Committed to the well-being of Australian veterans with professional services
Leveraging years of specialized experience in veteran mental health
Delivering unbiased psychiatric reports for fair outcomes
Ensuring every Australian veteran can access our services globally
MBBS.FRANZCP
Founder, Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Director
Dr Charana Perera is a Consultant Psychiatrist and the Founder of March Ahead, a specialist service providing independent psychiatric assessments for veterans. He is committed to clinical excellence and impartiality, delivering objective, evidence-based evaluations for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims and medico-legal reporting. Dr Perera has five years of specialist experience in general adult psychiatry, with particular expertise in trauma-related disorders, veterans’ mental health, and medico-legal assessments. His background also includes perinatal and women’s mental health, contributing to a broad and nuanced understanding of psychiatric presentations across diverse populations. At March Ahead, he conducts independent psychiatric evaluations for veterans and ensures all assessments meet the highest professional and ethical standards in accordance with AHPRA, RANZCP, and DVA requirements. He leads a team of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, maintaining a rigorous and impartial assessment process focused on accuracy and integrity. Dr Perera remains actively involved in professional education and veteran-focused initiatives, contributing to peer discussions, medico-legal training, and collaborative work aimed at strengthening the quality of psychiatric assessments within the veteran mental health sector.
Manager Veteran Liaison, Partnerships & Growth
Sarah has dedicated over a decade to the healthcare industry, bringing a wealth of experience across multiple domains, including paediatrics, aged care, and adult mental health. Her career has spanned both hospital and community care settings across Brisbane, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of patient needs at various life stages. With a strong clinical background and a compassionate approach, Sarah has worked alongside multidisciplinary teams, ensuring holistic and person-centred care for patients and their families. Coming from a proud military family, Sarah has a deep personal connection to the veteran community. Her grandfather served in the Vietnam War, her father is a veteran, and she has multiple other close family members who have also served in the Australian Defence Force. This background has given her a profound appreciation for the challenges that veterans face, particularly in relation to health and wellbeing. Her passion for working in healthcare extends to ensuring that veterans receive the respect, understanding, and high-quality services they deserve. A strong advocate for delivering exceptional service, Sarah is passionate about enhancing customer experience and patient satisfaction. She believes in treating every individual with dignity, empathy, and respect, ensuring they feel valued and supported throughout their healthcare journey. Her ability to communicate effectively and navigate complex care pathways allows her to build trusting relationships with patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike. Beyond her professional life, Sarah is a devoted mother of four and calls North Brisbane home. She treasures family time and enjoys the freedom of travelling across Australia with her husband and children in their caravan, embracing the opportunity to explore new places and create lasting memories. Whether at work or on the road, Sarah is committed to fostering meaningful connections and making a positive impact on the lives of those around her.