This morning, Northern Health hosted the Bi-Annual Awards, virtually coming together to honour the exceptional contributions of our staff.

The ceremony was hosted by Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, Northern Health, and Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, who presented our award winners.

“Northern Health has thousands of staff who work across a range of areas, departments and sites, dedicated to providing outstanding care to our community each and every day,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive.

“Among our award winners today are staff who demonstrate a strong and positive workplace culture, live Northern Health’s values of safe, kind and together, and show a genuine commitment to their patients.”

The ceremony celebrated winners from July 2024 – December 2024 in seven categories, with each award matched against Northern Health’s values and strategic priorities.

“I am delighted to be here today to celebrate and award the staff who demonstrate excellence in their care and work at Northern Health,” said Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture.

“I feel proud to work in an organisation where staff are collaborative and kind and turn up to work every day to provide such incredible care to our patients and community – we thank you all for your hard work.”

The Innovation Award was presented to the Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP). The team was nominated by Anne-Marie Fabri.

“The HARP team has implemented a rapid response to referrals and assessment process which means that patients were assessed and seen at home sooner. This has resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in patients being readmitted to hospital in the HARP episode of care,” said Anne-Marie in her nomination.

Northern Health’s Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) Department won the Patient Experience Award. The team was nominated by Associate Professor Jaclyn Yoong.

“As an oncologist and a palliative care physician, I am grateful for this wonderful resource. People who not only objectively translate a language but also provide an intangible connection to our culturally diverse community of patient and families,” A/Prof Yoong said.

“In this increasingly digitalised world, these interpreters bring a human touch to the interaction which is irreplaceable. I’d like to thank them for their work and immeasurable contribution to what is truly aligned with patient-centred care.”

The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Nicholas Romeo, Head Scientist, Respiratory Function Laboratory. Nicholas was nominated by Liam Hannan.

“Those that have worked with Nic know he is a great contributor, is incredibly driven to improve care for Northern Health consumers, has incredible attention to detail and is a great role model. His contribution to developing the Respiratory Function Laboratory from scratch has been huge,” Liam said.

“He has demonstrated his unwavering dedication to staff development with many current scientific staff beginning their careers as Northern Health students. He has developed these junior scientists to the point where many have been able to successfully work in more senior roles, and he is constantly innovating and developing laboratory process to improve outcomes for patient.”

Dr Subhash Das, Consultant Psychiatrist took home the Education Award. Dr Das was nominated by Yang Yun.

“Dr Das has made remarkable contributions that truly elevate the educational landscape within our division and within our hospital. His active role in the Northern Hospital Grand Rounds, collaborating with his team to share clinical insights, creates an engaging atmosphere that sparks curiosity and learning,” said Yang.

“Beyond formal settings, Dr Das is a daily beacon of support and guidance for junior doctors and staff and his team. His hands-on education and supervision create an environment where learning thrives, instilling confidence and competence in future medical professionals.”

The Rising Star Award was presented to Taylor Tigani, Mental Health Physiologist. Taylor was nominated by Kale Frost.

“Since beginning in the role just over a year ago, Taylor has demonstrated remarkable expertise in integrating exercise physiology with mental health care, providing a unique and impactful approach to patient care. Taylor’s ability to build rapport and establish a strong therapeutic alliance with consumers is one of her greatest strengths,” Kale said in the nomination.

BankVic representatives presented the last two categories – Clinical Excellence and Excellence in Safety.

Sonia Gagovski, Registered Nurse, won the Clinical Excellence Award. Sonia was nominated by Jean Cameron.

“Sonia consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every patient receives optimal care every time they attend for treatment. She makes time to ensure all needs are being met to maximise patient comfort and treatment outcomes,” Jean said.

“Her personal knowledge, from caring for elderly parents with complex needs, gives her insights into the supports available and ways to access additional help in the community. She is cool and calm in emergency situations, quick to recognise deteriorating patients proficiently and is an excellent mentor to the junior nursing staff and nursing students on rotation.”

The Excellence in Safety Award went to Joanne Quinn, Aboriginal Health Worker. Joanne was nominated by Karen Bryant.

