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Sunday October 29th, 2023
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne
*Program subject to change
We would like to acknowledge with sincere thanks, our sponsoring organisations:
We would also like to thank our supporting partners:
Presenters
Professor Catherine Crock, AM
Catherine is Founder and Chair of the Hush Foundation, which transforms healthcare culture through the arts. Catherine is a physician at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, a respected contributor to an international community of healthcare change agents and has worked closely with patients and families to redesign services and improve quality and safety. Catherine strongly believes in the power of the arts to effect change and build more kind health systems for all involved. Through Hush, she has commissioned 21 Albums of original Australian music composed and performed by some of Australia's leading musicians, especially for healthcare environments. In collaboration with playwright Alan Hopgood AM, Catherine developed 3 healthcare plays which are performed in hospitals and Aged Care to raise awareness of patient centred care, communication, patient and staff safety. Catherine founded the Gathering of Kindness in 2016, a movement designed to envision and work towards a kind and safe health system for patients, families and staff. Catherine received a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for her contribution to medicine, to community healthcare standards and to the Arts. Her outstanding contribution to Australian Music was recognised with an Australian Independent Records Association award in 2023. She is a Monash Fellow (2020) and a Professor at the Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development.
Nat Bartsch
Double ARIA-nominated pianist/composer Nat Bartsch is known for creating heartfelt, beautiful music on a spectrum between classical and jazz. She has released eight albums including her acclaimed lullaby album Forever, and No Time At All. She has toured internationally and domestically and recently launched her own record label Amica Records, after several years releasing music for ABC. She holds a degree in jazz improvisation from the Victorian College of the Arts, and recently submitted her Masters in classical composition at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. She has been awarded multiple prizes and commissions, her music has been streamed over 6 million times. Most importantly, however, her music supports people from all walks of life, in deeply personal moments: from the childbirth, to the final hours of life, supporting mental health, disability, trauma and grief. Nat is proudly neurodivergent.
Maria Berry
Maria Berry describes her involvement with connecting, supporting and working alongside older people in both professional and volunteer roles for over 30 + years as an absolute honour and privilege.
Involvement at a community, state, national and global level, voicing and advocating for the rights of older people and pushing for their voices to be heard. Social inclusion, valuing, respecting and treating older people with dignity and respect is a basic human right. Another key focus for Maria has been creating awareness and education around the prevention of abuse of older people. Speaking at community events, conferences, forums , with media, grasping every opportunity. Maria has been involved with the Gathering of Kindness since 2016. Fondly nick named “The Aged Care Warrior” by the kindness tribe, her goal is to spread the kindness word throughout every single service, organisation, group and for all staff on the frontline.
Dr Donald Berwick MD, USA
A trailblazing leader, Dr Berwick is a physician and innovative healthcare reformer and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). He is President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement and is also former Administrator of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. A pediatrician by background, Dr. Berwick has served on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, served as Vice Chair of the US Preventive Services Task Force, the first "Independent Member" of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees, and Chair of the National Advisory Council of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Dr Berwick says, “At last, I think we’re starting to recognize the inescapable importance of the social determinants of health, but now we need to go one very hard step further. We need to call out, not just the social determinants of health, but also the moral determinants of health, because without that we are not going to find the will to act.”
Duncan Brown
Duncan brings a unique combination of 20+ years professional experience in organisational development and culture evolution, doctoral research experience and extensive academic knowledge in organisational culture. He has lived experience of the tragic outcomes of systemic and cultural failures within the Health System. Duncan has been working with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local District Health Service's Clinical Governance Unit (NSW) to address internal environmental challenges and co-designing initiatives that will bring greater protection for others. Duncan strongly believes that the right combination of safety and clinical improvements, along with the creation of conducive environments, will enable health professionals to fulfil their values-driven professional endeavours, and thereby enhance patient safety and care.
Duncan recently spoke at a Clinical Excellence Commission symposium and received a standing ovation. Duncan is a member of our community, a patient and consumer of our health services, and very recently has become a carer living with the heartbreaking consequences of a failure in patient care. Duncan has been working with ISLHD’s, Clinical Governance Unit, and more specifically the SEED program, to address internal environmental challenges and co-designing initiatives that will bring "greater protection for others". Duncan strongly believes that the right combination of safety and clinical improvements, along with the creation of conducive environments, will enable health professionals to fulfil their values-driven professional endeavours, and thereby enhance patient safety and care.
Professor Kim Cunio
Kim is Head of the School of Music at the Australian National University (ANU) and is an activist composer interested in old and new musics and the role of intercultural music in making sense of our larger world. A scholar, composer and performer, Kim embodies the skills of the artist, showing that writing and making art are part of the same paradigm of deep artistic exploration. Kim still holds onto his dream of healing the world as we heal ourselves.
