Alfred Health

We were proud to be a joint host for the Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Women's Mental Health – led by HER Centre Australia and its director Jayashri Kulkarni – in Melbourne this week. Addressing the conference theme to ‘redefine the future of women’s mental health’, our Board Chair The Hon Martin Foley spoke about partnerships, shared optimism and enthusiasm being key to positive change. “We have a shared mission to enlarge both the world, and scope, of women’s mental health, and HER Centre is a vital partner in this journey with Alfred Health,” Martin said. “Together, we are shaping community and sector attitudes to mental health and wellbeing – building on the hard work and vision of many consumers, carers, clinicians, community workers and researchers. “While there is still much to do as we continue to respond to the growing need to address mental illness experienced by Victorians – most notably in the world of women’s mental health - we are on the right journey."

On World Mental Health Day, we’re taking time to reflect on what it means to prioritise mental health in the workplace. Psychiatric Nurse Educator Jess Cabuang said taking the lead on her mental wellbeing sets a standard for those she works with. “I really want my students to choose mental health nursing as a profession,” Jess said. "As an educator, I feel it’s important for future nurses to see us being proactive in maintaining our wellbeing, and not being burnt out.” Service Improvement Coordinator John Moran has been working at Alfred Health for over 20 years, with nursing roles in the Acute Patient Unit and the Quality team. “I’m in a position to see what’s occurring over the whole of the mental health program, which includes clinical and OH&S risks, along with compliments and complaints,” said John. “It means I can see how staff are affected more broadly, which informs how we can best support them.” Alfred Health Chief Executive Adam Horsburgh said an important element of prioritising mental health in the workplace is recognising the flow-on effect those experiences can have in other parts of our lives. “We know our staff want to come to work here and do the best they can,” Adam said. “I want Alfred Health to be the kind of place where people feel able to speak up when they need support, and know that we have help available whenever it's needed.”

Our amazing clinicians at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) were celebrated at this year’s International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) World Congress in Sydney. IUSTI is a global, annual event where researchers, policymakers and educators can meet and talk about the work they’re doing to prevent and control STIs, and improve sexual health on a worldwide scale. Early career researchers Dr Stephanie Bond, Dr Ei Aung and Dr Kay Htaik received the award for best presentation; while Dr Tiffany Phillips received the 2024 Levinia Crooks Emerging Leaders Award. Prof Eric Chow received the IUSTI Silver Medal 2024 in recognition of his leadership and contributions as IUSTI2024 Congress President. “It’s fantastic to see the next generation of researchers receiving such high recognition at an international conference,” Eric said. “In addition to honouring their achievements, they’re able to be in a space where they can expand their networks and find peer support which ultimately enhances their work, leading to better health outcomes for everyone.” Congratulations Stephanie, Ei, Kay, Tiffany and Eric!

A huge congratulations to Registered Nurse Lorance Jinyola, who continues to share her medical expertise as she completes a Masters of Humanitarian Aid. Lorance recently secured an internship with World Vision, which will see her working to address poverty and hunger in Australia and abroad. “So far, the internship has been amazing, because I’m constantly learning. A lot of it is working with children and working with other non-government organisations. Lorance said it was important to her to make time for volunteering, to share the expertise of what she’s learnt through her studies and at Alfred Health. Currently, she’s completing her internship while nursing, which includes night shifts. “You make the time for the things you value. And I have a really supportive Nurse Unit Manager that means I’m able to complete this,” Lorance said. “We have so much expertise at Alfred Health, being able to share that knowledge and skills with the communities that need it is such a privilege.” Best of luck in your studies, Lorance!

