For today’s ‘Get to know’ profile, we caught up with Steve Manolas, the new Director of General Surgery.
What is your coffee order?
I usually have a flat white.
Tell us about your time/career so far at Northern Health?
I have been part of Northern Health and PANCH’s history since 1991. Initially, I started as a senior Registrar/Fellow, and then went on to become a general surgeon.
During this time, I started an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) service at PANCH, which continued at Northern Health from 1998.
Although initially my work was very general, I had an interest in thyroid surgery. When I became Head of Unit for Surg 3, I developed this unit into the Endocrine Surgical Unit with Upper GI, under the same umbrella.
As the Director of General Surgery, what does a working day look like for you?
This role has very quickly expanded my understanding of the hospital processes behind the scenes. I have a new understanding of all the effort that goes in to supporting the clinical side that we sometimes take for granted.
What are you looking forward to the most in this new role?
I am very interested in helping General Surgery expand and build on the good work that has been done so far.
What was your career before Northern Health?
I spent my junior years in medicine at Western Hospital, then at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital for all my surgical training.
After my Fellowship, I spent about two years in Gloucester, England, developing my ERCP skills and progressing my endocrine interests.
I then returned to PANCH in 1991, and subsequently Northern Health.
If you could describe Northern Health in one sentence, what would it be?
Northern Health has been a friendly and supportive place to work, and this is due to the people that we work with every day, from the front desk staff, cleaners, nurses, and colleagues – you enjoy coming into work.
The recent floods in Victoria pose a risk of increased mosquito breeding.
Mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases that can make people very ill and, in severe cases, can even cause death.
Simple precautions can help protect you and your loved ones against mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry.
Cover up by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing as mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing. Use repellents that contain picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin. Use mosquito nets or insect screens. Use ‘knockdown’ fly spray, mosquito coils or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit or eat. Limit outdoor exposure and move indoor if possible. If you are on holidays, make sure your accommodation is fitted with mosquito netting or screens.
Children are also vulnerable to mosquito bites. It is important they wear long, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors, and apply a thin even layer of mosquito repellent to all exposed skin, avoiding hands, eyes and mouth. Choose a lower strength repellent for young children and babies – no more than 20 per cent picaridin or DEET. Parents can drape a mosquito net over prams, stroller or infant carriers.
Mosquitoes can breed in even the tiniest amount of stagnant water. It is best to stay away from these places. If you are in a place where this is stagnant water – taking part in recovery efforts for instance – make sure you wear long, loose-fitting clothes and use repellents.
Elisha O’Dowd, Nurse Unit Manager, Infection Prevention and Surveillance, said, “Three years of La Nina weather patterns have triggered a rise in population of mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases. As we approach more rainy, warm weather, it is vitally important to protect ourselves and our families,” she said.
Associate Professor Joe Rotella said, “Prevention is key. For families who enjoy the great outdoors, consider travelling to areas further removed from the floods to minimise exposure to mosquitoes and possible disease. Furthermore, be mindful that mosquitoes will be more prevalent around local streams and creeks that may have increased in size after heavy rainfall.”
“Symptoms of diseases spread by mosquito include fever, headache, rash and sore/swollen joints. If you attend mosquito-prone areas and then develop these symptoms, please see your GP. Alternatively, you can speak to the Victorian Virtual ED here.”
To learn more about how you can protect yourself and your family, click here.
Long-standing Northern Health Foundation supporter, Rino Minniti, was awarded the 2022 Victorian Senior of the Year Award at Government House on Wednesday, recognising his wonderful efforts to make a positive difference in our community.
Rino migrated from Southern Italy to Australia in 1966, where he opened his first hair salon in Lalor, welcoming local and wider community members six days a week for over fifty years. Unsurprisingly, Rino also found the time to propagate plants to sell at markets to raise funds for cancer services, often laughing and chatting with the locals that helped to form an even deeper connection with his community.
In addition to working long weeks, Rino continues to participate in many cancer fundraiser activities, for which he has been involved in for over 20 years. With his family having been touched by cancer many times, Rino’s support has been invaluable to Northern Health.
