Heather-Lynn Kessaris
Honorary Team Member
BSc MD
heather-lynn.kessaris@thekids.org.au
Dr Heather-Lynn Kessaris is currently completing the Australian College of Dermatology Training Program and is the first Aboriginal registrar from Western Australia to undertake this training. Dr Kessaris has a background in population health and a keen interest in Dermatology and Aboriginal health and wellbeing research. Dr Kessaris was an active investigator on the Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin (KMHS) project, the first co-designed research-service delivery study to describe the skin health needs of urban-living Aboriginal children and young people. Emerging out of the KMHS study, Dr Kessaris is now co-leading the Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety) of Young Mob of WA project alongside Professor Asha Bowen.
Dr Kessaris holds a Bachelor of Science (Population Health and Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing) and Doctor of Medicine in from The University of Western Australia.
Education and Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine – The University of Western Australia
- Rural Clinical School WA, Kalgoorlie – The University of Western Australia
- Bachelor of Science (Population Health and Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing) – The University of Western Australia
Active Collaborations
- Member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
Projects
Moorditj Marp (Strong Skin) Evaluation and development of culturally relevant healthy skin storybooks
Co-designed and in collaboration with community members, the impacts of this project will directly benefit families by building awareness, empowering decision-making, and improving confidence around the recognition and management of skin conditions for Aboriginal children.