Soft toys, colouring books, puzzles, and games, all wrapped in vibrant, festive paper, showcasing the incredible kindness and generosity of the community, were recently delivered by ISS Facilities Services, to the Children’s Ward at Northern Hospital Epping. These delightful gifts brought smiles not only to the children but also to their families, spreading joy and Christmas cheer.

This year for the first time, presents will also be shared with children under the Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI) program. The FaPMI program has over 200 consumer parents.

Snezana Poposka – Facility Services Manager, started the Christmas Appeal in 2017 with a heartfelt mission to bring happiness to children during their hospital stay throughout the Christmas and New Year period. The idea was born almost seven years ago when Ms Poposka, a mother herself, felt deeply for the children spending Christmas in a hospital bed instead of at home with their loved ones.

Since then, the annual donation drive has grown with over 500 gifts now being donated. This wonderful tradition continues to grow, lighting up the holiday season for so many young patients and their families.

These heartfelt gifts, surpassing 100 each year, are lovingly contributed by the compassionate staff at ISS, Northern Health, and the local community. Ms Poposka expressed her deep gratitude to all the ISS and Northern Health staff, as well as the Northern Health Foundation, for their unwavering support and generosity throughout the years. She said, ” Your collective kindness has made a world of difference, bringing warmth and happiness to the children and their families during the holiday season.”

Alecia Caddy, Nurse Unit Manager – Ward 2 Paediatrics, said, “We are forever grateful to Snez and the amazing ISS Facilities Services team for their outstanding kindness and generosity, which has brought so much joy and happiness to children and their families in the hospital during Christmas, a time when they need it most. Their selflessness is a shining example of the true meaning of Christmas.”

Vicki Sarikoudis, FaPMI Co-ordinator, said, “The FaPMI program is extremely grateful to ISS Facilities Services, for their donation of gifts and toys – and our consumer parents and their children are excited to receive the gifts provided!”

Saj Amerasinghe, Key Account Manager, ISS Facility Services at Northern Health, had this to say, “This annual tradition is all about spreading holiday cheer to children during the festive season. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve had the highest level of support this year.”

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Northern Health staff, as well as the wider ISS teams, including the Melbourne Airport aviation team and our Melbourne Head Office, for their amazing support. The gifts will not only brighten Christmas for these children but also serve as a source of joy!”

“This initiative showcases the strength of our partnership with Northern Health, highlighting the compassion and dedication of everyone involved. We’re already looking forward to making next year’s appeal even bigger and better!”, Mr Amerasinghe added.

Christmas came early for Julian Raykovski , featured in our main image

On Friday, 6 December 2024, Northern Health hosted its annual Volunteer Christmas Party to honour the incredible contributions of its dedicated volunteers. The festive event took place at Casa D’Abruzzo Club in Epping, bringing together over 120 volunteers from across Northern Health’s campuses.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, music, and gratitude as Northern Health leaders expressed their heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time and energy to supporting patients and staff.

Pina Di Donato, Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation, praised the volunteers, saying, “Our volunteers and consumer advisors are the backbone of Northern Health and we thank them for the precious gift of their time. They enable us to do things we just couldn’t do without them. Today, we celebrate all of our volunteers and thank them for their dedicated services.”

Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch, festive entertainment, and a heartfelt slideshow showcasing memorable moments from 2024. A special mention was made on behalf of Joan Stroud, a dedicated Northern Health volunteer who sadly passed away from a short battle with cancer earlier this year. Her volunteer family at Northern Health remember her quick wit and beautiful smile, keeping Joan in their thoughts during their Christmas party.

Natalie Carroll, Northern Health Volunteer Coordinator, who lead the organisation of the event, was thrilled to see how the volunteers across all campuses came together to celebrate another great year helping their community.

“We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and continued support from all of our Northern Health volunteers. It’s a very special thing to give up your time to help others in need, and we are so thankful that we have such an amazing community of volunteers who are not only willing, but wanting to do that,” said Natalie.

The volunteers services team currently manage 166 volunteers across all Northern Health campuses, with over 12,500 hours of their time dedicated to our health service this year alone, which is an incredible effort.

Thank you to all local sporting associations, religious groups, craft and social clubs for their ongoing support this year, who also enthusiastically engage in activities to give back to our health service in a meaningful way, including Busy Fingers Auxiliary for dedicating over 50 years of service to Northern Health’s Bundoora Centre.

Northern Health extends its deepest appreciation to its volunteers and looks forward to another year of collaboration and care.

Featured image L-R: Alicia Podgomik, Gayani Silva, Carmen Calleja, Mandy Davis, Gwen Hurley, Maria Cardamone.

That’s a wrap for 2024! As we bid goodbye to this wonderful year, let’s hit rewind and relive the standout moments we’ve shared with our amazing online followers. From feel-good stories and handy health tips to VIP visits and outstanding achievements by our Northern Health staff, this year has been a real gem.

