Northern Health proudly congratulates Dr Krinal Mori, FRACS, General Surgeon and Consultant at Northern Health, on being named a recipient of the 2025 Educator of Merit Award – SET Supervisor/SIMG Supervisor of the Year (Victoria) by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

The Educator of Merit Awards, an initiative of the Academy of Surgical Educators, recognise outstanding contributions to surgical education across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2025, the Academy conferred five SET Supervisor/SIMG Supervisor of the Year awards and two Facilitator/Instructor of the Year awards, highlighting excellence in mentorship, training, and educational leadership.

Dr Mori’s award acknowledges his exceptional support of Surgical Education and Training (SET) Trainees, unaccredited trainees, Specialist International Medical Graduates, and medical students. A Melbourne-trained general surgeon, Dr Mori holds public appointments at Northern Health and Austin Health, is a SET Supervisor in Victoria, and lectures at the University of Melbourne.

Northern Health is one of Victoria’s major training hubs, with up to 100 junior surgical trainees at any given time. Dr Mori plays a central role in supporting this cohort through bedside and theatre teaching, structured tutorials, laparoscopic workshops, HMO education sessions, and skills-based training, including suture and laparoscopic skills labs.

He also regularly volunteers his time to supervise laparoscopic skills training, supporting not only surgical trainees and medical students but also colleagues from other specialties. His approach to education is widely recognised for its clarity, inclusiveness, and focus on creating psychologically safe learning environments.

Dr Mori believes effective surgical education extends beyond technical competence.

“When I was a trainee, I was privileged to work with some amazing mentors,” he said. “Their ability to teach complex concepts clearly and guide me through difficult situations inspired me to do the same for future trainees.”

Colleagues and trainees alike describe Dr Mori as approachable, supportive, and deeply committed to trainee development. His teaching encompasses clinical excellence, professional development, wellbeing, and encouraging trainees to take ownership of education within their training hubs.

Reflecting on his role as a surgical educator, Dr Mori said his proudest moments come from seeing trainees complete training successfully and contribute to a positive learning culture. “Watching trainees grow into confident surgeons and leaders, and seeing them champion education themselves, is incredibly rewarding.”

“It is a great personal and professional privilege to work alongside Dr Krinal Mori. His recognition with the 2025 Educator of Merit Award reflects the incredible influence he has had on his trainees, colleagues, and the wider surgical community. His ability to inspire, support, and elevate others makes him a true asset to both Northern Health and the broader surgical field,” said A/Prof Dennis Gyomber, Divisional Director, Surgery, Northern Health.

Northern Health congratulates Dr Krinal Mori on this well-deserved national recognition. His achievement reflects both his personal dedication to surgical education and Northern Health’s ongoing commitment to excellence in training, mentorship, and patient care.

Northern Health has proudly been named Employer of Choice – a recognition that reflects more than policies or programs. It speaks to our people, our culture, and the everyday moments that make Northern Health a place where staff feel valued, supported and connected to purpose.

Behind every award are real stories: people who chose Northern Health, stayed at Northern Health, grew at Northern Health, and continue to shape it.

That’s why we’re launching “Why Northern?”, a series of interview-based articles celebrating the voices of our people and what makes working here truly special.

From career journeys and personal connections to the small things that make a big difference, Why Northern? is about pride, belonging and the culture we’re building together.

Q&A with Pina Di Donato, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Foundation, five years at Northern Health 

Q: Why did you choose to work at Northern Health?

A: I choose to work at Northern Health because it is my way of giving back to the community where I was born and raised. While I no longer live locally and now commute, anyone who undertakes a long daily journey knows you need to genuinely love what you do to sustain it. And I truly do. Working at Northern Health gives my work purpose and meaning every single day.

Q: What is your connection to Northern Health?

A: My connection to Northern Health and the local community is long‑standing and multi‑dimensional. I was raised in Lalor, educated locally at St Peter’s Primary School and St Monica’s College, and my family ran a business in the area, so I’ve worked in this community throughout my entire career. My children also spent their early years in Mill Park before we moved closer to the city.

Before joining Northern Health, I served on the Northern Health Foundation Board for ten years, most of that time as Deputy Chair. In 2021, following an unsuccessful search for a Foundation Director, the Board asked whether I would step into the role for six months. What happened next was serendipitous—and here I am, almost five years later.

