About Us
Director
Dr Debra Kennedy, MBBS, FRACP. Clinical Geneticist (HGSA)
Dr Kennedy trained in Paediatrics and Clinical Genetics in Sydney and Toronto. Canada. She established MotherSafe at RHW in 2000. She is committed to providing evidence-based information and counselling on exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding to both consumers and health professionals.
Dr Penelope Fotheringham, BMedSci, MBBS (Hons), MPH, MSc(ID), FRANZCOG, FAFPHM
Dr Penelope Fotheringham is a dual trained Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Public Health Physician and has worked at MotherSafe since 2022. She has an interest in health education including health literacy and delivery of evidence-based preconception and pregnancy care, that aligns with the role of the MotherSafe service.
MotherSafe Counsellors
MotherSafe is staffed by a group of counsellors with expertise in the use of medications in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Delwyn Cupitt, BAppSci
- Elizabeth Heiner, BPharm
- Majella Hill, BPharm MSc
- Susan Kwok, BPharm
- Sharon Marjenberg, MBBS FRACGP MHumanNutr
- Linda Zwart, BPharm
- Maria Moran, BPharm
- Kathryn Filipczuk, BMedSc, MPharm
PLaN Co-ordinator
- Sharon Marjenberg, MBBS FRACGP MHumanNutr
Administration
- Kratika Mehta
Our Mission statement
- To provide evidence-based information and counselling about exposures during pregnancy and lactation
- To reduce anxiety and improve maternal physical and emotional well-being before and during pregnancy as well as during lactation
- To prevent congenital birth defects by providing appropriate pre-pregnancy counselling including promotion of pre-conception folic acid
- To prevent the termination of otherwise wanted pregnancies based on misleading information about the risks of exposures during early pregnancy
- To carry out research to improve knowledge about exposures during pregnancy and lactation to agents about which there is inadequate information
- To promote rational use of medications during pregnancy and lactation by counselling, disseminating evidence-based information and educating both consumers and health care professionals