Gwenda 'Pinky' Darling
Gwenda received a dementia diagnosis in March 2013. The diagnosing geriatrician gave her 5 years with medication, 3 without. Gwenda continues to live a full life with her dementia, advocating for community members to age well in their own homes. Gwenda is a member of the National Older Persons Reference Group, Council of Elders member, Dementia Australia Advisory Committee, AdNET registry steering committee member, investigator with University of Western Australia, Deakin University and QUT research grants. Gwenda is also involved in research with Griffith university Malnutrition in dementia and QUT aphasia research.
A proud Palawa Aboriginal woman, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who lives in rural NSW on the Victorian border. Gwenda advocates, as a volunteer, and provides advice and assists others in rural communities in navigating aged care services. Currently facilitating two Dementia Inclusive Communities in the Berrigan Shire, supporting people living with dementia in residential aged care as well as their own homes. Gwenda encourages and assists carers and loved ones to navigate the complex journey of dementia from diagnosis through palliative care and the loss and grief associated with the long goodbye.
Arthur Demetriou
Living with cerebral palsy has given Arthur a different lens on life, and incomparable wisdom. At 17, he's able to reflect on his time at The Royal Children's Hospital and share his lessons for life.
Dr Jillan Farmer
Dr Jillann Farmer is project lead for the Commonwealth Government funded 'A Better Culture' project, hosted by the Royal Australiasian College of Medical Administrators. Dr Farmer was Medical Director of the United Nations, (based in New York) for 8 years. During her tenure at the UN, she was responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of all UN personnel deployed universally and was also responsible for the standards in healthcare facilities operating under the UN flag. She managed the UN’s response to the New York wave of COVID-19 in 2020. Since leaving the UN, she has worked as a Deputy Director General in Queensland Health and as a front-line clinician in primary care and emergency medicine. Prior to serving in the UN, she was Medical Director of the Patient Safety Centre in Queensland Health, and inaugural Director of the Clinician Performance Support Service. Jillann currently balances her role as CEO with clinical work in a rural ED. Outside of work, she has been a martial artist for 30+ years, and is a keen hiker, kayaker & cyclist.
Dr Samir Heble
Samir Heble is Director of Psychiatry (Clinical Governance , Mental Health ETS) WA Country Health Service. He is a psychiatrist, author, artist, poet and mindfulness therapist. Kindness and empathy are core to his heart and soul, and he loves to share in each other's kindness experiences and love. He feels it is a privilege and an honour to be able to be in this intrinsically kind universe.
Göran Henriks
Mr. Henriks' academic background is in Psychology from the University of Lund, and he has worked as a child psychologist. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Gothenburg. He worked as a child- and school psychologist during 1976-1983. Between 1978 and 2000 he was also engaged in top sport as he was coaching national teams in basketball.
Mr. Henriks has been Chief Executive of Learning and Innovation in Region Jönköping for 27 years and more than fourty years’ experience of management in the Swedish healthcare system.
Göran Henriks is appointed as key note speaker and teacher at many national and international conferences, such as the International Forum of Quality and Safety, APAC and the international ISQUA conference. He has written articles about balanced scorecard, learning, access and spread, and improvement of quality in cancer care.
Dr Arnagretta Hunter
Dr Arnagretta Hunter is a physician, cardiologist and the Human Futures Fellow, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University. She has practiced medicine in major cities and regional centres with a patient-centred focus. She has a broad interest in public policy across Australia and internationally. She is a member of the ANU Institute for Climate Disaster and Energy Solutions and is chair of the Commission for the Human Future. She is a co host of Policy Forum Podcast for the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. Her research work is diverse and centres around human health and wellbeing, the relationship between health and the environment, and the challenge of climate change. She was a Bob and June Pricket Churchill Fellow in 2019 during which she examined skills in Narrative Medicine for education of medical students, doctors, patients and families. She is based on Ngunnawal land in Canberra.
Dr Tina Janamian
Dr Tina Janamian is the Group Chief Executive at the Australian General Practice
Accreditation Ltd (AGPAL) Group of Companies and an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland. Dr Janamian has over 15 years senior leadership experience and a diverse background across academia, health care transformation, healthcare workforce development and health services research. Dr Janamian is a passionate leader driven to support Australia’s health care reform. She is committed to improving person-centred integrated health care service delivery through patient and care provider feedback, continuous quality improvement, systems redesign and innovative models of care to achieve the Quintuple Aim. Tina is a member on the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) Accreditation Council and ISQua’s Academy of Quality and Safety in Health Care – contributing to health services quality improvement and patient safety on a national and international level. She is a Director on several not-for-profit Boards, a member of two International Editorial Boards, and a reviewer for numerous reputable medical journals.
Sharee Johnson
Sharee is a registered Psychologist, Professional Coach, skilled Facilitator, Speaker, Meditation Teacher and Author of bestselling book The Thriving Doctor, How to be more balanced and fulfilled working in medicine. She is Founder and Managing Director of Coaching for Doctors with the core of her work as Professional Coach to doctors and healthcare leaders.