In November 2020, Rino held a ‘Walk for Cancer’ fundraiser, where he took on the task of walking from Northern Hospital Epping to PANCH in Preston, an impressive distance of 11.3km. This was an incredible effort on Rino’s behalf, who was able to raise vital funds for Northern Health Cancer Services.
His commitment and involvement with the community is nothing short of inspiring. Patients who undergo treatment at Northern Health often frequent charity events held by Rino and his wife Josie Minniti OAM, to show their support.
Henni Wade, Volunteer Services Manager, Northern Hospital Epping, nominated Rino for the award, and was thrilled upon hearing he’d been accepted as the winner.
“Rino has been such an amazing help not only to Northern Health, but the community as a whole. I think everyone really feels that. He’s fundraising efforts have helped raise money to purchase items that have held such great use for so many people, it’s just wonderful.”
In 1999-2000, Rino’s hair salon was also awarded Whittlesea’s Business of the Year, and Rino received another award, winning Whittlesea’s Citizen of the Year. Together, Rino and Josie commenced their charity work together in 1999, and each have been a pillar of strength to one other, raising $750,000 for cancer services at both the Austin and Northern Hospital Epping throughout this time.
Rino’s fundraising has enabled the purchase of a significant array of equipment for Northern Hospital Epping, including treatment chairs, a machine to detect breast cancer for the Emergency Department, a defibrillator, and many more important pieces of equipment to improve quality of life care and life-changing services.
Thank you Rino for being an outstanding citizen, and a pillar in our community. We look forward to seeing the amazing things you will achieve in the future. On behalf of everyone at Northern Health, we extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude.
It is no coincidence that in the same month as Research Week 2022, we also celebrate two significant research grants.
Firstly, congratulations to Professor Natalie Hannan and Associate Professor Lisa Hui, co-founders of the Northern Centre for Health Education & Research (NCHER) Reproductive Health Biobank, on each being awarded a 2023 Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship.
The Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship is awarded by the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences through a highly competitive process. It is named after the noted Australian physician and paediatrician. This award recognises the immense contributions that Natalie and Lisa have already made and continue to make to the faculty and the northern precinct.
“It is an incredible honour to receive a Dame Kate Campbell fellowship, and especially gratifying to have our efforts to establish research in Women’s and Children’s Health at the Northern Precinct recognised,” Lisa said.
Natalie describes Dame Kate Campbell, as “an incredibly inspiring medical researcher.” The same could be said of Research Week, which serves to raise the bar and provide a benchmark of the high-quality research being undertaken at Northern Health.
“I am so very humbled to have been awarded a Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship. This award means so much to us and will support us towards achieving our own research goals and impact. We are so grateful for the support from Northern Health,” Natalie said.
Equally noteworthy is the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Research Grant to Dr Kay Weng Choy and his team from Northern Pathology Victoria – for the second consecutive year. Every year, the RCPA Foundation offers Quality Assurance Program (QAP) Research Grants (AUD$30,000) to ‘support a research project involving the development and interpretation of Quality Assurance Programs’.
QAPs ensure that pathology results are fit for clinical purposes and are essential for ongoing laboratory accreditation.
“In 2021, my colleagues and I here at Northern Pathology Victoria were awarded the grant to develop a QAP for urea breath tests. This year, we were successful in our application for the same grant to develop a QAP for plasma copeptin,” said Kay Weng.
“For a relatively new laboratory this is a great achievement for the team,” he added.
Faye Zaibak, Director, Research Operations, said, “Research Week allows us to come together as an organisation and celebrate the achievements of our researchers.”
“Events such as this bring world best thought leaders together to share their experience and perspectives and challenge us to new heights,” Faye said.
Associate Professor Wanda S Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer, said, “Research Week brought together a vibrant group of enthusiastic researchers and supporters – an amazing week! So it’s no surprise that Northern Health researchers are being recognised further afield. Congratulations, Natalie, Lisa and Kay Weng!”
“Get to know your lemons.” It’s a simple message that Cheryl Murray, Breast Care Nurse Consultant, encourages women to become familiar with.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Australia, with one in seven women at risk of being diagnosed. Men can also be affected by breast cancer, with one in 555 men also at risk.
