February 2020
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From Patient to Broadmeadows Hospital Volunteer
Michael Fedyshyn has been a volunteer at Northern Health for six years, but has been a patient of Northern Health for over 15 years. Michael credits his experience as a patient for his journey to becoming a volunteer. In 2004, Michael suffered a blood clot in the brain and a stroke. The stroke meant Michael had to start again and learn how to speak and walk – something a lot of us take for granted – we never expect to have to learn these skills again later in life. Through the support of his doctors at Northern Health, Michael’s outlook…
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Small Research Grants: Asking big questions
The Small Research Grant (SRG) recipients of Round 23 are asking big questions. Justin Wong, Orthopaedic Surgeon, wants to know if, “there’s a better way to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?” Shannon Smith, Clinical Nurse Specialist ICU, would like to know if, ‘alarm fatigue’ is affecting patient care. Jenny Huynh, General Surgery Fellow, is asking, “Can a ‘one-stop’ Benign Breast Clinic further improve outcomes for women in the north?” “How much oxygen is good for you?” asks Maureen Goodwin, Clinical Nurse Consultant Respiratory Medicine. The SRG Recipients are hoping to find the answers to these and other research questions,…
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Jenefer Williams on how consumers can make a change
Five years ago, Jenefer Williams’ mother had a stroke and was treated at a Melbourne hospital. Jenefer’s personal experience of trying to access quality care for her mother, across various levels of health care, was her main motivation to get involved in health care as a consumer. “Having ageing parents within the Victorian public health care system, I initially found it an intricate and often confusing place. It was frequently difficult and impossible to navigate and my family experienced many system failures that ultimately contributed to poor health outcomes,” she said. “This was when I had a light bulb moment,…
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Foundation Chair John Molnar receives Order of Australia Medal
Northern Health Foundation Chair John Molnar was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the recent Australian Honours announced on Australia Day. John received the award in recognition of his support and services to charitable organisations, including Northern Health Foundation. He is Director of Freemasons Victoria and Master of the Victorian Naval and Military Lodge 49. “We congratulate John for your great support of Northern Health’s patients and services through the Northern Health Foundation over many years,” said Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive Northern Health. “Your dedication and support is truly appreciated by Northern Health’s Board and Executive”. Jennifer Williams Chair…
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Ideas Lab: Space for thinking differently
Northern Health’s Ideas Lab is a creative and fun monthly workshop, open to all staff who wish to contribute to problem-solving with their ideas. Every month, the Chief Executive led Ideas Lab features a different topic and staff are encouraged to thing innovatively, brainstorm in teams and present on creative solutions. Ariana Carrodus, Project Manager, who hosts the Ideas Lab, says we are the only public health service in Victoria that has an Ideas Lab. “While Ideas Labs are common in the private sector, they are very rare in public sectors. It is a purposefully designed space, away from the…
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Salvation Army support safe sleep for babies
When Michelle Morrow, Nurse Unit Manager, Maternity, identified that introducing a Pepi-Pod safe sleep space program at Northern Hospital could prevent infant falls due to co-sleeping, she approached the Northern Health Foundation to seek funding. The Pepi-Pod is designed to sit on a bed alongside a new mother, with safety rail up, so mothers can attend to baby’s needs in those important first hours or days of life. Pepi-Pods are especially important if a new mother has had a caesarean section and her mobility is decreased. “From a midwife’s perspective, we encourage mothers to take as much care of their…
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Welcome Certificate III students!
This week, we welcomed six Certificate III Students to Northern Health for 2020. The students will be working across many different departments, including pathology, finance, HRO, allied health and engineering/gardening services. Alysha Spencer, Advisor, People and Culture, explained this program provides our students with business administration experience, recognised business experience and qualifications through our partnership with Apprenticeships Group Australia (AGA). “These students have joined us from various high schools in the northern catchment area. A highlight for Northern Health this year is welcoming our first Engineering student, Blake Dennehy. Blake is currently completing a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens,…
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Get to know: Q&A with Jenny Christof
In this month’s Get to know: Q&A with…we catch up with Jenny Christof, HARP Care Coordinator from Bundoora Centre. What is your coffee order? I have become a tea drinker of late – so I normally order an English Breakfast or Earl Grey – white with one. What does a typical work day look for you? I work for the HARP complex needs program based at the Bundoora Centre. A normal day for me would be to come in and check emails and also check if any of my clients have presented back to hospital. I also look to see…