“Jo has been working in the Koori Maternity Service for approximately nine years and in this time, she has paved the wat for pregnant Aboriginal women and spouses of Aboriginal men to feel safe by providing culturally safe care,” Karen said.

Jo provides aspects of cultural safety including good communication, respectful treatment, empowerment in decision making and the inclusion of family members. Jo values first nations family and child rearing practices and bridges the gap from western views to cultural acceptable practices, along with always upholding human rights, including Aboriginal rights.”

Congratulations to all the award winners!

Click here to watch the ceremony.

Featured image: Top row L-R: Andrew Grey, Navneet Gill and David Le from TALS, Sonia Gagovski, and Uri Brisker and Kale Frost on behalf of Taylor Tigani. Bottom row: Nicholas Romeo, Julinah Mohd Shariff and Lisa from HARP team, and Joanne Quinn. 

As part of National Advance Care Planning Week, 17-23 March 2025, Ella Critchley, Northern Health Advance Care Planning Program Manager, spoke with Ann, a member of the local community, who recently completed her Advance Care Directive (ACD). Ann shares her personal experience, why she decided to take this step, and the peace of mind it has brought her and her family.

What motivated you to complete an Advance Care Directive?

Ann’s journey began at a meeting at the HUB in Hurstbridge, hosted by Nillimbik Open Minds. There, she heard about the value of advance care planning.

“I thought it was a good idea, but I didn’t do it straight away. It was about six months later when I finally decided to go ahead.”

How did you go about the process?

Ann’s next step was to gather together her adult children; this took some coordination. After a family lunch, they went through the ACD questions one-by-one, and Ann shared her preferences, values and medical instructions.

“It was a bit of a task getting everyone together—one child works permanent part-time, another works on rosters, and my son works fulltime. But once we were all together, we went through it, and I made sure my wishes were clear.”

What specific preferences or instructions did you include in your directive?

Ann’s Advance Care Directive includes several key values and preferences:

• Her Christian faith.
• Her concern about ageing and becoming dependent on others.
• That outcomes like loss of independence, high-level care, and dementia are unacceptable, if they can be avoided.
• If she is nearing death, she doesn’t want to experience pain.
• If she is mentally sound, Ann wants to stay at home, but if not, she is open to moving into care.
• She included an Instructional Directive refusing specific treatments in some situations

Why do you think advance care planning is important?

Ann believes advance care planning is vital for both the individual and their family.

“It provides peace of mind. If you have an ACD, your family knows exactly what you want. It’s important, especially if you have a dysfunctional family—it ensures there’s no room for confusion when it comes to making tough decisions.”

How has completing an ACD given you peace of mind?

For Ann, the process of documenting her preferences has been reassuring.

“Yes, it’s given me peace of mind. I don’t want my family stressing over what to do if something were to happen to me. Now they’ll know what I want.”

How do you think having an ACD benefits your family and healthcare providers?

Ann pointed out that having an ACD can help ensure her family and healthcare providers will be aware of her preferences. If she were to experience a health event that left her unable to communicate, her directive would guide medical decisions, like whether or not to resuscitate her.

“If something happens and I can’t come back from it, I don’t want them to resuscitate me. It’s important for both the family and healthcare providers to know what I want.”

Do you believe more people should consider advance care planning?

Ann is a strong advocate for advance care planning, regardless of age.

“You don’t have to be old to do it. Life can change in an instant—an accident, a stroke, or delirium can happen to anyone. It makes things so much easier for your family if they already know what you want.”

What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant about completing an ACD?

Ann’s advice is simple but powerful:

“Just do it! It can always be updated or changed later, but having something in writing is crucial. It can be as simple as stating your preferred place of care or your views on treatment.”

Ann shared her ACD form with her General Practitioner, who witnessed her signature to the document. Her GP, the hospital and family have copies, so they are available if needed.

Ann’s story is a reminder of the importance of advance care planning for everyone, regardless of age. By making her preferences clear in the ACD, Ann not only has a voice in her healthcare decisions but has also provided her family and healthcare providers with clarity.

