Vicki Levidiotis

Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in [Area of expertise] and talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.

• 2023 VRTRAC- Victorian and Tasmanian Renal Transplant Advisory Committee
• 2022-2023 C3 Working Group
• 2010-2012 FRACP Division of Adult Medicine (representing Nephrology)
• 2008-2012 FRACP STAC/SAC Committee
• 2006-2012 Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (Elected Councilor, Honorary Executive Officer, President)
• 2007-2011 Parental and Neonatal Outcomes Group (ANZdata Registry)
• 2007-2011 Dialysis Nephrology and Transplantation Committee
• 2006-2009 MPGN II-III/DDD Focus Group (International Collaborative)

• 1. 2023-Current VRTRAC- Victorian and Tasmanian Renal Transplant Advisory Committee My role in VRTRAC is to represent non-surgical transplant hubs in Victoria, this role was by way of invitation by the committee
• 2. 2022-Current C3 MDT Group This group convenes to discuss the management of C3 nephropathy, a very rare genetic disorder of the kidneys. This group meets as cases arise and is comprised of clinicians Australia wide.
• 3. 2005-Current Invited Reviewer for national and international project grants, including NHMRC, Heart Foundation, Jacquot, KHA and FRACP College grants and fellowships. Invited original article referee/reviewer for Kidney International, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Nephrology and Clinical Transplantation. Invited reviewer for the ANZSN annual scientific meeting.
• 4. 2012-2013 Chair of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2014 Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM)
• 5. 2010-2012 Committee member of the Adult Division of the FRACP-Representing Nephrology
• 6. 2010-2012 -KHA (Kidney Health Australia) Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (MSAC) MSAC was a committee of 14 members, aiming to address the Medical and Scientific requirements of the lay and professional kidney community in Australia. MSAC also had an advisory role to the KHA board.
• 7. 2006-2012 Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Peer Elected President (2010-2012), Honorary Executive Secretary (2007-2010) and Councilor (2006-2008). This body governs the society of nephrology at a political and educational level and oversees the society’s activities. Specifically my portfolio as a councilor covered issues related to research (clinical and basic science) and education. As Honorary Executive Secretary I essentially addressed all matters relating to the society and finally, as president I functioned as the spokesperson for the society.
• 8. 2007-2012 FRACP STAC/SAC Committee This peer elected committee’s function included developing a new training curriculum, which was implemented in 2012. It also accredited advanced trainees in renal medicine and reported to the Adult Division of Medicine, within the FRACP.
• 9. 2007-2011 Dialysis Nephrology and Transplantation Committee, peer elected representative. The scope of this working group was to update/propose guidelines in areas of controversy in the discipline of renal medicine.
• 10. 2007-2011 Parental and Neonatal Outcomes Group (ANZdata Registry), chair of a group of 5 members overseeing data collection for obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with end stage renal failure.
• 11. 2006-2009 Dense Deposit Disease focus Group Cambridge, UK. This was a small focus group comprising 20 international delegates aiming to unravel the pathogenesis of Dense Deposit disease using basic and clinical sciences. A consensus statement on the pathogenesis of this disease was published in 2007 (JASN). As a consequence of this meeting, the role of heparanase, in Dense Deposit Disease, was investigated at a biochemical /molecular level and studies using directed inhibitors were proposed.
• 12. 2004-2011 Session Chair ANZ ASM, scientific sessions, Chair TTS meeting 2009
• 13. 2005-2006 Local organizing Committee members ANZSN ASM. I was one of three people who organized the Australian New Zealand Society of Nephrology’s, annual medical and scientific conference. This role was significant and involved organizing and coordinating, a conference for 700 national and international delegates. Three international speakers were invited and the conference lasted for 5 days and included a post-graduate educational program.
• 14. 2002-2004 Kidney Care Advisory Committee I was appointed, by invitation, as the sole Physician to advice/contribute and direct the development of novel patient educational forums and programs, locally and nationally.

• Current My unique contributions in Renal Medicine include directing and developing the “Renal Transplant Service” and “Quality Programs” of the unit. Additionally, I am the lead clinician involved in auditing, reviewing and reporting on all Morbidities/ Mortalities and DRG discrepancies for the Renal Unit at Western Health and Riskman submissions.
