Meet A/Prof Janelle Brennan
(She/Her)
A/Prof Janelle Brennan grew up in Ararat and after Year 12 moved to Melbourne. She graduated with a MBBS (Hons) from the University of Melbourne in 1997 and then went on to do further post-graduate surgical training at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, completing her fellowship in general surgery in 2003. She then became a fully qualified urological surgeon in February 2009, with a further fellowship year at North Shore Hospital, Auckland in 2010, followed by 3 months of urology observerships at New York University Hospital and Vanderbilt Hospital, Tennessee.
Janelle is currently based at Bendigo, Victoria and is Head of the Urology Unit at Bendigo Health, as well as working at St. John of God private hospital in Bendigo. She also operates monthly at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Melbourne, in order to deliver robotic surgery to her regional patients. Janelle has supervised the training of two nurse practitioners, and is currently training a senior gynaecology registrar in the field of urogynaecology. She is also actively involved in international research trials with local patient recruitment to ensure that regional patients have access to these opportunities.
In addition to her role at Bendigo Health and SJOG, she is Director of the Northwest Regional Training Hub at Monash School of Rural Health with a focus on improving training and service delivery in rural and regional Australia. She has also been appointed as the USANZ representative on the RACS Rural Health Equity Advisory and Reference Group, and her commitment to rural health was recognised as a finalist for AMA Victorian Doctor of the Year in 2021. In 2022 she was invited to be the Scientific Convenor of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ), and has also been invited to chair the national bladder cancer workshop at the USANZ ASM in 2022 and 2024. Janelle has given a number of lectures both nationally and internationally in the field of urology and rural health service delivery. In 2023 she was invited to be a co-instructor at the American Urology Association Complex Pelvic Floor Surgery Instructional Course.
When not working she tries to play golf at Axedale, enjoy good food and wine, tinker with Lego and spend time with her dog ‘Dusty’ (Go Tiges!).
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
2020 – current Associate Professor, School of Rural Health,
Faculty of Medicine, Monash University
2009 – current Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS Urol)
1992 – 1997 MBBS (Hons) – The University of Melbourne
1986 - 1991 V.C.E. – Marian College, Ararat, Victoria
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2020 – Current Director, North West Regional Training Hub
Monash Rural Health, Bendigo
2019 – Current Head of Unit, Urology
Bendigo Health
2010 – Current VMO Urological Surgeon
Bendigo Health, Bendigo
St. John of God Hospital, Bendigo
St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Melbourne
2010 – 2022 VMO Urological Surgeon
Swan Hill District Health, Swan Hill
2010 – 2020 VMO Urological Surgeon
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne
2010 – 2014 VMO Urological Surgeon
Echuca Regional Health
Rochester and Elmore District Health
2009 Urology Fellow
Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, NZ
2006 – 2008 Advanced Urology Training
Ballarat Health, Southern Health (Melb), SVH (Melb)
Successful completion of RACS Fellowship Exam (Urol) 2008
2004 – 2005 Advanced Urology Training – Research
Dept of Surgery, University of Melbourne, SVH
Identification of molecular markers associated with metastatic urothelial cancer
2001 – 2003 Advanced General Surgery Training – SVH
Eastern Health (Melb), Goulburn Valley Health (GVH),
Barwon Health, Ballarat Health
Successful completion of RACS Fellowship Exam (Gen Surg) 2003
1999 – 2000 Basic Surgical Training – SVH
SVH, Echuca, Swan Hill, Warrnambool, GVH, PMCI (Melb)
1998 Internship – SVH, Melbourne
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2024 New Zealand Ministry of Health Credentialling Panel for Pelvic Floor and Urogynaecological Procedures
