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.
The Why Northern? series of interview-based articles celebrates pride, belonging and the culture we’re building together at Northern Health, following our recent recognition as an Employer of Choice.
In our third interview, we speak with Bianca Fazzari, Psychosocial Safety and Wellbeing Consultant, OH&S and Wellbeing, People and Culture.
Q: How many years have you been at Northern Health?
A: I first started at Northern Health in August 2022. I’ve worked here for just over 3 years in total. I had a brief period working elsewhere in 2025, before returning to Northern Health.
Q: Why did you choose to work at Northern Health?
A: Initially, it was the vision, the values, and the important work Northern Health set out to do in people experience, engagement and psychosocial safety to make work a better place for people.
Once I got here, I realised how lucky I was to work for some great leaders and with some wonderful people. We are all here to make a difference, and even when that gets hard because of the challenges we sometimes face in public health, we pull together to do our best, all in pursuit of a healthier future. There is a special kind of spirit in that, and that exists here. It’s hard to clearly measure and describe, but it’s a feeling I get when I come to work here each day.
Q: What is your connection to Northern Health?
A: I started at Northern Health as a People Experience Business Partner and am now working as a Psychosocial Safety & Wellbeing Consultant. I left briefly and returned after a short time, realising how strongly aligned my values were to our vision of a healthier community and to supporting such a critical workforce.
In these roles, I’ve had the opportunity to work in, and with, different teams within People & Culture and under almost all of the P&C Directors! I have learnt valuable lessons about the work we do from all of them.
Northern Health is also my local hospital, so it feels nice to contribute to my community by supporting a workforce that keeps the local community healthy and well.
Q: What does being named an Employer of Choice mean to you personally?
A: I feel so proud of Northern Health’s recognition as an Employer of Choice. To me, it reflects the collective effort of our people to create a workplace where staff feel supported, respected, valued and able to do their best work.
It speaks to the culture we are building together – one where wellbeing, engagement, learning, innovation, collaboration and psychological safety are prioritised, where challenges are met with care and professionalism, and where people look out for one another as much as we do for Northern Health patients. It also recognises the leadership and shared commitment across the organisation to continuously improve the experience of working at Northern Health.
Importantly, I see it not just as recognition of where we are now, but as encouragement to keep going – to keep listening, learning and strengthening the way we support our workforce and each other.
Q: Can you share a moment that made you feel proud to work at Northern Health?
A: A few things… Northern Health being recognised as an Employer of Choice 2025! Seeing year-on-year improvements in our people outcomes in the People Matter Survey. That makes my heart sing!
And more recently, the expansion of the Northern Health Staff Peer Supporter Program. We’ve recruited and trained a new cohort of Peer Supporters to make the program more accessible and I’m really proud of the commitment among the Peers to support and strengthen workplace wellbeing at Northern Health.
Q: How has Northern Health supported your growth — professionally or personally?
A: I’ve learned so much here! My first role at Northern Health was a career pivot and I stepped into a completely new role compared to what I had been doing in my previous jobs. The leaders I’ve worked with at Northern Health have supported my professional and personal growth by leveraging my strengths, giving me opportunities to learn and develop new skills across different projects and roles in people experience, capability and psychosocial safety, giving me a sense of confidence and safety to try new things, to see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures, and believing in me more than I believed in myself.
Q: What keeps you coming back each day? (coffee order counts too 😊)
A: Without question, three things:
- The people I work with each day – making a difference together.
- Supporting such a critical workforce and our vision to build a healthier community and future. I believe our health and wellbeing is everything.
- Morning coffee with colleagues to gear up for the day and get it done!
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about working at Northern Health?
A: Come and join the fun! #WeAreNorthern!