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
Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety)
The ‘Ngangk Ngabala Ngoonda (Sun Safety) of Aboriginal young mob of WA’ is a community-led project that aims to identify the sun safety needs and strengthen sun safety knowledge of Aboriginal Children and Young People in Western Australia.
January 2025
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.