February 2025

#WeAreNorthern Meet Terri Fiorenza, Director – Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Digital Health. Q: Terri, could I start with your coffee order please? A: A small skinny latte is my go-to, however I also have an espresso after dinner as well. Q: You are the Director of EMR – what does the job entail? A: I oversee the EMR team who is responsible for maintaining, optimising and enhancing the EMR based on user and organisation requirements, which also includes establishing the future direction for EMR build across the organisation in line with the Northern Health Digital strategy and the organisation’s strategic…

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Northern Health Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website. The updated site is designed to make it easier for staff and the northern community to engage with the work of the Foundation, donate, and read inspiring stories about the people and programs that make a difference across our community. The new site features a user-friendly experience that highlights the purpose of the Foundation, its generous supporters, and upcoming events that will continue supporting the north. It also provides visitors with a seamless way to make online donations, discover impactful stories, and learn about the Foundation’s…

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The Virtual Sexual Health Collaborative Consult service is addressing a gap in sexual healthcare access for LGBTIQA+ individuals. The service, which is part of Northern Health’s Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults (VVSC), provides free, virtual video consultations to LGBTIQA+ individuals living in regional areas. A targeted outreach clinic of the VVSC, the sexual health clinic partnered with the Sunraysia Community Health Service Nurse Practitioner candidate offering specialist expertise and mentorship through video collab-consults. Launching in July 2023 to fill the void left by a departing community GP, the innovative collaboration merges the expert input of a metropolitan-based sexual health physician with…

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February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, serving as a vital reminder of the impact of this disease on women. With ovarian cancer often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its vague symptoms, awareness and early detection are crucial in improving survival rates. Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries and can quickly spread to surrounding organs if not detected early. It is the most lethal gynaecological cancer in Australia, with over 1,800 women diagnosed each year. While the majority of cases – over 80 per cent – occur in women over 50, ovarian cancer can affect individuals of any…

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This Wednesday, 26 February, the first WellAhead Open Day will be held at Kilmore District Hospital. It is a half day of activities, from qigong and yoga to card making, Japanese Braiding, a ‘Book Chat’ and a Sound Bath. The activities have been carefully designed for those living with and beyond cancer. This includes patients, their families, and carers throughout every stage of their cancer journey, from diagnosis to survivorship and beyond. Activities like yoga and qigong promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve flexibility and strength. Card making and other creative pursuits offer emotional expression and a sense of accomplishment.…

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#WeAreNorthern Today we chat to someone keen to make a positive impact on our consumers lives, however small. Meet Joby Philip, Manager of the Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology team (APT), and Project Manager Alcohol and Other Drugs, (AOD) Mental Health Division. Q: Firstly, your coffee order please, Joby? A: I love a medium skinny flat white with no sugar- it’s a must in the morning! Q: What does your role as Manager APT and Project Manager (AOD) entail? A: As programme manager of Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology team (APT), I provide leadership in the operational management of APT to deliver…

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Since 2012, the Early Careers Mentoring Program at Northern Health has been a cornerstone in nurturing the growth and development of young doctors. Designed to guide interns through their first year of practice, this initiative pairs each intern with an experienced consultant who offers invaluable support, guidance, and mentorship. This year, the program was launched again by the Northern Doctors Education team lead by Ms Susie Sangas, Medical Education Manager and Dr Carol Chong, Supervisor of Interning Training, whose combined vision led to the program’s creation and who continue to oversee it today. “The response this year has been really…

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The potential impact that Northern Health’s values of ‘Safe, Kind, Together’ can have on our patients and colleagues, reaches far deeper than you might expect. While delivering outstanding healthcare is at the forefront of what we do, sometimes seemingly insignificant actions are what remain as an indelible impression. A nervous hand held, a calming word of reassurance, or an attentive ear that hears what is actually important to a patient in the moment, are all precious, practical applications of our values. A little over a year ago, Harjaspreet Kaur, one of Northern Health’s new cohort of graduate nurses, had just…

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