• Specifically, regarding transplantation, over the last decade with the assistance of Clinical Nurse Consultant input, the transplant program was commenced from green fields, and has morphed into a dynamic and expanding service caring for about 120 transplanted patients, 200 potential transplant recipients and up to 60 “Active” or “On-Hold” transplantable recipients. Additionally, there are over 60 “private” patients that have been worked-up and gone on to successful transplantation but returned to private care.
• We now have 2 dedicated transplant clinics per week, serviced by 0.6 EFT and provide training for one registrar per clinic. A clinical audit is held at the end of each clinic. Additionally, a weekly audit is held to review and track patient progress lead by me and supported by the CNC and registrar.
• Protocols, drug formulary applications and policies specific to transplantation are also my responsibility. We meet as a group every second month to review and refine our processes.
• The needs of our patient cohort have been ever increasing as has the clinical requirement for surveillance of complications, post transplantation, and whilst on the wait-list. To address these requirements rigorous auditing processes have been developed so that clinical care optimization can take place “real time”. This has been achieved by way of meticulous patient profile review and supported by our CNCs.
• The “transplantable” patient cohort at Western Health is challenging due to a variety of social and physiological factors unique to our catchment, that may also act as “barriers” to transplantation.
• To address some of these barriers all patients are reviewed by our psychologist. Patients not transplantable, due to an increased BMI, are referred to the Endocrinology unit for consideration of weight loss drug usage. We now also have dedicated cardiology, gastroenterology and scope lists for our patients. Renal patients also have access to a specific metabolic bone clinic. Increased access to subspecialties has reduced the interval between dialysis commencement and activation.
• Late in 2022 a CNC was appointed to specifically assist with listing those on dialysis who remain “on hold” or have never been listed. I currently support this CNC by reviewing her work profile and expediting referrals and testing on a weekly basis. I also attend the RMH MDM where our patients are presented for RMH surgical and physician acceptance onto the wait-list.
• All innovations are constantly refined to facilitate “Best Care”.
• My role as the clinician in charge of Quality was accepted in 2020. This responsibility brings with it a set of new challenges; specifically, trying to re-invigorate the current reporting methods and ensuring reportable targets and their outcomes, are in keeping with the medical literature, represent best care and are of broad interest.
• In 2020, I became the clinician in charge of Morbidities/ Mortalities, Riskman submissions and DRG discrepancies. This has allowed me to participate in “In-Depth Case Reviews” and I enjoy the “arms length” approach of the evaluation of a variety of clinical scenarios.
• Beyond providing a clinical inpatient (3 months per annum) and outpatient service (3 clinics per week), as a senior member in the Department of Nephrology, I assist and contribute in the development of novel clinical pathways/protocols and facilitate optimization of clinical care. I attend and contribute to the 2 educational meetings per week and the radiology meetings when on ward service (3 months per annum).
• At the Royal Women’s Hospital I contribute to the care of women in their pre-pregnancy, antenatal and post-natal phase. An inpatient and outpatient consultative service is provided. I also attend clinical audits and inter-hospital meetings for complex patients at the Royal Melbourne when required.
• Nationally, over the past 20 years I have gained recognition as a renal physician through my contributions to the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN), Dialysis Nephrology and Transplant Committee (DNT), FRACP SAC in Nephrology and the Australia and New Zealand Data Registry (ANZdata). Each of these committee positions contributes in the governance of practices/trends in renal medicine in Australia and New Zealand.
• Past At Western Health as a part of my internal medicine commitment until 2014, I was responsible for the training of 14 basic trainees in medicine as either their “Professional Development Advisor” or “Educational supervisor”. I was also directly involved in teaching the MD and MBBS students from the University of Melbourne, at Western Health
• Between 2012- 2013, I represented the renal unit on the Pharmaceutical Utilization Committee (PUC).
• At Royal Prince Alfred (2007-2009) I uniquely contributed by being one of two Physicians involved in caring for women with medically complicated pregnancies. Up to 10-15 inpatients and 15 outpatients were attended weekly.
• Additionally, I supervised the Renal Educational Program and participated in the Drug-Trial subcommittee as the “renal expert”. In brief, this involved review of the drug trials proposed by physician-investigators within the hospital. The purpose of review was to ensure proposals fell within the ethical guidelines of the NHMRC and hospital.
• During my two years at the RPAH I consulted on inpatients and outpatients in all subspecialties of renal medicine.
• At Austin Health (2000-2007), I was the Physician-In-charge of the Live Donor Program (2006-2007) and Physician in Charge of Pre-dialysis (2000-2005). Additionally, I was involved in the development of clinical protocols, organization of outpatient services and service delivery optimization.