The Northern Health Advance Care Planning team are here to provide support and advice. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact via email acp@nh.org.au or phone 9495 3235.

Click here for further information.

Professor Sandeep Grover is the author of 975 research articles and is listed in the world’s top two per cent in the Stanford list of researchers – for the last three years. He has delivered close to 300 lectures and been involved in training postgraduate students of psychiatry for the last 20 years.

Yet, he is happy to admit that he came to Australia, and Northern Health, “with a little bit of nervous anticipation and excitement. It was like stepping into a new chapter of life.”

Professor Grover came to us from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, where he has been serving as Professor of Psychiatry for the last seven years.

“While he is working clinically, he will also support us in the areas of research and education,” says Associate Professor Vinay Lakra, Divisional Director, Mental Health.

“We are obviously very excited about Sandeep joining us. It provides us an excellent opportunity to enhance our research credentials and also to translate research to clinical practice for the benefit of our patients and their families,” he adds.

“My interest in research has been fuelled by the clinical issues faced by clinicians and the needs of clients and significant others involved in their care,” says Prof. Grover.

His primary areas of research have been severe mental disorders, especially treatment-resistant schizophrenia, the role of the family in the management of mental disorders, consultation-liaison psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and geriatric psychiatry.

The role of the family is one that Prof. Grover has been studying closely. “Our research suggest that the family caregivers, experience significant caregiver burden, at the same time also have positive caregiving experience. In the whole process of caregiving, the caregivers themselves also experience psychological morbidity.”

He comes from a work culture, “that is overwhelmed by the patient load and where we are trained to find solutions within the resource constraints. This often allows us to think outside of the box and find solutions that are practical and cost-effective.”

Bellinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health is delighted to welcome Professor Grover to our service at Northern Health. She says, “We look forward to the mutual benefits of sharing research, education and clinical practice knowledge.”

Wellbeing activities offer cancer patients moments of relief, connection and empowerment during challenging times.

The inaugural WellAhead Open Day, held on 26 February at Kilmore District Hospital, welcomed cancer patients and their carers to a rejuvenating half-day of activities. The event embraced the ‘Year of the Snake’ theme, inspiring participants to let go of the past, explore their hidden creativity, and look toward brighter days. Attendees were gifted thoughtful bags containing motivational notes, sage bundles, and eye masks—a small token of care to take home.

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with one participant reflecting, “What I enjoyed most was the friendly environment where you can leave life’s stresses at the door, relax, and talk openly about health challenges or anything else.”

The day kicked off with an invigorating Qigong session, followed by creative activities like card making and Japanese braiding—offering participants a chance to unwind and reflect. Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice, promotes energy flow and relaxation, while crafting activities provide a soothing, stress-relieving outlet.

Later, a Book Chat led by Eunice Ang, Medical Librarian at Northern Health Library, highlighted the therapeutic power of reading.

The event wrapped up with a calming Sound Bath guided by Romy Paltoglou, an accredited Peter Hess Sound Massage and Sound Bath Facilitator. The harmonious vibrations of healing instruments created a tranquil space for deep relaxation and emotional release.

The WellAhead Open Day brought moments of creativity and connection to those facing life’s toughest battles:

“A nice start was the Qigong class and the day finished with the relaxing ‘sounds therapy’.  I was able to meet some very nice people, where we chatted and shared common ground. Especially with people who also have cancer.”

“l am in remission from lung cancer. I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). l am very interested in breathing techniques, so yoga and Qigong appealed to me.”

“My favourite was the craft classes, where people shared ideas and we relaxed. The book chat was informative and helped me and others learn where and how to get involved in community libraries.”

“It was an enjoyable and social day that we thoroughly enjoyed and thought beneficial to participants. We really enjoyed the Japanese braiding and storytelling supporting wellbeing.”

“I enjoyed the yoga but was surprised by how much I enjoyed the sound bath. Total relaxation.”