2023 Scientific Chair – USANZ Annual Scientific Meeting, 2023
2022 Chair, Southern Regional Training Hub Alliance (on behalf of Vic/Tas/SA/Southern NSW Medical Schools)
2022 - current Victorian State Council, AMA Victoria, Private Practice Representative
2021 – current USANZ Representative, Rural Health Equity Advisory &
Reference Group
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
2019 – current Urology Representative, Medical Experts Committee
Avant Insurance – Victoria and ACT
2017 – current Medical Advisory Committee – Specialist Representative
St. John of God Hospital, Bendigo
Deputy Chair MAC 2021 - current
2011 – current Chair of Genitourinary Multidisciplinary Meeting
Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service
2021 - current President, Bendigo Subdivision, AMA
2014 - 2015 Australian Medical Association (Vic Branch)
2011 – 2014 VMO Representative, Medical Advisory Committee
Bendigo Health (reporting directly to Hospital Board)
POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
2022 Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
2021 Good Clinical Practice Certificate (Research) (on-line)
2019 Robotic surgery training – Device Technologies - Sydney
2018 Executive Ready Leadership Course (8 months part-time)
Women and Leadership Australia – Sydney
2018 International Physician Leadership (2 weeks full-time)
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health – Boston, USA
RESEARCH
2022 – current Investigator – Australian Pelvic Floor Registry
2021 – current Founder and Scientific Convenor DRIVERS conference
Monash Rural Health (Doctors for Rural Innovation, Vision, Excellence, Research and Scholarship)
2022 – 2023 Abstract Reviewer AUA National Meeting
2022 – 2023 Principal Investigator (Bendigo) – Alessa
Pilot study
2019 – 2023 Principal investigator (Bendigo) – Madorra
Pilot Study Madorra Therapy System
2018 – current Principal Investigator (Bendigo) – Zenflow
The Zenflow Spring System EU Safety and Performance Study
(Zest EU). HREC 18/MH/245
2018 – 2020 Principal investigator (Bendigo) – Applaud
Multi-Center Feasibility Study of an Enhanced Lithotripsy System (ELS) in the Treatment of Urinary Stone Disease (Study 2017-03)
2018 Principal investigator (Bendigo) – Veressa
A prospective feasibility study evaluating the implantation procedure and stimulation effects of tibial and/or saphenous nerve stimulation on patients with overactive bladder (OAB)
PUBLICATIONS
REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Paynter J, Qin K, Cuthbertson C, and Brennan J.
Creating a sustainable rural general surgery workforce: what enables fellows to return as rural general surgeons?
Rural and Remote Health. August 2023. Vol 23: Issue 3.
Paynter J, Qin K, O'Brien A, O’Sullivan B, Jayasekara H, and Brennan J.
Rural general surgeon confidence with managing vascular emergencies: A national survey.
Australian Journal of Rural Health, July 2023.
Paynter J, Qin K, Seamer G, Fernando R, Brennan J and Lee C.
Colorectal surgical management of colitis induced by vasculitis in the absence of inflammatory bowel disease: a case report and literature review.
Ann Coloproctol. 2023 Jun; 39(3): 193-203.
Hickey M, Baber R, Eden J, Brennan J, Bateson D, Goldman M, Rockweiler H, Dreon D.
Safety and effectiveness of a novel home-use therapeutic ultrasound device for the treatment of vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women: a pilot study.
Menopause. 30 (4): p. 383-392, April 2023.
Mollah T, Brennan J.
Australian trends in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in the non-mesh era.
ANZ Journal of Surgery. Vol. 93: No. 3, 03.2023, p. 469-475.
McVey A, Qu L, Chan G, Perera M, Brennan J, Chung E and Gani J.
What a mesh! An Australian experience using national female continence surgery trends over 20 years.
World Journal of Urology. Vol. 39: No. 10, 10.2021, p. 3931-3938.
Mathieson R; Kippen R, Manning T, Brennan J.
Stress urinary incontinence in the mesh complication era: current Australian trends.
BJU International. Vol. 128: No. 1, 07.2021, p. 95-102.
Gavin D, Kam J, Krelle M, Louie-Johnson M, Sutherland T, Koschel S, Jenkins M, Yuminaga Y, Kim R, Aluwihare K, Skinner S, Brennan J and Wong L.