To keep on top of breast health, Cheryl encourages women and men to, “get to know your breasts.”
“Normal changes in our breasts happen over time,” she said.
“Get to know your breasts, what is normal for you? Breasts are all different shapes and sizes, and breast health is important for all.”
“You should get to know your breasts, because you need to know the normal look and feel of them, which will help you notice any new changes.”
According to the Know Your Lemons Foundation, there are 12 symptoms of breast cancer to look out for. This includes new lumps or thickening in the breast, especially if in only one breast, nipple sores, change in shape of the nipple, discharge, changes in the size or shape of the breast, skin of the breast dimpling, discomfort or swelling in the armpit, rash or red swollen breasts or ongoing pain that is not related to your menstrual cycle that remains after your period and occurs in only one breast.
But for some people, there are no symptoms, and the cancer is found during a mammogram or a physical examination by a doctor.
“If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a better chance for survival. Women whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage have higher survival rates in the first five years,” Cheryl said.
Women of all ages are encouraged to self-check their breasts, and women aged 50 to 74 should undergo breast screening every two years.
Last week, our staff proudly donned pink scrubs and attire as part of Pink Ribbon Day. October also marks Breast Cancer Awareness month – a strong reminder to all women to put their health and wellbeing first.
Today, Northern Health virtually held the Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards, to formally celebrate and acknowledge the great work of our staff.
We had an outstanding response from our staff, with a number of nominations across seven categories. Today’s ceremony awarded winners from 2022 Quarter 2 (April – June) and Quarter 3 (July – September), and also marked the addition of a new category – Education.
Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, opened the ceremony, congratulating all staff on their exceptional work.
“Northern Health has over 7,500 staff, who work across a wide range of areas, and who are committed to providing great care each and every day, across all of our sites and in a range of areas and disciplines,” she said.
“Among our award winners today are staff who exemplify a strong and positive workplace culture, staying true to Northern Health’s values of ‘safe, kind, together’, and who continue to show a genuine commitment to their patients.”
Before presenting staff with their awards, she also acknowledged the many staff who received nominations.
“The number and standard of nominations for these awards were very high. I would like to acknowledge and congratulate all staff who received a nomination. Your hard work is appreciated and valued by all of us at Northern Health,” she said.
Prudence Poon, EMR Clinical Solution Lead Clinical Documentation, and Anna D’Agostino, Administrator, were presented with the Above and Beyond Award, for providing extra care or support to a patient, family or work colleague.
The Clinical Excellence Award, which recognises a clinician or clinical team who are generous with knowledge, instils confidence in patients and colleagues, and achieves the best patient outcomes, was presented to Sally Graham, Wound Nurse Consultant and Dr Wei Ling Lean, Paediatrician and Neonatologist.
The Patient Experience Award, presented to an individual or team who has made a significant achievement in improving the care experience, including showing kindness and compassion towards a patient, family, or work colleague, was awarded to the Kath Atkinson Ward and Kim West, Senior Clinician Social Worker.
Alexandra Bogdanovski, Discharge Coordinator and Graham Wilson, OHS Director, won the Excellence in Safety Award, for making Northern Health safer for patients, visitors or staff.
Shannon Smith, Clinical Nurse Educator (ICU) together with Gagandeep Ahluwalia, Critical Care Registered Nurse (ICU) and Dr Hosim Thapa, Anaesthetist, took home the Innovation Award for implementing a better way to deliver care or service through a new idea or initiative.
The Rising Star Award, presented to a staff member who has great potential to grow and develop in their career at Northern Health, was won by Tamara Cannan, Team Leader at BIPU and Sanjali Das, Advisor, Organisational Capability.
Lastly, the inaugural winners of the Education Award were Susie Sangas, Manager of Medical Education and Dr Andrew Foote, Rheumatology Head of Unit, for having exceptional skills and passion to pass on their knowledge to others in either a clinical or administrative environments.
During the presentation, viewers sent messages of congratulations to our award winners.
“Congratulations Leanne and KAW team, well deserved. Very proud to be your Divisional Director Nursing.” – Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.
“Congratulations and well-deserved Kim. Fantastic work and caring to all always.” – Joy Barrowman.
“Congratulations Sanjali for your amazing work!” – Casey O’Brien.