Bev Carmen and Northern Health Foundation were proud sponsors of the inaugural WellAhead Open Day, presented in partnership with VITA Martial arts, health and wellbeing and Beveridge U3A.

WellAhead is a holistic wellness program, co–designed with consumers, to support and empower those living with and beyond cancer. Activities include yoga, qigong, volunteer programs, Northern Health Community Choir and classes for seniors from Whittlesea U3A.

Northern Health’s Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults (VVSC) has launched its new website today.

The VVSC service partners with General Practitioners across the state to provide all Victorians timely access to expert advice. This collaborative model transforms the healthcare landscape allowing care to be provided when and where it is needed rather than when it is available.

Set up in January 2023 as a pilot for General Medicine, the service now offers over 28 different specialities for co-consultation:

• Cardiology
• Renal
• Rheumatology
• Geriatrics
• Palliative Care
• Neurology
• Gastroenterology
• Haematology
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Psychiatry
• Paediatrics
• Paediatric Allergy
• Asthma
• Wound care
• Incontinence
• Thrombosis
• Paediatric Respiratory
• Speech Pathology
• Adolescence
• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases

Further pathways to access the service to patients facing extreme barriers to healthcare have been created, with direct bookings from the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) and rural/regional emergency departments.

In these regional centres, the wait for a GP can be up to 10 weeks and the ability to see a specialist locally extremely challenging. VVSC responds to these geographical barriers by providing direct consultation to patients as a one-off appointment to provide early interventions and ensure appropriate ongoing care is organised, as well as dedicated clinics.

With the growth of the service, the navigation of the website was becoming increasingly unwieldy, leading to poor user experience and frequent errors. The administration team rose to the challenge and have redesigned the entry point into the service.

“Our website has evolved through various iterations, but this complete overhaul represents our commitment to excellence,” said Jake Marra, VVSC Administration Coordinator.

“We’re excited to streamline the booking process to enhance the experience for all VVSC users.”

Jessica Azaris, VVSC Administration Coordinator added, “The entire VVSC concept was co-designed with input from general practitioners. We’ve actively listened to the feedback and incorporated as many suggestions as possible to create a platform that truly meets their needs.”

The VVSC was a finalist in last year’s Victorian Public Healthcare Awards under the category ‘Care Closer to Home’.

To access the new website, go to vvsc.org.au. To contact the team, email vvsc@nh.org.au.

Since its establishment in October 2023, Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV) has rapidly evolved, making significant strides in medical imaging services. Now, 16 months into its journey, NIV has not only expanded its scope but has also enhanced the quality of imaging services with subspecialty expertise across all major areas.

This progress is reflected in the numerous milestones NIV has achieved over the past year, each bringing tangible benefits to patients and the northern community. These include:

• Expansion of medical imaging services: NIV has broadened its range of imaging services, ensuring comprehensive care with subspecialty expertise across all key areas.
• Refurbished and expanded imaging department at Broadmeadows Hospital: The introduction of a state-of-the-art 3T MRI scanner has significantly improved imaging capabilities.
• Victoria’s first large-bore mechanical thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism: Performed in May 2024, this ground-breaking procedure marked a major achievement in interventional radiology.
• Enhanced Interventional Radiology (IR) service: NIV now offers an admission bed card, outpatient clinics, and consult services, further enhancing patient care (May 2024).
• Comprehensive breast imaging services: The addition of contrast-enhanced mammography, stereotactic, and MRI breast biopsies has strengthened NIV’s breast imaging capabilities (June 2024).
• Go-Live of a new PET-CT scanner: This advanced imaging technology became operational in August 2024, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
• Kilmore Imaging at Kilmore District Hospital: The launch of a new Siemens CT scanner in September 2024 has improved imaging access for regional patients.
• New stress cardiac MRI Service: NIV became the second facility in Victoria, after VHH, to offer this advanced diagnostic service (November 2024).
• Accredited Clinical Radiology Training program: In February 2025, NIV commenced a RANZCR-accredited Clinical Radiology training program, ensuring the next generation of radiologists receive top-tier education and experience.

