Academic Achievements
Dr Chandran’s academic journey is characterized by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and excellence:
- Masters Clinical Education, University of Melbourne, current
- Associate Fellowship (AFRACMA), Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, 2021
- Masters Health Administration, Monash University, 2020
- GAICD, Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2020
- FRACP 2011, MRCP 2007, MBBS (University of Melbourne 2002)
- Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education, University of Melbourne, 2018
- PhD in Renal Transplantation, Monash University, 2017
- Clinical Fellowship in Renal Transplantation, Toronto University, 2016
Educational Training
Dr Chandran has a passion for medical education exemplified by her many educational roles across several organisations:
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Program Director of the inaugural leadership course of RACP:
Dr Chandran designed, created, and delivered the successful workshop in 2023, targeting mid-career physicians. She is currently working on the best way forward to reproduce the workshop on an ongoing basis. -
Program Director, Annual Postgraduate Course of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN):
Dr Chandran organises and hosts the popular and well attended course of about 40 lectures, catering to the educational needs of nephrology trainees, consultants as well as allied health and nurses across the Asia-Pacific. - Victorian Coordinator and Nephrology lead of the College Lecture Series, a repository of lectures to help trainees prepare for the basic FRACP examinations and to support general physicians.
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FRACP examiner:
Dr Chandran makes time to be an FRACP examiner on a yearly basis at Epworth Richmond. She previously organised the first set of FRACP examination at Dandenong Hospital and examined and gave tutorials to FRACP candidates at both Eastern and Monash Health. - Teaching of medical students at Epworth Clinical School affiliated with the University of Melbourne. Dr Chandran delivers bed side tutorials as well as tutorials on professional practice and participates in the examinations of medical students at Epworth Richmond.
Leadership Roles
Dr Chandran has been Board Director of RACP since 2021. She was previously Board Director of the Kerang District Health and Leongatha Hospital. She is Chair of the Wellbeing and Fellowship Committee of the College and Chair of the Education Committee of the Society of Nephrology.
Research
Dr Chandran holds a PhD in renal transplantation and multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals including in the American Journal Transplantation. Dr Chandran is currently involved in medical education research through her Masters Clinical Education at the University of Melbourne.
Fellowship Matters
As chair of the fellowship committee, Dr Chandran strongly advocated for and had governance over the revision of the flexible policy of the college and continues to encourage its implementation across training sites. Dr Chandran led the revision of the recognition of member contribution policy which led to supervisors across Australia and New Zealand being recognised for their efforts during the COVID Pandemic. Dr Chandran is currently working on the review of the member benefits package.
Policy and Advocacy
As chair of the wellbeing committee of RACP, Dr Chandran continues to advocate for greater investment in wellbeing and anti-bullying initiatives for trainees and fellows at the level of the college and within the workplace.
As a member of the executive committee of the Adult Medicine Division IAMD) and chair of the Education and Training Committee of the Society of Nephrology, Dr Chandran works towards greater collaboration and partnership between specialist societies and the college.
As the student representative on the Academic Curriculum Committee of the Masters in Clinical education at the University of Melbourne, Dr Chandran maintains perspective of the needs of trainees and students.
Governance and Risk Management
Dr Chandran has completed the AICD Company Director’s course as well as several of the AICD courses on governance and risk. Through her leadership roles, Dr Chandran has become familiar with governance of member organisations as well as hospitals.
Strategy and Project Management
As Board Director of the college and 2 hospitals, Dr Chandran has contributed to the development of the strategy of each organisation. As Chair of the Wellbeing Committee, she led the creation wellbeing strategy in 2023 with a strong focus on tangible initiatives for members. Dr Chandran has led the creation of numerous educational resources as well as fellowship projects including the ROC, member benefits package and the mentor program of the college.
Financial
Dr Chandran has gained financial expertise through the AICD courses as well as through the Associate Fellowship of RACMA and the Masters Health Administration and she has acquired experience as board director of 2 hospitals and the college as well as the financial management of her private practice.
Legal
As presiding member at Medical Panels, Safercare, Victoria, Dr Chandran work closely with lawyers in writing medicolegal reports and frequently attend educational sessions on legal matters. As board director of RACP, Dr Chandran has become very familiar with the legal environment that impacts the college and its future.
Information Technology
As a board director, Dr Chandran is acutely aware of the need for increased cyber security and investment in modern information technology and have supported the investment of the college in IT reforms particularly after the failures of the examinations.
Indigenous and Cultural Awareness
Dr Chandran has worked in several multicultural countries; England, Scotland and Canada as well as several states in Australia. Dr Chandran was born and brought up in Mauritius. She is the descendant of Indian indentured labourers and understands the impact of colonisation. Dr Chandran has completed the Arilla Cultural program as well as the Koorie heritage trust program. Through her role as board director of RACP, Dr Chandran has attended a cultural day in a Marae in Wellington.
Awards
Dr Chandran has been consistently recognized for her outstanding contributions.
- Young Investigator Award of ANZSN (Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology)
- Young Investigator Award of TSANZ (Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand)
- Young Investigator Award at the World Transplant Congress, San Francisco
- JACQUOT Research Entry Scholarship (RACP, 2013): Recognition of innovative research during the PhD journey.
- Medical Scholarship from AusAID which allowed Dr Chandran to pursue a career in medicine.
Personal
Outside of work, Dr Chandran is devoted to her 3 girls and her flower garden. She is also a passionate baker and traveller.