“Well done Tamara!!! Congratulations.” – John Belanti.
“Well done Andrew – congratulations!” – Carol Chong.
“Congratulations Graham, a great leader and colleague!” – Casey O’Brien.
“Congratulations Susie! Great work and thank you for supporting the CDI Team.” – Mary Kouvas.
“Great work Shannon and Gagandeep!” – Kate Duggan.
“Well done Sally – you are amazing!! Congratulations.” – Carol Chong.
“Congratulations Anna! Very well deserved!” – Tanya Goodison.
“Well done Prue and congratulations on your well-deserved award.” – Melissa Sajeva.
“Well done Alexandra!” – Bianca Fazzari.
Congratulations once again to all our award winners and nominees! The Quarterly Staff Recognition Award are sponsored by BankVic and Northern Health Foundation.
To watch the ceremony recording, please click here.
Featured images shows our winners L-R top row: Prudence Poon, Sally Graham, Dr Wei Ling Lean, Dr Hosim Thapa.
L-R middle row: Alexandra Bogdanovski, Gagandeep Ahluwalia, Shannon Smith, Leanne Shannon, Kim West.
L-R bottom row: Dr Andrew Foote, Tamara Cannan, Sanjali Das, Susie Sangas.
Please note, Graham Wilson and Anna D’Agostino were absent from today’s ceremony.
Peter Tseros, Mobile Lending Manager, BankVic, Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, and Ryan Mitra, Regional Manager – Mobile Lenders BankVic
A spiritual caregiver’s role is rooted in the sacred space of the selfless acts of listening that promotes open and safe conversations to manifest into moments of hope and resilience.
This week we celebrate Spiritual Care Week, an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral care workers to share their story and to celebrate the important impact they make on patient care at Northern Health.
Our pastoral care team are Northern Health employees, faith employed chaplains and volunteer chaplains, who cover a wide variety of faith and spiritual beliefs.
One team member commented, “We, as the Pastoral Care team, offer a space that sees a patient as a person who wants to have their story heard. A space where we can offer holistic care, because our spiritual health is just as important as our physical health.”
Reverend Melanie Moore, Anglican and Palliative Care Chaplain at left extreme and Natalia Dewiyani, pastoral care worker at extreme right with Registrar Aaron Bagnato and Palliative Care Consultant Georgina van der Vliet
Dr Georgie van der Vliet, Consultant for Palliative Care Services, said, “Pastoral care is an incredibly valuable element of providing patient-centred care. Its core focus is connecting with a person’s humanity and respecting their dignity. Thank you to all of our pastoral care team for the work that you do.”
Danielle Baker, Acting Nurse Unit Manager, ICU, said, “As we have a very diverse cultural and ethnic background of patients, understanding their needs is vital to providing holistic, patient focused care. We have noticed that in ICU, given the acuity of the patients, there is definitely a need to provide pastoral and spiritual services to our patients and their families. It is often wonderful to witness the peace of mind that is given to families knowing that their loved one has received spiritual and religious care in one of the most important stages of their life.”
“It really encompasses Northern Health values of ‘kind and together’ when we are able to provide this service in their most challenging time,” said Danielle.
The role of our pastoral care service here at Northern Health was best exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few of the stories they have to share.
“I cared for a dying patient in Ward 6. His sister was the only family he had. She was too unwell to visit the hospital and has not seen him due to COVID-19 restrictions. I was able to setup a video call for his sister to give him his last prayer. She was grateful for the opportunity, as their faith was important to them.”
“The daughter of an elderly Turkish patient, from a non-English speaking background, requested a Muslim chaplain to pray for her mother. We were able to organise a chaplain who speaks her language to pray with her. We received feedback from the daughter on how it comforted her.”
“A patient in Oncology Ward said to me, ‘Thank you for listening, I just want to be listened to.”
“I was able to organise a priest to come to pray for a patient at high risk of suicide. Before he was discharged, he told me, ‘I used to read the Bible to prepare for my death, now I read it for my life.”
“On one occasion, we gave a birthday card to a 20-year-old patient. He started to cry. He said that he had been homeless and no one had ever given him a birthday card.”
