MEDrefer was founded in 2007 by Brian Sullivan, who - after hearing many GPs voice concerns they didn’t know the status of their patients referrals - recognised a greater need for transparency between GPs, their patients and referred specialists. Brian’s original vision was to reduce waiting times for patients by increasing the visibility of available specialists to referring practitioners.
Through the early production of working prototypes and continual engagement with General Practitioners and Specialists around Australia, the MEDrefer team has steadily refined its service to become what it is today - a unique online tool that streamlines the referral process for all involved and provides a reliable mechanism for GP’s to retain visibility over their outgoing patient referrals as they are provided care by the practitioners to whom they are being referred.
Today, MEDrefer has teams in Toowoomba and Brisbane, which include experienced software engineers, interaction designers and support staff who are devoted to continually improving MEDrefer for the benefit of all Australian practitioners and their patients.
The MEDrefer team
Brian Sullivan
Managing Director
Brian is the MEDrefer founder and developed the initial concept of MEDrefer in 2014, becoming aware of the difficulties of people in remote areas obtaining timely access to health services. He was educated at Downlands college Toowoomba before joining Qld DPI working in animal health and Biosecurity.
He subsequently transitioned to the commercial world with Bayer and ICI animal health, and then founded Range Media focusing on science communication for all rural industries. He is an experience outback aviator and rugby supporter.
He now devotes his working week to growing MEDrefer through partnerships and alliances.
Keith Dickmann
Developer
Keith joined the MEDrefer team in 2014 as one of the rare developers based in MEDrefer’s Toowoomba Office. Working closely with the Product Manager and Support Team Lead, Keith applies the latest engineering tools and techniques to maintain and enhance the MEDrefer service.
He has a B.Engineering (Computer Systems) & B.IT (Applied Computer Science) from USQ.
In his spare time Keith enjoys hobby video game design.
Samantha Freeman
Innovation and Strategy
Samantha Freeman is a health educator, strategist and innovator who has worked in executive positions in the primary health sector for over 16 years.
Samantha holds a Master of Education Technology as well as two other degrees in the creative arts, English language and literature, Drama, English as a second language and linguistics and is passionate about positive change management in health.