1.VIP visits, major events and a successful accreditation!

We were thrilled to host Premier of Victoria Hon Jacinta Allan MP and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas, who visited to announce significant funding for Broadmeadows Hospital as part of the Metropolitan Health Infrastructure plan and the opening of one of 20 comprehensive women’s health clinics by Northern Health.

In March, our social media buzzed with highlights from International Women’s Day, where we honoured the amazing women in our workforce with a fun video tribute. ANZAC Day 2024 was marked with heartfelt tributes, while our successful accreditation during the Short Notice Assessment in May proved our ongoing commitment to excellence.

2. Heart-warming patient stories

2024 was filled with incredible stories of resilience and recovery. Patient Caitlyn Cooper’s journey from a life-threatening condition to full recovery and back to professional dancing, was nothing short of inspiring. Dr Sahil Hashemi, an International Medical Graduate from Afghanistan, shared his story from being a refugee to becoming a vital part of the Northern Health team.

A dying patient’s dream came true when his treating oncologist and car enthusiast, Dr Jaclyn Yoong, took him for a ride in a loud and powerful Porsche, and 104-year-old Betty Soraghan at Dianella Village Aged Care Hostel, Kilmore, shared her wisdom in an episode for our Visiting Hours podcast. And we ended the year with joy, by welcoming Lola, Northern Health’s first ever Public Fertility Services bub!

3. Emotional farewell to Northern Health CE Siva Sivarajah

In August, we bid a bittersweet farewell to our Northern Health CE Siva Sivarajah, after almost a decade of visionary leadership. Siva’s tenure has been one of transformation and growth, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire us all for years to come.

The farewell was a celebration of Siva’s incredible journey at Northern Health, filled with heartfelt reflections from colleagues and a candid Q&A session. And in true Northern Health fashion, we couldn’t let him leave without asking our signature coffee order question!

4. Diversity and inclusivity

At Northern Health, our strength lies in our diversity, and this year we proudly celebrated the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our community. From Easter to Ramadan, Orthodox Easter to Diwali, and the vibrant events of NAIDOC Week, every celebration was a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and belonging.

These moments brought us together to learn, share, and honour the traditions of our colleagues and the community we serve, ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

5. Northern Health stars shine bright in 2024!

Many of our staff’s achievements were celebrated throughout the year. We proudly recognised Dr Zena Barak for her excellence in nephrology and congratulated Associate Professor Suzi Nou, for being honoured with the AMA 2024 President Award. In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, we were thrilled to see Dr Sherene Devanesen and Dr Amanda Baric receive the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, while Dr Oliver Cronin was successful in his application for the Fulbright Future Scholarship. We were also proud to showcase our commitment to sustainability by embracing Virtual healthcare, which was recognised and won for reducing the health sector’s carbon footprint at the prestigious 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards event.

6. Podcast and ongoing engagement

During 2024, the Visiting Hours podcast kept our audience engaged with insightful interviews from Northern Health experts like Associate Professors Prahlad Ho and Jacklyn Yoong, Professors Lisa Hui and Shekhar Kumta, and many more. The podcast continued to spark conversations about important health topics and deepened our connection with the community. Alongside that, we recognised the hard work and dedication of our staff through Quarterly Awards and Length of Service events.

As we look back on 2024, the stories and milestones that defined this year remind us of the extraordinary dedication and care within our Northern Health community. From moments of compassion to the teamwork that exemplifies our values – Safe, Kind and Together, this year has truly been one to cherish.

To our online community, thank you for every like, comment, and share. Your support connects us and amplifies the incredible work we do together.

As we step into 2025, we are excited to continue this journey with you, building on our shared achievements and celebrating even more stories of kindness, care, and community. Stay tuned for what’s ahead!

#NorthernHealth #2024YearInReview #HealthcareHeroes #CommunityImpact #OurJourneyTogether

ISS Facility Services, a trusted partner of Northern Health, has launched an inclusive jobs program, creating meaningful professional pathways for our specially-abled ISS Placemakers. This initiative places team members in essential roles such as food services and cleaning, directly supporting Northern Health’s dedication to exceptional patient care.

Saj Amerasinghe, ISS – Key Account Manager at Northern Health, shared, “This program opens transformative opportunities for our placemakers, empowering both ISS and Northern Health to attract and nurture a dedicated workforce from within our community, all committed to delivering outstanding service to our patients.”

Ashleigh, one of the first recruits to the program, describes herself as “punctual, hardworking, and confident.” She was motivated to apply because she wanted “to work in a team, helping people.”
Melinda, another recruit, expresses her joy and independence in her role and is eager to continue ‘learning and growing in her career.”