Quantifying the Effect of Location Matching on Accuracy of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Prior to Prostate Biopsy—A Multicentre Study
European Urology Open Science. Vol. 20: 07.2020, p. 28-36.
Elmer S, Brennan J, Mathieson R, Norris B, Carey M and Dowling C. (2020)
Making surgery safer through adequate communication with the stakeholders: vaginal slings
World J Urol. Vol 38: p. 1351-58.
Kam J, Yuminaga Y, Krelle M, Gavin D, Koschel S, Aluwhiare K, Sutherland T, Skinner S, Brennan J, Wong L-M and Louie-Johnsun M. (2019)
Evaluation of the accuracy of multiparametric MRI for predicting prostate cancer pathology and tumour staging in the real world: a multicentre study.
BJU Int. Vol 124: 2.
Brennan J, Chan K, Kippen R, Lenard C, Mills T and Williams R.
Applications of the Cumulative Rate to Kidney Cancer Statistics in Australia.
Demography and Health Issues. 2018, p 97–106.
Chung E, Lee D, Gani J, Gillman, M, Maher C, Brennan J, Johns-Putra L, Ahmad L, et al
Position statement: A clinical approach to the management of adult non-neurogenic overactive bladder.
MJA. 2018
Satasivam P, O’Neill S, Sivarajah G, Sliwinski A, Kaiser C, Niall O, Goad J, Brennan J. (2013)
The dilemma of distance: patients with kidney cancer from regional Australia present at a more advanced stage.
BJU Int. 113 Suppl 2:57-63, 2014 Mar.
Sliwinski A, Koonjbeharry B, Wetherell D, Weerakoon M, Ow D, Manya K, Lawrentschuk N and Brennan J (2013)
Renal Artery Aneurysm Causing Symptomatic Hydronephrosis Med Surg Urol 2013, 2:3
C.L. Chaffer, J.P. Brennan, J.L. Slavin, T. Blick, E.W. Thompson and E.D. Williams (2006).
Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition Facilitates Bladder Cancer Metastasis: Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-2. Cancer Res. Vol 66: (23).
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Gilling P, Brennan J, Chin P, Guerra L, Becerra R and Maraboto J.
PD23-06: 12-month interim results of the multicenter, prospective, single-arm study with the Zenflow spring system: A novel minimally-invasive treatment for LUTS associated with BPH. J Urol. 1 Sep 2021.
Chin P, Guerra G, Salvador L, Gilling P, Maraboto G, Jose J, Becerra R, and Brennan J.
MP09-03. Evolution of the Zenflow spring system: A novel nitinol implant for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). J Urol. 206 (Supplement 3): p e160, September 2021.
Shah T, Gao C, O’Keefe A, Manning T, Peacocke A, Cashman S, Nambiar A, Lamb B, Ivin N, Maw J, Abdaal C, Al Hayek S, Christidis D, Bolton D, Lawrentshuk N, Khan S, Demirel S, Graham S, Lee J, Evans S, Koschel S, Badgery H, Brennan J et al, (2018)
PD-17-08: The effects of medically expulsive therapy (MET) on spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in patients presenting with acute ureteric colic. J Urol. Vol 208: 1; 44-45.
Wong, L. M., Tran, V., Jenkins, M., Clarke, A., Goad, J., Brennan, J & Lenaghan, D. (2016)
MP-54-20. Accuracy of ultrasonography for the evaluation of urolithiasis in patients undergoing extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: comparison with non-contrast computed tomography. J Urol. 195 (4)
Brennan JP, Chan KC, Kippen R, Lenard CT, Mills TM and Williams RFG. (2016)
Applications of the Cumulative Rate to Kidney Cancer Statistics in Australia.
Conference Paper 2016: 4th Stochastic Modelling Techniques and Data Analysis International Conference, At Malta.
J. Gani, J. Brennan, C. Poole and M. Frydenberg (2008)
Narrow Band Imaging versus conventional lighting during flexible cystoscopy.
BJU Int. Vol 101. Issue s1. Page 29.