• 2010-current University of Melbourne, Clinical A/Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
• 2009-current University of Melbourne, Casual Academic, Clinical School Western Health
• 2007-2009 University of Sydney, Senior Lecturer Faculty of Medicine
• 2004-2007 University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Honorary Fellow Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
• 2001-2004 Austin Health /Northern Clinical School - Fellow with title Lecturer
• 1998-1999 Queen’s College Tutor in Medicine - University of Melbourne
• 1997-1999 Trinity College Tutor in Medicine - University of Melbourne

• 1. Long-Term Results from an Open-Label Extension Study of Atacicept for the Treatment of IgA Nephropathy. Barratt J, Barbour SJ, Brenner RM, Cooper K, Wei X, Eren N, Floege J, Jha V, Kim SG, Maes B, Phoon RKS, Singh H, Tesař V, Lafayette R; ORIGIN Phase 2b Investigators J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024 Oct 26: Role-Investigator
• 2.Case report of the successful use of semaglutide to achieve target BMI prior to renal transplant in two patients with end-stage-kidney-disease. Wallace R, Hamblin PS, Tully E, Tran J, Nelson C, Levidiotis V. Nephrology (Carlton). 2024
• 3.The impact of treatment with avacopan on health-related quality of life in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a post-hoc analysis of data from the ADVOCATE trial. Strand V, Jayne DRW, Horomanski A, Yue H, Bekker P, Merkel PA; ADVOCATE Study Group. Lancet Rheumatol. 2023 Role-Investigator
• 4.Co-design of a question prompt list about pregnancy and childbearing for women with polycystic kidney disease: an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. Holton S, Nelson C, Rasmussen B, Levidiotis V. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023
• 5.Efficacy and safety of avacopan in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis receiving rituximab in a randomised trial. Geetha D, Dua A, Yue H, Springer J, Salvarani C, Jayne D, Merkel P; ADVOCATE Study Group. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024 Jan. Role-Investigator
• 6.Renal Recovery for Patients with ANCA-Associated Vasculitis and Low eGFR in the ADVOCATE Trial of Avacopan Frank B Cortazar , John L Niles , David R W Jayne , Peter A Merkel , Annette Bruchfeld , Huibin Yue , Thomas J Schall , Pirow Bekker ; ADVOCATE Study Group Kidney Int Rep. 2023 Feb 3;8(4):860-870. Role-Investigator
• 7.Results from part A of the multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled NefIgArd trial, which evaluated targeted-release formulation of budesonide for the treatment of primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Barratt J, Lafayette R, Kristensen J, Stone A, Cattran D, Floege J, Tesar V, Trimarchi H, Zhang H, Eren N, Pialege A, Rovin BH; NefIgArd Trial Investigators. Barratt J, et al. Kidney Int. 2023 Feb;103(2):391-402. Role-Investigator
• 8. Avacopan for the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis. Jayne DRW, Merkel PA, Schall TJ, Bekker P; ADVOCATE Study Group.Jayne DRW, et al. N Engl J Med. 2021 Feb 18;384(7):599-609. Role-Investigator
• 9. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems coding underestimates the incidence and prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Kidney Disease in General Medical patients Intern Med J. 2018 Mar;48(3):310-315, Cited 24
• 10. The Overuse, Underuse, and Misuse of Dialysis in ESKD Patients with Dementia. MacPhail AJ, Ibrahim JE1,2, Fetherstonhaugh D3,4, Levidiotis V5, Semin Dial. 2015 Sep-Oct;28(5):490-6. Cited 16
• 11. Estimated GFR reporting influences recommendations for dialysis initiation Brimble KS, Mehrotra R, Tonelli M, Hawley CM, Castledine C, McDonald SP, Levidiotis V, Gangji AS, Treleaven DJ, Margetts PJ, Walsh M. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013 Nov;24(11):1737-42. Impact Factor 9.466 Cited 42