Q: What does being named an Employer of Choice mean to you personally?

A: Being named an Employer of Choice is more than an award—it’s a responsibility. It’s about delivering on our promises, embracing opportunities to grow and evolve, and doing so collaboratively. Our values say it best: creating a workplace where people feel safe to be their authentic selves, where kindness guides our interactions, and where we work together, regardless of our role, to serve our community.

Q: How would you describe the culture at Northern Health in three words?

A: Welcoming. Down-to-Earth. Family.

Q: What’s one thing Northern Health does really well for its people?

A: Northern Health does an exceptional job of embracing diversity and striving to be inclusive and welcoming. This is reflected not only in our patient cohort but also in our workforce. While there is always more we can do, what matters most is that inclusion is a genuine priority here.

Q: Can you share a moment that made you feel proud to work at Northern Health?

A: There are so many moments that make me proud, particularly those tied to the achievements of my teams. My greatest reward is seeing them step up and grow. Two members of my team came to us through the ‘Explorers Program’, while they were working in other departments. I am grateful that I got an opportunity to meet them and learn more about them. Now they are both working in the Public Affairs team, doing what they love and doing an amazing job!

Some of my proudest moments are when we have the opportunity to showcase Northern Health to the broader community, through events, official visits, overseas delegations, and media engagement, highlighting the incredible work happening across the organisation.

Q: How has Northern Health supported your growth — professionally or personally?

A: My own journey at Northern Health is a strong example of the opportunities available here to learn, grow, and step into new challenges. I’ve been supported to evolve professionally while remaining connected to the purpose that brought me here in the first place.

Q: What keeps you coming back each day? (coffee order counts too 😊)

A: It really is simple—the people. I am privileged to work with a very supportive executive team. More widely, I’m incredibly proud of how everyone works together toward a common goal, regardless of title or role. There’s a strong “can‑do” attitude, and Northern Health truly punches above its weight. We may not always receive the recognition, but we embrace the challenge and celebrate our wins together.

And yes—the coffee helps too. A skinny latte is my go‑to for anyone offering.

Q: What would you say to someone thinking about working at Northern Health?
A: I would say this: Northern Health is a place where you can make a real impact—and where the Chief Executive will say hello to you in the corridor, and get to know your name.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Tanya Dimovski, Foundation, Christina Xavier, Public Affairs, Danche Trajkovski, Public Affairs, Kim Berger, Foundation, Pina Di Donato, Jessica Reynolds, Public Affairs, Mike Masilamani, Public Affairs and Steve Carnell, Public Affairs.

Northern Health is thrilled to announce that Bessie Taitoko, Psychiatric Services Officer/Health and Safety Representative – BIPU, and Owen Glassenbury, MHICAR Senior Clinician/Clinical Nurse Consultant/Health and Safety Representative – BIPU, are finalists for the 2025 WorkSafe Health and Safety Representative (HSR) of the Year Award.

Bessie and Owen have gone above and beyond to make Northern Health safer and kinder for staff and patients. Their leadership perfectly embodies our values of Safe, Kind, Together, showing how HSRs can make a real difference every day.

Some of the amazing work they’ve done include:

• Safer patient admissions – Ensuring patients are placed in the right ward, reducing distress and keeping everyone safer.
• Better support for staff – Advocating for extra security when needed, helping staff feel confident, protected, and cared for in high-risk situations.
• Faster, smarter responses to violence – Improving Code Black procedures and strengthening collaboration with local police, so staff can act quickly and safely, with kindness and professionalism.
• Strong collaboration with program managers, management, and staff – Working closely with program managers, leaders, staff and other stakeholders to identify risks early and implement practical, frontline solutions, ensuring safety and kindness are shared priorities across the department.

Thanks to their dedication, Bessie and Owen have made our workplace safer, calmer, and more supportive. Their work reminds us that living our values of Safe, Kind, Together can spark big changes every day.

Let’s celebrate their achievement and be inspired to make safety and kindness a priority in our own teams!

We wish them all the best for the Awards night on 26 February 2026.

Featured image L-R: Rianna Cordina, ANUM/Clinical Nurse Consultant – BIPU, Owen Glassenbury, MHICAR Senior Clinician/Clinical Nurse Consultant/Health and Safety Representative – BIPU, Bessie Taitoko, Psychiatric Services Officer/Health and Safety Representative – BIPU, and Leon Tan, OHS Manager.

