January 13, 2026Great Scott! it’s time to charge the flux capacitor, set the time circuits back to the start of 2025 and enjoy all the episodes of Visiting Hours Season 3.
Sure, we may not have hoverboards yet, but we did explore some interesting themes and programs on the podcast, which is listened to in over 75 countries.
Jump into the Northern Health DeLorean as we get to revisit all the guests that have made this series so special, provided we can reach 88 mph.
Episode 01 – Being spoken to in one’s own language is often a safe habour; the walls come down, the wrinkles in a furrowed brow relax and for patients, it’s one less thing to worry about.
Yue Hu, Northern Health’s Director of Transcultural and Language Services and the Aboriginal Support Unit.highlights the services available through Northern Health as she shares her passion for letting people know they’re being heard. She offers some insight into her early life in China and shares the experience she had at the Northern Hospital that helped her decide to stay in Australia.
Episode 02 – Letty Bastian, Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner
We discuss an exciting study underway in ED using acupuncture for pain management and its potential benefits in that setting. Letty shares the insights she gained while studying for her Masters of Acupuncture and how it has helped shape her interactions with patients.
We explore the highs and lows of living in Far North Queensland, the hidden treasures to be found in her local community and discover a path to contentment.
Episode 03 – Dr. Lucy Forrest, Music Therapist, works with oncology/palliative care patients and their families at Northern Health. She discusses how vital it is to have a supportive team around you, the joys of cooking, and how music and art have the power to change the way people perceive and interact with clinical spaces.
Lucy tells the story behind one of her original pieces of music, she explains the lasting impact legacy creation can have for patients, and even has time for a song or two.
Episode 04 – Dr Isra’a Al Jumaily, a Hospital Medical Officer here at Northern Health. shares her experience of needing to flee her country with her family as refugees., leaving behind her home and her career.
She relates what it’s been like to start from scratch in Australia while she completes her registration, the importance of holding onto the best of one’s culture, and theory on why fishing was different post covid lockdowns
Episode 05 – Andrew Morrison, Northern Health’s Aboriginal Cultural Safety and Employment Advisor, shares on the importance of fostering a culturally safe environment within a health setting. He reveals what prompted his journey into healthcare, and why he remains so passionate in his role today.
Episode 06 – Dr Miranda Siemienowicz, CT Lead, Northern Imaging Victoria and Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Thoracic Radiology, chats about the recent commencement of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and the positive outcomes already being seen for participants. Miranda outlines the steps she’s taken to regain a balance in her life following the programs launch, making conscious decisions to de-escalate her work habits.
Episode 07 – Ella Critchley, Program Manager, Advance Care Planning at Northern Health and Chair, Victorian Advance Care Planning, Community of Practice, focuses on the importance of putting an advance care plan in place and the benefits that it yields. Ella shares some real-world examples of the freedom and relief felt by patients during the process.
We touch on positive aging, family life and some recommendations for the perfect picnic location.
Episode 08 – Seda Kiroglu, Unit Manager of Maternity Services here at Northern Health, shares her story of growth in the organisation and her thoughts on leadership. She highlights the vital role the Medical Obstetrics At Home (MOAH) program plays in delivering patient focused care when mums-to-be need it most.
Episode 09 – In this episode we visit with Northern Health’s Board Chair, Adjunct Professor Alan Lilly.
We explore what it means to be, not just a good leader, but a great one. Alan shares his thoughts on why Northern Health’s values Safe, Kind, Together, are so vital and why embracing them from the top-level down, is the key to a good reputation in our community.
Alan commends the staff for the wonderful work that’s been done this year and looks forward to a sensational 2026.
Remember, the offer to travel back through time extends beyond this jaunt. You can listen to every episode of Visiting Hours here, or wherever you get good podcasts. Now ‘make like a tree, and get outta here!’