• 12. An observational outcomes study from 1966-2008, examining pregnancy and neonatal outcomes from dialysed women using data from the ANZDATA Registry Shahir AK, Briggs N, Katsoulis J, Levidiotis V. Nephrology. 2013 Apr;18(4):276-84 Impact Factor 1.86 Cited 128
• 13. Increase in nephrology advanced trainee numbers in Australia and associated reduction in clinical exposure in Australia over the last decade Amos L, Toussaint ND, Phoon RK, Elias TJ, Levidiotis V, Campbell SB, Walker AM, Harrex C. Intern Med J. 2012 May 30. Impact Factor 1.402, Cited 1
• 14. Corticosteroids worsen proteinuria and increase intraglomerular signaling by NF-Kappa B in a model of membranous glomerulonephritis Mudge SJ, Paizis K, Auwardt RB, Levidiotis V, Fraser SA, Power DA. Nephron Exp Nephrol. 2010; 116(2):e23-31. Impact Factor 1.649, Cited 6
• 15. Pregnancy and Maternal Outcomes among Kidney Transplant Recipients. Levidiotis,V Chang Sean and McDonald Stephen J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Nov;20(11):2433-40. Impact Factor 9.466, Cited 164
• 16. Reduction in renal ACE2 expression in subtotal nephrectomy is ameliorated with ACE inhibition. Velkoska E, Dean RG, Burchill LJ, Levidiotis V, Burrell LM. Clin Sci (Lond). 2009 Aug 21. Impact Factor 5.629 Cited 64
• 17. Live kidney donors - assessment and follow up. Levidiotis V. Aust Fam Physician. 2009 May;38(5):316-20. Review. Impact Factor 0.67, Cited 21
• 18. Low salt concentrations activate AMP-activated protein kinase in mouse macula densa cells Cook N, Fraser SA, Katerelos M, Katsis F, Gleich K, Mount PF, Steinberg GR, Levidiotis V, Kemp BE, Power DA. American Journal of Renal Physiology. 2009 Apr;296(4):F801-9. Impact Factor 4.42, Cited 15
• 19. Dentritic cell derived IL-18 production is inhibited by rapamycin and sanglifehrin A, but not cyclosporine A Ko H, Hambly BD, Eris JM, Levidiotis V, Wyburn K, Wu H, Chadban SJ, Yin JL. Transpl Immunol. 2008 Nov;20(1-2):99-105. Impact Factor 1.832, Cited 18
• 20. Acute kidney injury in the rat causes cardiac remodeling and increases angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression. Burchill L, Velkoska E, Dean RG, Lew RA, Smith AI, Levidiotis V, Burrell L. Exp Physiol. 2008 May; 93(5):622-30 Impact Factor 2.871, Cited 1
• 21. Predictors of Early Dialysis Vascular Access Failure Post-Thrombolysis S.Crikis and
• D. Lee, M.Brooks, D.A.Power, F.L.Ierino, V.Levidiotis American Journal of Nephrology; 2008 28(2):181-9. Impact Factor 2.646 Cited 12
• 22. Heparanase in Glomerular Disease Mabel van den Hoven PhD, Angelique L. Rops PhD, Vicki Levidiotis MD PhD, Jo H. Berden, MD PhD, Johan van der Vlag, PhD Kidney International, Sep; 72(5):543-8, 2007 Impact Factor 8.520, Cited 56
• 23. Dense Deposit Disease: Developing Treatment Guidelines for a Rare Disease Jessy Alexander, Paul N. Barlow, Marina Botto, Thomas L. Cassavant, H. Terence Cook, Santiago Rodriguez de Córdoba, Gregory Hageman, Sakari Jokiranta, William J. Kimberling, John D. Lambris, Lynne D. Lanning, Vicki Levidiotis, Christoph Licht, Hans U. Lutz, Seppo Meri, Matthew C. Pickering, Richard J. Quigg, Angelique L. Rops; David J. Salant, Sanjeev Sethi, Richard J.H. Smith, Joshua M. Thurman, Hope F. Tully, Sean P. Tully, Johan van der Vlag, Patrick D. Walker, Reinhard F. Zipfel (authors in alphabetical order) Journal of American Society of Nephrology, Sep;18(9):2447-5, 2007 Impact Factor 9.466, Cited 295
• 24. Regulation of the renal specific NA-K-2CL co-transporter NKCC2 by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Fraser SA, Gimenez I, Cook N, Jennings I, Katerelos M, Katsis F, Levidiotis V, Kemp BE, Power DA. Biochemical Journal, Jul 1;405(1):85-93, 2007 Impact Factor 4.779, Cited 94
• 25. Quinine-induced renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulation Lim A.K.H, Ho L, Levidiotis V Internal Medical Journal of Australia, Jul; 36(7):465-7, 2006 Impact Factor 1.699, Cited 22