Satasivam P, Lenaghan D, Sivarajah G, Zhang B, McKenzie J, Choong P, Goad J and Brennan J (2013)
Oral anticoagulation does not affect the prevalence of asymptomatic microscopic haematuria: insights from a state-wide sample of patients undergoing elective non-urologic surgery. BJU Int. April.
Satasivam P, Sivarajah G, and Brennan J (2013)
The adoption of routine pelvic lymphadenectomy may be contributing to improved survival outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. BJU Int. April.
Satasivam P, Sivarajah G, Goad J and Brennan J. (2013)
Patients from regional areas undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer exhibit more advanced pathological features and have poorer overall survival than their metropolitan counterparts. BJU Int. April.
J. Brennan, R. Hall, D. Cook, L. Dodds, R. McMullin and D. Moss (2007).
Gentamicin: old drug, new tricks. BJU Int. Vol 99. Issue s2. Page 16.
J. Brennan, R. Hall and L. Dodds (2007).
Warfarin toxicity and retroperitoneal fibrosis. BJU Int. Vol. 99. Issue s2. Page 23.
D.P. Delaney, K. Opeskin, E. Williams, C. Temelcos, R. Asopa, A. Clarke, O. Niall, J. Brennan and J. Goad (2006).
Bladder dome air bubbles in TURBT: is there any benefit from removing the air bubble at TURBT? BJU Int. Vol. 97. Issue s1. Page 8.
J.P. Brennan, J. Slavin, C. Temelcos, A. Clarke, O. Niall, R. Asopa, E.D. Williams and J. Goad (2006).
Changing patterns of radical cystectomy at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.
BJU Int. Vol 97. Issue s1. Pages 8-9.
J.P. Brennan, C.L. Chaffer, J. Slavin, C. Temelcos, J. Goad and E.D. Williams (2006).
Patterns of spread in an orthotopic mouse model of bladder cancer. BJU Int. Vol 97. Issue s1. Page 9
Brennan JP, Chaffer CL, Slavin J, Temelcos C, Goad J, Williams ED (2005).
Modelling Muscle-Invasive Transitional Cell Carcinoma. ANZ J. Surg. Vol 75: A135-A140.
Brennan JP, Chaffer CL, Slavin J, Temelcos C, Goad J, Williams ED (2005).
A novel orthotopic model of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. BJU Int. Vol 95. Issue s1. Page 27.
Brennan JP, Stewart BT and Sibbinson M. Colorectal Cancer Screening- Are Faecal Occult Blood Tests Becoming Redundant? ANZ J. Surg. 2003; 73 (Suppl.): A14.
Merry CJ, Guest G, Brennan JP, Selvidge J, Papas C & Watters DA. An Electronic Trainee Logbook which uses the Minimum and Recommended Datasets for Surgical Audit. ANZ J. Surg. 2003; 73 (Suppl.): A100
INVITED SPEAKER
2023 Rural Medicine Australia conference, Hobart.
Rural specialist training: Cutting the mustard!
(Panel discussion with Peta Rutherford, Sue Velovski, Mat Coleman and Jenny May)
2023 AMA Rural Medical Training Summit, 15/9/23, Canberra.
Incentivising rural practice.
(Panel Discussion with Dr Hayden Cain and Dr. Tom Gleeson).
2023 31st National Conference on Incontinence & 4th Functional Urology Symposium 2023, Adelaide.
Over and underactive bladder: Is BPE the culprit and what can be done?
2023 American Urology Association Annual Meeting, Chicago.
Instructional Course 009C 28/4/23
Complex and Challenging Cases in Female Pelvic Medicine and
Reconstructive Surgery. (Dowling C, Cameron A, Elmer S, Brennan J)
2023 USANZ ASM Plenary – Melbourne, Australia
(Debate: Against centralisation in uro-oncology)
2022 USANZ ASM Plenary – Gold Coast, Australia
(SUI trends)
2022 USANZ ASM Plenary – Gold Coast, Australia
(Panel discussion: LUTS)
2021 Urology for regional and rural Australia – Board of Mildura Health Fund
2021 New Zealand Urology Section Meeting (USANZ) – Auckland
(Innovations in Urology) – cancelled due to COVID
2021 RACS Annual Scientific Meeting - Melbourne
Debate: Should general surgeons or urologists look after acute testicular torsion?
