Bernadette Ricciardo
PhD Candidate
MBBS (hon) DCH FACD
bernadette.ricciardo@thekids.org.au
Dr Bernadette Ricciardo is a PhD student on the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin project, the first Australian co-designed research-service study to describe skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children and young people. Dr Ricciardo is also a consultant dermatologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital and the Perth Children’s Hospital, and she provides dermatology out-reach to Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation. She sits on the Australasian College of Dermatologist’s Academic Research Committee and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee. She has a broad range of research interests within the fields of Dermatology and Aboriginal Health.
Projects
Moorditj Marp (Strong Skin) Evaluation and development of culturally relevant healthy skin storybooks
Co-designed and in collaboration with community members, the impacts of this project will directly benefit families by building awareness, empowering decision-making, and improving confidence around the recognition and management of skin conditions for Aboriginal children.
Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin
The Koolungar (children) Moorditj (strong) Healthy Skin project is the first ever co-designed research-service Australian study to describe skin health in urban-living Aboriginal koolungar.
Published research
Systematic review of the evidence for treatment and management of common skin conditions in resource-limited settings: An update
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the human body. As such, skin infections can have a significant impact on overall health, social wellbeing and self-image.
Skin health of Aboriginal children living in urban communities
Skin concerns are frequent among urban-living Aboriginal children, yet specialist dermatology consultations are limited with studies highlighting the need for improved cultural security. Through newly established paediatric dermatology clinics at two urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), we aimed to describe clinic and patient data, including disease frequencies and associations, to inform dermatology service provision and advocacy.
Widespread dyspigmentation in a child
Mosaic Darier disease flaring following allogeneic stem cell transplant
Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project
Indigenous children in colonised nations experience high rates of health disparities linked to historical trauma resulting from displacement and dispossession, as well as ongoing systemic racism. Skin infections and their complications are one such health inequity, with the highest global burden described in remote-living Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) children. Yet despite increasing urbanisation, little is known about the skin infection burden for urban-living Aboriginal children.
Education and Qualifications
- Fellowship of the Australasian College of Dermatology (FACD) - Australasian College of Dermatology.
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with Honours (MBBS) - University of Western Australia.
- Diploma of Child Health (DCH) - Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - Australasian College of Dermatology.
Awards/Honours
- 2022 Higher Degree by Research Scholarship – Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases.
- 2021 Postgraduate Scholarship - National Health and Medical Research Council.
- 2021 Research Training Program Fees Offset - Australian Government
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Gift Fund Trust Prize in Obstetrics - University of Western Australia.
- Helen Jane Lamard Prize in Surgery - University of Western Australia.
- Alfred Nailer Jacobs Memorial Prize in Rural General Practice - University of Western Australia.
- Rural Doctors’ Association of WA Prize - University of Western Australia.
Active Collaborations
- Australasian Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (AUS-SCAR) – Fiona Stanley Hospital
- Delphi Panel for Drug Allergy Terminology – National Allergy Council