Rick Garotti, Deputy CFO of Northern Health, remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with ISS in launching this inclusive jobs program at Northern Health. The program offers life-changing opportunities for participants and enables ISS and Northern Health to recruit and develop a dedicated workforce that provides high-quality service to our patients.”

Wendy Nicol, Operations Manager for Support Services, added, “We look forward to witnessing the growth and success of the ISS inclusive jobs program and integrating its principles into our own PSA Support Services workforce.”

Mr. Amerasinghe further commented, “Together, we are creating meaningful careers, enhancing patient care, and demonstrating how diversity and inclusion drive service excellence and community-cantered care. We are excited to welcome even more participants to the program. Safe, kind and together.”

Featured image shows from left to right: Melinda Zahra and Ashleigh Coyle.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Steve Carnell, Content Producer, Public Affairs, Northern Health.

Q. Firstly, what’s your coffee order?
A. I much prefer hot chocolate to coffee. I get my caffeine fix from cola, but I can quit any time I like. 🙂

Q. You’ve been at Northern Health for many years, starting as a PSA and now working in Public Affairs. What has this journey meant to you?
A. Yes, I started as a Patient Services Assistant while I was completing a bachelor of audio engineering. I really enjoyed the work and the people. I had the good fortune to become a Support Services supervisor, which taught me a lot about myself. One day I responded to an expression of interest for the Explorers program to check out Public Affairs, as I was interested to see that side of the organisation.  I had no idea it would lead to an opportunity to be able to work with the wonderful PA team on a permanent basis, doing the things I love in an organisation I care about. Quite honestly, I am living my dream. I like to think I haven’t changed in my interactions with people. Always leading with love whether it’s cleaning toilets or shaking hands with dignitaries (ensuring good hand hygiene practices are adhered to of course).

Q. You’re the voice behind Visiting Hours, our very own Northern Health podcast. Do you have a favourite moment so far?
A. I think the voice of Visiting Hours actually belongs to the guests. It’s always an eye opener to hear people’s stories, and how they fit into the Northern Health family. When the idea of a podcast was first pitched to me, I was under the impression I’d be in more of a producing role rather than in front of the mic. But here we are two seasons in with a listenership that extends to over 60 countries.  You should really give it a listen.

It’s hard to pick a favourite moment. I do love those moments when the guests and I just click and share a laugh. In terms of impact, Leanne Murphy’s episode where she shares her birthing trauma story, is high on my list. Her strength of character is insurmountable.

Click here to listen to Visiting Hours and explore the incredible stories of our Northern Health family.

Q. I believe music plays such a big role in your life. How does it inspire and shape the work you do at Northern Health?
A. I feel blessed to be able to write little pieces of music that sit under some of the videos that go out. I recall one in particular for a series of vignettes for RU Ok day. Having those conversations with colleagues and friends is often like a dance; a waltz; a gentle to and fro of listening, offering support and being bold enough to share. So, I wrote a little waltz that flows and floats when the elements are played together. However, when some of the elements are played in isolation, they seem disjointed and a little out of kilter. This was an intentional reflection of the importance of sharing our needs and problems with others, combining our incompleteness into something with the potential for beauty.

Q. Outside of work, how do you relax or recharge?
A. My mind is always running, but I love spending time with my family, just in the ordinary everyday simple pleasures.

Q. Is there any place you would love to travel and why?
A. Iceland and the Faroe Islands. I’ve always wanted to travel there. Remote and untamed.

Q. If you could create your dream project for Northern Health—no budget limits—what would it be?
A. We are Northern: The Musical. A story about a nurse from a rural and remote setting as she embarks on a new journey at a bustling health service. Along the way, she navigates fresh challenges, discovers a vibrant community, and perhaps even finds love.

If you have an inspiring story or work you’re proud of and would love to share it with the world on our podcast, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Steve at publicaffairs@nh.org.

Northern Health Foundation acknowledges the unwavering support of our long-standing Foundation patrons, Bev Carman, Trudi Hay and Josie Minniti OAM. Collectively, they have been a beacon of hope and progress for the community for many years. Through various creative fundraising initiatives, these dedicated individuals have contributed significantly to the Foundation’s mission of improving health services across Northern Health campuses.

Over the years, Bev, Trudi and Josie have organised countless events like charity luncheons, dinner dances and race day events for the local and wider community, each bringing together thousands of supporters over the years. These activities not only raised vital funds for Northern Health Cancer Services, but also fostered a sense of community engagement, reflecting the spirit of Northern Health’s “Year of Kindness.”

On 7 November 2024, Bev Carman hosted her annual Race Day event at Kilmore Trackside, with an amazing turnout of guests who frocked up in their best attires. Bev has been hosting her Race Day event for 15 consecutive years to support Cancer Services at Northern Hospital Epping. This event is a testament to Bev’s dedication and generosity in helping to ensure that patients and families have access to the best care possible when undergoing treatment.