Sharee is an experienced facilitator and coach. She brings a significant depth of knowledge about enhanced performance, well-being and mental health to her work. Sharee’s work is future focused and goal oriented. Her clients experience a safe place for review, problem solving and stretch, experiencing clarity of purpose, improved health and often transformation in their lives and their work. Sharee has worked in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors over the last 25 years building a unique combination of expertise in organisational, health and counselling psychology. Sharee has worked across a wide range of industries including the energy, oil and gas sectors, finance, recreation and leisure industry, small business, schools, health and welfare, and all levels of government.
Dr Hilton Koppe
Hilton Koppe is a writer, educator, podcaster and doctor living on Bundjalung Land on the east coast of Australia. He is a long-standing member of Dementia Training Australia’s GP education team. Hilton facilitates reflective writing workshops for doctors and other health professionals with the goal of deepening their compassion, overcoming professional isolation and reducing risk of burnout. The workshops have been adapted for people living with chronic and mental illnesses, as well as enthusiastic amateur writers. Hilton has been invited to present his workshops all the way from Byron Writers Festival to Harvard Medical School. Hilton’s book, One Curious Doctor: A Memoir of Medicine, Migration and Mortality, explores the personal impact of working as a country doctor. His play, Enduring Witness, is used to facilitate conversations about end-of-life care. Hilton is co-host of Dementia In Practice, a top 100 Great Australian Pod.
Lucy Mayes
Lucy Mayes is Manager of Engagement at the Hush Foundation and consults in leadership development, strategy, governance, partnerships and engagement. She is a Tedx presenter, published author and sought-after presenter and facilitator. Lucy’s unique skill set draws on her training as a lawyer, social worker and company director and her work across multiple settings including corporate, local government, healthcare, the arts and not for profit. Lucy also designs and faciliates intimate group experiences based in nature and creativity which are designed to support participants to deepen stillness, connection and balance. Lucy’s pioneering work in leadership development has been recognised with her being awarded the Australian Rural Women’s Award, Victorian Runner Up in 2008, and a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship in 2000. She is author of Beyond the Stethoscope: doctors’ stories of reclaiming hope, heart and healing in medicine. The research and publication of this book and her subsequent work in the field have sparked her awareness of the desperate need and hunger for more humanism in workplaces, and in the world. Lucy is Chair of the Castlemaine State Festival, has served on several not for profit Boards, has worked in leadership development for over 25 years and has a lifetime interest in human systems and purpose at work.
Aunty Rochelle Patten
Aunty Rochelle Patten is a highly respected elder and cultural leader and artist. Patten has a Masters of Applied Science at Deakin University—which she achieved at fifty years of age—focused on the health of the Dungahla (Murray) River and Murray Darling Basin areas of where she has lived and continues to care for. She has worked for the Native Title Legal Service and the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Medical Service as the chairperson for sixteen years. Patten also sits on the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council as a director for her region. Patten has been creating art for many years and recently had a joint exhibition at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre titled Two Strong Sisters. Patten has been on the Yulendj knowledge group for Museums Victoria since 2012 and was an integral contributor to the First Peoples exhibition at Melbourne Museum. She is a respected member of her community and currently lives in the Barmah Forest connecting and caring to her country and animal friends.
Uncle Alan Parsons
Uncle Alan Parsons is a highly respected nomadic Elder, artist, activist and storyteller. Uncle Alan is heavily involved in his community, having contributed actively to significant reforms of disability legislation, Indigenous advocacy, and working with healthcare and other organisations, individuals and pre-school children around connecting to Country, unification and healing. His mob are the Bidjira people from Canarvon Gorge in and has lived in the Caboolture area since the late 1960's.
Dr Andy Phillips
Andy is Executive Director of Safety for Safer Care Victoria, with the aim of transforming the safety of the Victorian health system. Before that, he worked in New Zealand with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and then interim New Zealand on the first national health plan for New Zealand and the NZ charter of values for the health system. Andy was Te Tumu Matatau, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer at Hawkes Bay District Health Board from April 2015. Prior to this, He was an Executive Director and Board Member at ABMU Health Board in Wales from 2009. Andy started his career in clinical research with the UK Medical Research Council in 1987, was appointed as a Consultant Clinical Scientist in 1993 and subsequently led 5 Clinical Services in the UK. Andy was employed on secondment to a number of UK Government Agencies as an expert in Clinical Governance, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. His research career progressed from large scale epidemiological studies to developing novel physiological tests. For more than twenty years he has been developing and implementing innovative frameworks to codesign health systems and support clinicians to build better relationships with patients. Andy has recently worked on a model of intentional and mindful kindness - which he calls Kindfullness.
Dr Chris Turner
Chris Turner is a consultant in emergency medicine at University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire. He founded and runs Civility Saves Lives, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of the power of civility in healthcare.
