Qualifications
Dr Vida Viliunas qualified in medicine (MBBS) at the University of New South Wales in 1987 and completed her specialist training in anaesthesia from 1990 to 1994. She achieved her Fellowship with the Australian and NewZealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA) in 1995 .
Thereafter, Dr Viliunas worked in metropolitan Sydney. She worked at St Vincent’s, St George, Concord and Royal North Shore Hospitals. She has also completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) and a Masters of Medicine in Pain Management (MMed) at the University of Sydney.
She has practiced in Canberra since 1995 as a clinical anaesthetist in cardiac, vascular, orthopaedic, urology, ophthalmology, pain management and general surgery.
Outside clinical anaesthesia practice, Dr Viliunas is interested in the assessment of advanced learners in medicine and was an examiner for 12 years (2001-2012) and Chair for 2 years (2010-2011) of the final fellowship examination in anaesthesia of the Australian and New Zealand College of anaesthetists. She is currently involved in the preparation of anaesthesia registrars and overseas trained anaesthetists for their qualifying examinations and has completed the Harvard Medical School Postgraduate “Training to Teach Medicine” program.
Dr Viliunas contributed to the launch of ASAEd as part of her work with the ASA Education committee: on-line education for anaesthetists and exam preparation for candidates in 2020 during the pandemic.
Dr Viliunas was elected as President of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists in October 2025.
She is a regular lecturer and examiner for the Australian National University Medical School. Dr Viliunas participates in the ANU Medical School admission interviews for domestic and overseas applicants.
Dr Viliunas served on the Medical Board of the ACT from 2005 to 2014.
She is fluent in English and Lithuanian.
Special Interests
- minimisation of postoperative pain
- prevention of postoperative nausea
- minimisation of postoperative cognitive dysfunction
- video and podcast production for public and specialist education
Affiliations
- Australian Society of Anaesthetists – current ASA President
- Australian Medical Association
- Advanced Professional Education Pty Ltd
- Medical Association for the Prevention of War (Australia) MAPW
Privacy policy is available on request.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019: OAM for service to medicine in the field of anaesthesiology.
OTHER ORGANISATIONS
MERCY SHIPS
I am in the volunteer pool as an anaesthesia provider for the Mercy Ships in Africa and have worked with Canberra’s Dr AJ Collins in Cameroon (2018) and in Senegal (2020 & 2022). The new “Global Mercy” ship is currently docked in Sierra Leone where I joined volunteer doctors and nurses in early 2024.
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development aid to those without access to surgical health care in the developing world. Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1.53 billion, with more than 2.71 million direct beneficiaries. Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers from over 40 nations serve with Mercy Ships.
DOCTORS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Doctors for the Environment Australia is the leading medical voice on health and climate.
DEA are medical doctors who understand that human health requires a healthy planet, with an environment that is free of pollution, rich in biodiversity, and able to provide for current and future generations sustainably. DEA advocate for a sustainable healthcare system to reduce the health sector’s carbon footprint.
EDUCATIONAL:
ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
I am co-convenor together with Dr Rod Katz of the annual international APE meetings that promote a multidisciplinary approach to professional education. These allow sharing of experiences among Australian professionals including issues in medical practice, legal, accounting, financial planning and other areas.
COMMUNITY:
MEDICAL:
JOHN JAMES FOUNDATION
The John James Foundation is Canberra’s leading medical charity, located in Deakin in the Australian Capital Territory. As a not-for-profit organisation, the Foundation supports volunteer medical programs and a range of medical education activities. It also provides funds for local, grassroots charities and organisations that align with the Foundation’s objectives.
Travelling to the Solomon Islands on teaching missions is an important contribution to capacity building and support for local anaesthetic registrars. The Foundation continues to support short term surgical missions and to sponsor specialists to attend international educational conferences.
A brochure outlining the Foundation’s activities is available here.
- promote the practice of medical and dental science;
- promote the study of medical and dental sciences;
- promote education and training in the medical and dental sciences;
- promote research into medical and dental sciences;
- provide healthcare equipment and facilities;
- operate healthcare facilites; and
- do all things incidental to or necessary for the fulfillment of the objects of the Company.