2019 ANZ BPH Summit – Faculty - Sydney
2019 USANZ Functional Urology Symposium – Sydney
Urolift and the large prostate
2019 3rd Epworth Urology Masterclass–Advances in Female Urology -Melb
Retropubic Mid Urethral Slings
2019 Mundipharma Uro-Oncology Symposium – Gold Coast, Qld
Survivorship post prostate cancer treatment.
The use of scribes in urology.
2019 Victorian Urology Section Meeting (USANZ) - Melbourne
Innovations in urology practice including the use of scribes.
2018 Mundipharma Uro-Oncology Sympsosium – Sanctuary Cove, Qld
Debate: Radical cystectomy should not be centralised.
2017 USANZ Functional Urology Symposium – Melbourne
Mesh complications and management – Erosion into vagina
and Erosion into Lower Urinary Tract
2017 John Gault Oration – SJOG Bendigo Annual General Meeting
“The future of Rural and Regional Healthcare”
2016 Pan Pacific Continence Society Annual Meeting, Beijing
Infection rates post intravesical botox
2013 USANZ Urology Nursing Urodynamics Workshop – Melbourne
TEACHING
2013 – current Supervising consultant – Urology SET trainee
Victorian Section – USANZ
2022 – 2023 Co-supervisor of Advanced Pelvic Floor module
RANZCOG senior registrar/advanced trainee
2012 – current Supervisor of training / Collaborative practice agreement of Nurse Practitioners (Urology)
Mr. David Heath (Uro-oncology)
Ms. Jana Middlemis (FPMRS)
2012 – current Co-Convenor
Goldfields Urology Annual Nursing Study Day – Bendigo
2017 Foundation Skills of Surgical Educators Course (1 day)
Royal Australian College of Surgeons - Auckland
2016 Surgical Trainer’s Course (SATSET) and Keeping Trainees on Track Course (KTOT) (1 day)
Royal Australian College of Surgeons - Melbourne
2013 – 2015 Supervisor of Urology Training
Bendigo Health
2010 – 2011 Urology Representative – Exam standard setting group
Basic Sciences Exam - RACS
2006 – 2008 RACS Instructor – CLEAR course
Critical Literature Evaluation and Research Course
2005 Surgeons as Educators Course (1 week)
Royal Australian College of Surgeons – Melbourne
2005 – 2006 Clinical Tutor – Final year medicine
SVH clinical school, University of Melbourne
2005 – 2006 Clinical Medicine Tutor – Newman College, Uni of Melb
2003 Surgeons as Teachers Course (2 days)
Royal Australian College of Surgeons - Melbourne
1998 – 2000 Anatomy & Physiology Tutor–St.Mary’s College, Uni of Melb
INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS
2023 Medical Advisory Board Penthrox
2021 Medical Advisory Board Abbvie
2019 Consultant for Teleflex inc. medical representative MTAA med tech
Event, Parliament House, Canberra
2019 – current Procedural proctor: Teleflex (prostatic urolift)
Medtronic (Sacral neuromodulation)
2018 Member of Medical Advisory Board – Mundipharma
2016 Invited attendee – International Experts Meeting on Botox
Allergan - Amsterdam
2015 Invited speaker, NEXUS II (Network of Excellence in Urological
Science) – Allergan – Sydney.
CISC rates and intravesical botox – the real story. Sydney
2016 Invited speaker, NEXUS for Nurses, Allergan – Melbourne
Pre-procedure management for botox patients
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors
Full Member – Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ)
General & Specialist Registration – AHPRA (MED0001168874)
Member – Female Urology Special Advisory Group, USANZ
Member – Continence Foundation of Australia
Member – International Continence Society
Member – European Association of Urology
Member – American Urology Association