• 26. Activators of The Energy Sensing Kinase AMPK Inhibit Random Cell Movement and Chemotaxis in U937 Cells J.Kanellis, R.K.Kane, D. Etemadmoghadam, S.A.Fraser, P.F.Mount, V.Levidiotis, B.E.Kemp and D.A.Power Immunology and Cell Biology, Feb;84(1):6-12, 2006 Impact Factor 4.205, Cited 36
• 27. Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis Syndrome (TINU): Sore Eyes and Sick Kidneys Andy K.Lim, Mathew Roberts, Troy.L.Joon, Vicki Levidiotis The Internal Medical Journal of Australia, Nov 7; 183(9):477-8 2005 Impact Factor 1.699 Cited 7
• 28. An Unexpected Cause of Macroscopic Hematuria John S. Lubel, Louise M Burrell, Vicki Levidiotis The Internal Medical Journal of Australia, Sep 19; 183(6):321-3, 2005 Impact Factor 1.699, Cited 15
• 29. Acute renal ischemia rapidly activates the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase but does not increase phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser1177. Mount P.F., Hill R. E., Fraser S. A. Levidiotis V., Katsis F, Kemp B.E., Power D. A American Journal of Renal Physiology, Nov; 289(5):F1103-15, 2005 Impact Factor 4.42, Cited 92
• 30. Regulation of the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the kidney by dietary salt intake and osmolality Fraser S, Mount P, Hill R, Levidiotis V, Kemp B.E, Stapleton D and Power D.A. American Journal of Renal Physiology, Mar; 288(3):F578-86, 2005. Impact Factor 4.42, Cited 74
• 31. A Synthetic Heparanase Inhibitor Reduces Proteinuria in Passive Heymann Nephritis Levidiotis V, Freeman C, Punler M, Ferro V, Creese B, Parish C and Power D.A. Journal of American Society of Nephrology, Nov; 15(11):2882-92, 2004 Impact Factor 9.466, Cited 102
• 32. Heparanase is Involved In The Pathogenesis of Proteinuria as a Result of Glomerulonephritis. Levidiotis V Freeman C, Tikellis C, Cooper M.E and Power D.A. Journal of American Society of Nephrology, Jan; 15 (1): 68-78, 2004 Impact Factor 9.466, Cited 17
• 33. New Insights in the Molecular Biology of the Glomerular Filtration Barrier and Associated Disease Levidiotis V and Power D.A. Nephrology Apr;10(2):157-66, 2005 Impact Factor 1.864, Cited 41
• 34. Heparanase inhibition reduces proteinuria in a model of accelerated anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease Levidiotis V, Freeman C, Tikellis C, Cooper M.E. and Power D.A. Nephrology, Apr;10(2):167-73, 2005 Impact Factor 1.864, Cited 72
• 35. A Study of VEGF and Its Receptors in Two Models of Proteinuria. Kanellis J, Levidiotis V, Khong T, Cox A.J, Stacker SA, Gilbert RE, Cooper M.E and Power D.A. Nephron Physiology, 96:26-36, 2004 Impact Factor 1.545, Cited 28
• 36. Increased Expression of HB-EGF and Its Receptor Erbb4/HER4 in Accelerated Anti-GBM. Levidiotis V, Katerelos M, Khong T, Fraser S and Power DA. Nephrology, Vol 7, issue 5, 233-238, 2002 Impact Factor 1.864
• 37. Increased Expression of Heparanase in Puromycin Aminonucleoside (PAN) Nephrosis. Levidiotis V, Kanellis J, Ierino FL and Power DA. Kidney International Vol 60, 1287-1296, 2001 Impact Factor 8.520, Cited 114

• 1. Training: Training I have undertaken to specifically equip me with teaching/supervisory skills includes
• 1. Supervisor’s workshop for advanced trainees in internal medicine (run by the FRACP College, 2019, 2022)
• 2. University Of Melbourne, Skill Coach Work Shop 2012
• 3. University of Sydney, Post Graduate Supervisor’s workshop and on-line course (2007-2008)
• 4. University Of Melbourne, Advanced Medicine Student supervisor’s course. The University’s appraisal process is bilateral, involving student and supervisor’s feedback (2006)
• 5. Supervisor’s workshop for advanced trainees in internal medicine (run by the FRACP College, 2005, 2012)
• 6. Leadership skills workshop organized by the FRACP (2005). The aim of this workshop was to equip physicians with the skills needed to effectively deliver information to staff and implement change within departments.