Similarly, Trudi hosted her annual high tea event where she is also raising funds for Northern Health’s Cancer Services. With another successful year, Trudi was able to raise $15,000 for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Trudi has been a long-standing patron of Northern Health Foundation and has taken on the role of Deputy Chair of the Foundation Board. Her efforts to fundraise for our health service have been nothing short of inspiring.

Josie will be holding her 27th dinner dance next year, which is an incredible effort. Thank you, Josie, for your unwavering support of our health service. Together, funds raised have supported the acquisition of medical equipment, ensuring patients receive state-of-the-art care. Additionally, their efforts facilitated the expansion and refurbishment of patient and visitor spaces, including the Cancer Wellness Lounge in Ward 5, along with the support of Margie Hill.

Through their dedication, our Northern Health Foundation Patrons exemplify the profound impact of community-led initiatives on public health, embodying Northern Health’s commitment to innovation, care, and connection. We thank them all and look forward to seeing their ongoing impact on our health service.

Featured image L-R: Melissa Grenville, Adam Jaskulowski, Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Maureen Corrigan, Barb Jaskulowski, Josie Minniti OAM, Rino Minniti, Bev Carman, Dr Frances Barnett, Pina Di Donato, and Trudi Hay

Northern Health’s Department of Gastroenterology made a significant impact at this year’s Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW) in Adelaide, leading or contributing to an impressive 29 accepted abstracts. This marks the department’s most substantial contribution to the national meeting to date.

Highlighting the event, three abstracts were selected for oral presentations, including two by current Liver Fellow and incoming Gastroenterology Registrar for 2025, Dr Leya Nedumannil. Jonathan Maker, a final year Medical Student at Northern Health, also presented the largest systematic review and meta-analysis to date on the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in colonoscopy.

In the poster hall, the Department continued to excel with two posters nominated as Posters of Merit, including one by Liver Clinical Nurse Consultant Kristen Peake. Dr Nedumannil’s poster was also recognised as a finalist for this award. Several posters by the interns, registrars, IBD and endoscopy fellows also received substantial attention.

Further accolades included Dr Nicholas Hannah being shortlisted as a finalist for the Young Investigator Award, honouring his PhD work under the supervision of Associate Professor Sid Sood, Head of Hepatology.

Director of Gastroenterology, Associate Professor Mayur Garg, who co-convened the highly successful Postgraduate Course and chaired several sessions at the meeting, praised the team’s achievements.

“It was tremendous to see Northern Health researchers contributing in such an impactful way, as much as any other Australian centre, at this national meeting. It is a privilege to be a part of such a dynamic and enthusiastic team, and a health service that encourages learning, growth and innovation,” he stated.

Nurse Practitioner Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions of our Nurse Practitioners to healthcare.

At Northern Health, Nurse Practitioners have been an integral part of our care model since the early 2000s, shaping the delivery of exceptional, patient-centred care across our services.

Today, Northern Health is proud to have over 30 Nurse Practitioners, and several candidates working towards endorsement.

These highly skilled professionals represent a wide range of specialties, including Aged Care, Diabetes, Emergency Department (ED), Mental Health, Endoscopy, Haematology, Heart Failure, Mental Health, Neonatal Care, Oncology, Pain Management, Palliative Care, Plastics, Pleural Care, Stroke, and Virtual ED.

“Nurse Practitioners play an important role in providing specialised care to patients, families and the community. Northern Health is fortunate to have such dedicated Nurse Practitioners in numerous specialities providing outstanding care,” said Vicki Malamatinas, Plastic and Reconstructive Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health.

With advanced education and clinical training, Nurse Practitioners are equipped to provide an extensive range of healthcare services.

From diagnosing and prescribing medications to performing procedures, interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing treatment plans, their expertise is critical to delivering holistic and comprehensive care.

“We, as Nurse Practitioners, are advanced practice nurses dedicated to ensuring best practice in patient care and safety,” said Nicole Gauthier, Pain Management Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health.

This dedicated week shines a light on the invaluable role Nurse Practitioners play in improving patient outcomes. Known for their holistic approach, Nurse Practitioners focus not only on treating illnesses but also on promoting overall health and wellbeing.

Their work embodies Northern Health’s values of safe, kind, and together, ensuring patients receive personalised and preventative care tailored to their needs.

Nurse Practitioner Week also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of the expanding roles of Nurse Practitioners and advocate for policies that support their contributions to high-quality healthcare.

“Nurse Practitioners lead change in healthcare. We are advocates for helping our patients to prioritise health in their choices, understanding that every decision contributes to a healthier future,” said Elizabeth Mackey, Stroke Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health.

Tyson McLeod, one of our dedicated candidates, shared in a recent podcast about his candidacy and journey toward becoming a Nurse Practitioner – listen to his podcast here.

To all our Nurse Practitioners, thank you for the extraordinary difference you make every day.