Northern Health was proud to once again stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTIQA+ community at this year’s vibrant Pride March in St Kilda on Sunday, 1 February.

The Pride March is a much-loved highlight of the annual Midsumma Festival, which runs from 18 January to 8 February 2026. After recent years of intense summer heat, participants were welcomed by cooler conditions, perfect weather for the thousands who filled the streets of St Kilda in a powerful show of visibility, celebration, and solidarity.

Marching alongside community organisations, allies, and advocates, Northern Health was represented by a diverse group of staff including Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitians, Allied Health professionals, Transcultural and Language Services (TALS), Administration and Executive. Together, they proudly wore Northern Health’s Pride T-shirts and demonstrated a shared commitment to inclusion, respect, and equality.

This year marked Northern Health’s sixth consecutive year participating in the Pride March, an ongoing reflection of the organisation’s commitment to supporting LGBTIQA+ patients, consumers, families, and staff.

“This weekend’s Pride March was a powerful reminder of why it matters to create an environment where people feel safe to be their authentic selves. I was there along with many of our staff,consumers and community members, marching, supporting loved ones, and celebrating the diversity which is very much at the heart of who we are at Northern Health,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, Northern Health.

“It was a pleasure to march together with not only our Northern Health staff, but with the wider health sector and the many other businesses and organisations in our community. Together we demonstrate the importance of supporting our LGBTQIA+ community. It feels like each year we take a step closer to being a stronger and more inclusive health service,” added A/Prof Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Office, Northern Health.

Andrew Grey, Chair of the Rainbow Sub-Committee and Booking Team Leader within Transcultural and Language Services, said, “It was inspiring to see both familiar and new faces marching together under the Northern Health banner and as healthcare professionals, our presence matters. By showing visibly and proudly, we reaffirm our commitment to providing care that is safe, kind and together for the LGBTIQA+ Community.”

Northern Health remains committed to walking alongside the LGBTIQA+ community, not only during Pride celebrations, but throughout the year.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Kim Gray, Senior Physiotherapist, Craigieburn Community Hospital.

Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order?
A: I keep a single-cup plunger in my drawer — strong blend, milk, no sugar.

Q: Tell us about your journey at Northern Health.
A: I joined Northern Health a little over 18 months ago after spending two decades at another organisation. I initially started as a Grade 2 Physiotherapist in Cardiorespiratory Outpatients, and in June this year transitioned into the Senior Physiotherapist role in Cardiorespiratory at Craigieburn.

As a chronic disease physiotherapist, I assess clients with heart and lung conditions, identify their needs and goals, and guide them through weekly group exercise classes to help them achieve, and often exceed, those goals.

Q: What is the best part of working at Northern Health?
A: There are a few things I genuinely enjoy. Firstly, the staff culture — especially at Craigieburn Community Hospital, where we’re a small, supportive team. Secondly, the diversity of clients I work with, which is both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Q: If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be instead?
A: My team would probably agree with this — I’d run my own cake-making business. I love to bake!

Q: Tell us one thing not many people know about you.
A: I’m currently reading Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh. I also have a daily meditation practice that helps reset and centre me for the day ahead.

Q: Favourite travel destination and why?
A: Anywhere I can walk. I trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2008, and I’m hoping to take on Kilimanjaro next year.

Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
A: To that nerdy country kid: “Be yourself — and take it one day at a time.”

Q: If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?
A: I already am a mind reader… but I wouldn’t mind upgrading to full telepathy!

The Northern Health Library recently conducted a staff and student survey to better understand how library services are used, what is working well, and where improvements can be made.

Open to all Northern Health staff and students, the survey received an overwhelming response, demonstrating strong interest in and engagement with library services across the organisation.

Importantly, the feedback will be used to directly guide future planning and decision-making. Survey insights will inform how library services are prioritised, designed and delivered, helping shape services, spaces and resources that better support clinical care, education, research and staff wellbeing across Northern Health.

Director, Library and Information Literacy Services, Tania Barry, said the survey provides a clear and valuable foundation for improvement. “Listening to the feedback from our staff and students gives us a strong foundation to shape library services that genuinely support their work and, in turn, patient care across Northern Health,” she said.

