and to the community through leadership roles with sporting and cultural organisations.

Dr Stephanie Ward

Dr Stephanie Ward is a UNSW Senior Research Fellow from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). Stephanie is a geriatrician who is passionate about improving the quality of diagnosis and care for people living with dementia. She is the clinical and initiative lead for the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) Clinical Quality Registry at UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). ADNeT is a nationwide initiative bringing together consumers, clinicians and researchers to improve research opportunities and clinical care for those at risk of and living with dementia. Dr Ward’s clinical practice inspires her to engage in several studies investigating the mechanisms of, or prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia. One such recent area of interest is the role of intergenerational contact in healthy ageing and she was the expert geriatrician on the award-winning ABC series Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds.

Tegan Taylor

Tegan Taylor is a multi-award-winning broadcaster for the ABC with a strong interest in health and science. She hosts Life Matters on Radio National as well as the cheeky health podcast What’s That Rash? Previously, she’s hosted Radio National’s Health Report, Quick Smart, Ockham’s Razor and Coronacast. She’s received a Walkley Award, the Eureka Prize for Science Journalism, and her work has appeared in the annual Best of Australian Science Writing anthology, of which she was the co-editor in 2025.