The Northern Hospital Epping Multi Faith Chapel is available for use 24/7 and is located between the front reception and Henry’s Cafe, opposite the pastoral services office.
Broadmeadows Hospital has a quiet room available for use seven days a week. It is located past Degani Cafe, on the left.
Bundoora Centre has a quiet room available seven days a week. This can be accessed anytime by contacting Reception.
To find out how you could use their service, please click here.
The Pastoral Care team from left to right: John Davies (Broadmeadows Hospital), Kelly Pinto (Bundoora Centre), Natalia Dewiyani (Northern Hospital Epping) and Reverend Melanie Moore, Anglican and Palliative Care Chaplain (Northern Hospital Epping).
The Northern Health Vascular Surgery Unit recently hosted their fifth annual Complex Venous Workshop.
Held in late August, the vascular team were pleased to host another successful workshop – this time as a two-day workshop, with two key focuses.
“This year, we were able to focus primarily on two areas. Firstly, we were proud to host a forum for discussion of existing international venous guidelines by eight complex venous surgeons in Australia, and secondly, undertake procedures on four patients,” explained Dr Iman Bayat, Head of Northern Health Vascular Surgery Unit.
“It was great to host interstate experts from Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, and come together to discuss international venous guidelines, and the relevance to our practise here in Australia – and lay the groundwork for opportunities to develop Australian/NZ guidelines.”
The team were pleased to host Associate Professor Laurencia Villalba, Associate Professor Ramon Varcoe, Dr Shannon Thomas and Dr Phil Puckridge, and are looking forward to hosting other vascular surgeons in the future.
The vascular team also had the pleasure of receiving input from UK vascular surgeon, Professor Stephen Black, who joined virtually to provide input during a complex venous case.
On her collaboration with Northern Health, Associate Professor Laurencia Villalba, said, “I think workshops like this are phenomenal for growth. Interaction with colleagues during live cases and live discussions and the amount we can learn from each other’s experiences is invaluable.”
“Thanks to Dr Bayat and his team who hosted this event. We are not only learning from watching him and his team perform amazing cases and holding discussions, but we are making history. This is a day we are going to remember forever, as it’s the first time a group of individuals are coming together to discuss opportunities for writing guidelines that are going to determine the future in our specialty.”
Iman explained the four patient cases brought focus to chronic venous obstruction in the deep veins, below the groin crease.
“Patients suffering from this condition will often have symptoms of leg swelling, discolouration, varicose veins, and, in severe cases, venous ulcers. This condition is common among patients who have had extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and suffer from post thrombotic syndrome,” Iman explained.
“For some of these patients, we are able to push the capabilities of endovascular treatment to improve their symptoms. However, this is an ongoing journey of development and learning, and such workshops help bring the collective experience together to aid patient care.”
“In some patients, we were able to offer intervention which brought them improvement in symptoms, and provide the necessary investigation and case discussion to plan further management in the future.”
Northern Health is at the forefront of this level of complexity.
“From our first workshop and from our commitment to deep venous disease, Northern Health is well on its way to being the centre of excellence for complex venous pathology in Victoria. We are one of the only Victorian public health services to provide intravascular ultrasound to our patients. We believe this is essential to guide deep venous intervention,” Iman said.
Iman and his team are already looking to next year, in preparation for the Australian NZ Venous Forum, which will be held at Northern Health as a two-day workshop on 1 – 2 June 2023.
The vascular team expressed their appreciation to everyone involved in preparing for and running this year’s workshop.
“It’s needless to say that a workshop with such excellent virtual capability would not have been possible without hard work from a number of different areas, including theatre staff, IT, and the surgical and anaesthetic departments. Special thanks to Bonnie Geeves for much of the planning around the workshop, Dr Shrikkanth Rangarajan for moderating the session, Dr David Goh for being the lead surgeon for a portion of the workshop, and participant surgeons, Dr Damien Holdaway, Dr Kalpa Perera, and Dr Hansoo Lee,” Iman said.
“We would also like to acknowledge and thank our industry sponsors, Medtronic, BD and Boston Scientific, who are leaders in the development of technologies necessary for deep venous work, but also support educational endeavours such as this recent workshop.”