To acknowledge the high level of participation, the Library expanded its prize draw and awarded eight prizes. A summary report card outlining key themes from the survey feedback, along with updates on actions and developments arising from the results, will be shared with respondents in the coming weeks.

Survey responses reinforced the value of the Library to staff, with participants highlighting the impact of services on their work. Comments included:

“The literature search reports are a godsend.”

“Excellent provision of journal articles crucial to my work and research.”

“The library is a great asset to Northern Health.”

Northern Health has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in the prestigious Australian Business Awards 2025, affirming its commitment to creating a workplace that maximises the potential of its people through effective policies and practices in recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Guided by the values of Safe, Kind, Together, Northern Health has cultivated a workplace culture that prioritises psychological safety, continuous learning, and genuine respect for diversity. This commitment is embedded in the organisation’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029, which focuses on building leadership capability, promoting equity, and supporting staff wellbeing and resilience.

Northern Health invests heavily in education and development, offering tailored programs for graduates, emerging leaders, and experienced professionals. Partnerships with universities and research institutions foster innovation and evidence-based practice, while digital platforms ensure learning remains accessible and future-ready.

Results from the 2024 People Matter Survey highlight Northern Health’s success in creating a high-performing and engaged workforce, with significant improvements across key indicators such as learning and development, career progression, and job satisfaction – exceeding sector benchmarks.

Northern Health also leads in employee wellbeing and safety, delivering sector-leading initiatives in injury prevention, flexible work arrangements, and mental health support. A holistic wellbeing agenda includes mindfulness programs, peer support, physiotherapy clinics, and safe spaces across campuses. Staff actively shape these initiatives, ensuring they remain relevant and responsive.

Recognition is deeply embedded in Northern Health’s culture, with biannual awards, external secondments, and annual service honours celebrating staff contributions and reinforcing pride and purpose. Inclusive recruitment practices and succession planning further support retention and internal mobility.

“This award validates our commitment to creating a workplace where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to deliver exceptional care to our community. Thank you to each and every member of our team – this achievement belongs to all of us,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive.

The Australian Business Awards for Employer of Choice recognises organisations that develop workplaces that maximise the full potential of their workforce through established policies and practices which demonstrate effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Wael Yousif, Medical Scientist in Microbiology – Pathology, Northern Health.

Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order.

A: I usually start my day with a skinny chai latte, extra hot.

Q: Tell us about your journey at Northern Health?

A: I started working at Northern Pathology Victoria (NPV) in 2020 as a Lab Assistant in CSR Pathology. After six months, I moved into my current role as a Medical Scientist in Microbiology/Molecular.
Starting in CSR was a great introduction to understanding hospital workflows, and from there I had the opportunity to explore other areas of pathology, especially Microbiology, where I am now.
I have also supported pathology collection for outpatient blood tests, and I had the opportunity to be part of the HRO program, which gave me insight into pharmacy operations.

Q:What is the best part of working at Northern Health?

A: Working at Northern Health was a bit challenging at first, but the best part has been seeing how well the hospital delivers services across all departments. Everything comes together through strong teamwork and professionalism. That’s something I truly appreciate and have found consistently within my pathology team and across the hospital.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your role?

A: People might be surprised by how we handle patient samples, how challenging it can be to identify what doctors are suspecting, and how critical and sensitive our work is in helping provide the best care for patients. If anyone is interested in seeing what we do, we are always happy to arrange a visit.

Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

A: I’ve learned the importance of patience and strong work ethics. We work with many different people—colleagues, doctors, and patients—and every interaction teaches you something.
Coming from overseas, I had to adapt to a completely different system, but the experience has helped me grow, become more confident, and enhance my skills. I would also like to thank my team; they have been a big part of my learning journey.

Q: How do you like to spend your weekends or time off?

A: I enjoy playing sports. I play badminton three times a week and I also go swimming, which helps me stay healthy and positive. I love spending time with my family and friends, hanging out, keeping active, and surrounding myself with good people.

Q: Who or what inspires you most?

A: My inspiration comes from family, friends, and even people I meet along the way, whether at work or outside of it. If we share similar interests, that inspires me even more. And fun fact, blue is my favourite colour, and it often inspires me when I’m thinking or problem-solving.