Since its opening, NIV has imaged and treated an impressive 215,000 patients – nearly a quarter of a million – benefiting from its advanced imaging services. This significant patient volume reflects the high demand for and trust in NIV’s expertise.

Looking ahead, NIV is committed to further expanding and enhancing its imaging capabilities. Its upcoming projects include:

• New CT scanner in the Emergency Department (ED): This will further enhance emergency imaging efficiency and patient care.
• New imaging sites at Craigieburn and Mernda Community Hospitals: These facilities will improve accessibility to high-quality imaging services in the growing northern suburbs.
• Satellite imaging department in the new ED build: This expansion will ensure timely and efficient imaging for emergency patients.

“With a strong foundation and a vision for continued growth, we remain committed to delivering high-quality medical imaging services. Our goal is to further enhance patient care and advance medical imaging excellence across Victoria,” said A/Prof Terry Kok, Director of Imaging Services, Northern Health.

Sophie Dodson, Operations Manager, Northern Imaging Victoria says she’s incredibly proud of what they’ve built and continue to build at NIV.

“For me, working here has always been about teamwork and family, united by a shared goal, creating a workplace people are proud of while delivering exceptional patient care and top-quality imaging services. I’m excited about the future of Northern Imaging Victoria and our continued commitment to serving our community,” she said.

“Northern Imaging Victoria has transformed the diagnostic capabilities at Northern Health, providing patients with cutting-edge imaging closer to home. With comprehensive services in Epping and Broadmeadows, and an expanding regional presence in Craigieburn, Mernda, and Kilmore, we are enhancing access to high-quality diagnostic care,” said Professor Prahlad Ho, CMO, Northern Health.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Dr Ming Joe Lim, Deputy Director of Imaging Services, Prof Prahlad Ho, Chief Medical Officer, Sophie Dodson, Operations Manager, Minister for Health of Victoria Mary-Anne Thomas, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, A/Prof Stephen Schlicht, Head of Nuclear Medicine and A/Prof Terry Kok, Director of Imaging Services, during a recent visit to NIV.

Northern Health proudly celebrated International Women’s Day on Friday, 7 March, bringing together staff, board members, distinguished guests, and community members for an inspiring morning at Mantra Epping.

In a room filled with warmth, inspiration, and a shared vision for the future, the event embodied this year’s theme, March Forward – for all women and girls.

It was a morning of reflection, celebration, and a reminder that progress is not just about where we are but where we are going together.

A powerful message was in motion as attendees watched the compelling March Forward #LetsFloorIt video, setting the tone for the morning.

 

The video captured the unstoppable force of women pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and forging paths for those who follow.

As guests indulged in a scrumptious breakfast, conversations around the room reflected the energy of the day. Stories were shared, experiences exchanged, and a collective sense of determination filled the space.

Professor Sue Walker AO, Director of Perinatal Medicine, Mercy Hospital for Women, Sheila Handbury Chair of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Melbourne, captivated the audience with an engaging, and thought-provoking speech. From start to finish, she resonated on every level – educational, insightful, and sprinkled with just the right amount of humour. Laughter filled the room as she shared her wisdom, making complex topics relatable and leaving the audience both inspired and empowered.

“If you want to go fast, you go alone. If you want to go far, you go together. This is the core of effective leadership. True progress comes not from rushing alone, but from fostering collaboration. In both healthcare and leadership, unity is our greatest strength. Together, we can overcome challenges and drive lasting change,” says Professor Walker.

Her words wove together science, compassion, and advocacy, reminding everyone that every woman, no matter her background or circumstances, has the power to go forward, not just for herself, but for the next generation.

“Leadership is full of challenges that many women, and those who support them, will recognise. However, in environments like today, where we feel safe, kind, and united – we have the opportunity to accelerate change. By coming together with safety, kindness, and unity, we not only advance women’s health but also strengthen leadership, ensuring every voice is heard and empowered to make a difference,” she said.

Following her speech, the excitement continued with the much-anticipated Spin the Wheel of Names for the door prizes. Three lucky winners walked away with fantastic prizes.

