Introducing MMS Network
MMS Network is dedicated to amplifying the diverse voices within the Melbourne Medical School community. Hosted by Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Head of the Melbourne Medical School, MMS Network features engaging conversations with guests who are shaping the future of medicine and education.
Whether you’re a student, staff member, alumni, or simply curious about the Melbourne Medical School community, MMS Network has something for everyone.
Where to listen
New episodes are released fortnightly and are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
A Message From Our Host
One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Head of the Melbourne Medical School is the inspiring conversations I get to have with members from our School community, and it's clear these stories deserve a wider audience.
My hope is that each episode informs, inspires, and perhaps even surprises you. I invite you to tune in, reflect, and enjoy a few laughs as we explore the present and future of the Melbourne Medical School together.
Professor Sarath Ranganathan
Head, Melbourne Medical School
Episode Twelve | Art and Medicine at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Dr Tanishka Brahmanand, a Melbourne Medical School alum, Wattle Fellow, junior doctor and multidisciplinary artist whose work sits at the intersection of medicine, sustainability and creative expression. Together, they explore Tanishka’s career journey and her experiences as a Wattle Fellow. They also discuss the inspiration behind Do No Harm: Reflections on Healthcare, a public-facing exhibition curated by Tanishka in 2025 that explored planetary health consciousness and recognised the intrinsic link between human health and natural systems.
Episode Eleven | Clinical Research at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Associate Professor Elizabeth (Liz) Paratz, a Melbourne Medical School alum and clinician-scientist, combining her work as a cardiologist with a strong research focus. Together, they explore insights into balancing clinical practice with research, the evolving role of big data and artificial intelligence in cardiology, and advice for those starting out in clinical research. They also discuss her work in Timor-Leste, where she contributes to building cardiac care capacity and shaping national heart health strategies.
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Episode Ten | Innovation at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Professor Alice Pébay AM, Innovation Lead in the Melbourne Medical School and Professor Nicholas Opie, Laboratory Head in the Department of Medicine and founder of medical device company, Synchron. Together, they explore how innovation flourishes at the intersection of disciplines, trace the path from discovery to commercialisation, and share practical advice for those ready to take their first steps into the innovation space.
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Episode Nine | Medical Education at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Professor Anna Ryan, Head of the Department of Medical Education at Melbourne Medical School. As the leader of the team behind the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, Anna shares how the Department is driving innovation in medical education through research, scholarship and professional development. The discussion also highlights the opportunities, challenges, and rewards of educating and inspiring the next generation of doctors.
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Episode Eight | Mental Health Month: Supporting Student Wellbeing at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Cathy Garlett, Regional Indigenous Primary Health Practitioner (Metro) and Lisa Power, Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (Rural). Together, they explore what wellbeing means for our rural and Indigenous medical students - from navigating study and life balance to finding belonging, cultural connection, and support in both metro and rural settings.
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Episode Seven | Inside the Medical History Museum
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Dr Jacqueline Healy, Director of the Faculty Museums for Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, to uncover the fascinating stories behind the Medical History Museum. Discover how art, medicine and history intersect, and hear Dr Healy's vision for the museum. The Medical History Museum will reopen to visitors on Monday 29 September at its new location at 233 Bouverie Street, Carlton.
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Episode Six | Research at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan is joined by Professor Christobel Saunders AO, the James Stewart Chair of Surgery and Research Director of the Melbourne Medical School, for an engaging conversation about the School's research landscape. They discuss the many hats Christobel wears within the Parkville precinct, what inspired her to pursue a career in medicine, and our School's key research priorities.
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Episode Five | Healthcare Sustainability at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan is joined by Enterprise Professor Eugenie Kayak and Dr Ben Dunne who are driving change behind how we deliver sustainable healthcare. Together, they explore what healthcare sustainability really means, why Eugenie and Ben are passionate about this work, and how the School is supporting future doctors to become more environmentally responsible, starting from their first clinical placement.
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Episode Four | Narrative Medicine at the Melbourne Medical School
Professor Sarath Ranganathan is joined by Dr Mariam Tokhi and Dr Fiona Reilly to unpack narrative medicine. Mariam and Fiona co-lead Australia’s first Narrative Medicine subject, offered through the MD Discovery program at the Melbourne Medical School. Together, they’re inspiring future doctors to engage with the rich themes and complexities of medicine through the lens of creative writing and storytelling.
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Episode Three | Behind the scenes of the MD Student Conference
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Emma Klein and Athena Stathoulis, Doctor of Medicine (MD) students and co-convenors of the annual MD Student Conference - the Melbourne Medical School's largest student-led event. They discuss what it's like to bring together more than 1,400 future doctors for four days of keynotes, workshops, research presentations and social events.
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Episode Two | The Music of Medicine
Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with Associate Professor Phillip Antippa OAM - a cardiothoracic surgeon, distinguished alumnus of the Melbourne Medical School, accomplished musician, and the driving force behind Corpus Medicorum — Melbourne’s renowned orchestra of doctors. They dive into what inspired Phillip to pursue medicine, how he balances music with his surgical career, and the surprising ways music and medicine connect.
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Episode One | Future Doctors, Current Leaders: Meet our student voices
In the inaugural episode, Professor Sarath Ranganathan sits down with the newly appointed leaders of The University of Melbourne Medical Student Society (UMMSS): Lillian McCann, James Marchant and Samantha Ronfeldt. They reflect on the benefits of UMMSS, how students can get involved, and how the School and the Society work together.
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Acknowledgements
MMS Network is a product of the creativity and collaboration of the School’s in-house team, from concept to production. Thank you to the Melbourne Medical School staff who contributed their time and talent to bring this project to life:
- Professor Sarath Ranganathan - Head of the Melbourne Medical School (and composer of the MMS Network music)
- Gavin Nebauer - Sound Engineer
- Anna Furze - Senior Communications and Events Coordinator
- Misty Tommei - Online Engagement Officer