Adding another delightful surprise, each table had favour bags for attendees, with one lucky favour bag at each table hiding a butterfly sticker. The recipients of these special bags won the beautiful floral centrepiece to take home.

International Women’s Day at Northern Health was more than just an event, it was a reminder of the power of women, the strength of their voices, and the impact of their march forward.

Featured Image (left to right): Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, Professor Sue Walker AO, Jennifer Williams AM, Board Chair, Northern Health. 

Yesterday marked the inaugural National Orthotist/Prosthetist Day across Australia held by The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association.

Our very own Orthotics department plays a key role in helping patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, or injuries by designing, making fitting and managing orthotic devices.

Orthotic devices are medical supports, braces or splints that help to improve the function on the body, reduce, pain, or prevent further injury. Using advanced knowledge and evidence-based practice, orthotists and prosthetists assess and treat a person’s physical and functional limitations resulting from a range of health conditions and movement disorders.

As a field in allied health, orthotists and prosthetists are university qualified health professionals with expertise in the assessment and provision of orthotic and prosthetic treatment. The Northern Health Orthotics department has 5.0 EFT across all of Northern Health campuses, currently with six orthotists in the team.

A typical day for an inpatient acute orthotist can vary and include:

• Triaging referrals on EMR
• Attend diabetic foot ward round
• Fitting spinal braces to a trauma patient with spinal fractures
• Fitting removable rigid dressings for people who have undergone a below knee amputation
• Supporting fracture clinic with orthotic devices such as hinged braces, humeral fracture braces and wrist hand orthosis
• Modifying a cam boot with offloading to enable a patient with plantar foot wound to mobilise without putting excess pressure over the wound site
• Teaching the family members on how to care for a patient with a neck collar to immobilise the neck following fracture
• Fitting an ankle-foot orthosis for someone with a neurological condition to enable a safer walking pattern

“One of the most rewarding aspects of working in orthotics is the ability to significantly improve a patient’s quality of life,” said Jack Yeung, Clinical Lead – Orthotics.

“Whether it’s helping someone with mobility issues walk more easily, or enabling a person to regain independence after an injury, the positive changes we can bring are life changing for patients.”

“We have some very complex clinical presentation within our NDIS Orthotics clinic and designing and creating custom orthotic devices tailored to their specific needs is both a challenge and a reward.”

“The satisfaction of designing a device that works perfectly for an individual—whether it’s a custom-made foot orthosis or a complex high-end ankle-foot orthosis that exceeds client goals is very gratifying. Our team prioritise keeping up to speed with current and new advancements to ensure patients at Northern Health are receiving the best standard of care.”

Jack says the future of prosthetics and orthotics is incredibly exciting, especially with the rapid advancements in technology, including 3D scanning and printing to replace traditional plaster manufacturing methods, as well as exoskeletons and robotic limbs for neurological rehabilitation which are advancements he would like to see adopted within the next one to two years.

The team have already implemented new technologies, including:

• Advancement in materials: carbon fibre pre-preg manufacturing technique (the main benefit here is a finished orthotic device that is much more lightweight and durable than traditional carbon fibre resin lamination).
• Plantar pressure mapping technology which allows orthotists to measure and analyse the distribute of pressure on the sole of the feet. Plantar pressure mapping provides valuable data to design custom foot orthoses that target specific pressure points, offering better support, offloading and alignment. This allows clinicians to provide more effective offloading for patients with plantar foot wounds. Patients with diabetes present with reduced sensitivity in their feet, which makes them more vulnerable to pressure ulcers and wounds. Plantar pressure mapping helps detect high-pressure areas that might lead to ulcers, allowing for early intervention to prevent serious complications.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation: FES involves applying small electrical currents to nerves through surface electrodes placed on the skin. The electrical pulses stimulate the muscles, causing them to contract and produce movement. The goal of FES is to improve functional motor tasks, facilitate rehabilitation, and prevent complications associated with immobility.

The Orthotics department celebrated the inaugural day with a team catch up to reflect on the importance of their role within Northern Health and the success of their work and all the patients that they have helped along the way.