A familiar face will be pulling on the Big V at the National Transplant Games in Canberra this week, with transplant recipient and Alfred volunteer Steve representing the state in lawn bowls. After receiving a double lung transplant at The Alfred a few years ago, Steve spent six weeks in ICU and a further three months living near the hospital so he could attend the on-site gym for rehab. Since then, Steve has been a loyal volunteer at The Alfred, making the two-hour commute from his home in Beaconsfield to spend time with patients and visitors. “It’s my way of thanking The Alfred for being who they are and what they are,” Steve said. “They’ve changed my life for the better.” Steve said the games, which run from 1-6 October, are a great opportunity to connect with other transplant recipients, to keep active, and to celebrate the gift of life. “It’s not about winning; it’s about meeting other people in similar positions,” Steve said. “Being able to be active has changed my life. When I retired, I used to just sit at home – now I’m playing golf twice a week, bowling ... I love it.”

Today we celebrate World Pharmacists Day! 💊 According to Senior Respiratory Pharmacist Grace Shaw, it’s a role that involves so much more than dispensing medication. “I think there's still a perception that a pharmacist is someone who wears a white jacket and puts a label on a box,” Grace said. “In reality we play a crucial role in figuring out the best medications to give patients, and we also consult with them to formulate practical treatment plans that will work for them,” Grace said. “For example, your doctor knows how to diagnose you, but if you're on 12 different medications, you need someone who can advise on how they interact with each other.” Alfred Health’s unique and innovative approach to pharmacy was a big draw card for Grace when entering the workforce. “Alfred Health is known for something called partnered pharmacist charting, where pharmacists work with the doctors to chart the medications for inpatients,” Grace said. Notably at Alfred Health, all medical teams include a pharmacist that participates during decision making points, including during ward rounds. “We also do a lot of pharmacist-led therapeutic drug monitoring, which is where the prescriber starts the medicine, but then us pharmacists order the levels, interpret them and adjust the dose accordingly,” Grace said. Despite their depth of knowledge and many achievements, Deputy Director of Pharmacy for Workforce and Culture Diana Sandulache said Alfred Health pharmacists don’t give themselves enough credit. “It’s hard getting pharmacists to talk themselves up, because we like to keep our heads down and work away in the background,” Diana said. Chief Medical Officer at Alfred Health Dr Tony Kambourakis said World Pharmacists Day is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise the work of our pharmacy team. “Our pharmacists are integral members of our workforce,” Dr Kambourakis said. “Their continued innovation, research and health care advocacy is at the forefront of the profession and promotes better health outcomes for our patients and the community."

We were delighted to have Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt join us at The Alfred today to announce close to 300 new scholarships to upskill the mental health workforce. Joined by our chief executive Adam Horsburgh Board Chair The Hon Martin Foley, Minister Stitt met with members of our Alfred Mental and Addiction Health (AMAH) team, which included past recipients of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship Program. AMAH Program Director A/Prof Simon Stafrace said the scholarship program is an important step in supporting the growth of the mental health sector. “These scholarships make further training affordable and accessible,” Simon said. “There are people who have taken these scholarships and are now directly involved in teaching the next generation of nurses and health workers across the sector.” Thank you to those from AMAH who put time aside to share their experience of how the scholarship program has boosted their career growth and, in turn, helped care for more Victorians.

Congratulations to our colleague Dr Tony Kambourakis, who has been appointed Alfred Health’s new Chief Medical Officer. Since joining Alfred Health as Director of Medical Services in 2016, Dr Kambourakis has made a significant contribution to enhancing clinical governance programs, patient safety and medical workforce development, said Alfred Health CE Adam Horsburgh (Horsburgh, Adam). “Dr Kambourakis has played a key role in leading the governance of medical training programs, overseeing the introduction of new clinical procedures, and providing professional development and support to clinicians at Alfred Health.” “As an adjunct senior lecturer with the Monash University School of Translational Medicine, he is also actively involved in inter-professional, undergraduate, and postgraduate medical education." "He is an asset to Alfred Health and we congratulate him on this well-deserved appointment.”

A team member whose focus is on giving junior doctors the best possible career start has been awarded Victorian Clinical Educator of the Year. Congratulations to Sarah Hill, Learning and Development Manager for Medical Education, who was recognised by the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria for her significant contribution to the education and training of junior doctors in their first and second postgraduate years. An important part of the team's work is focused on supporting the next generation of doctors to thrive through education and wellbeing initiatives, Sarah said (pictured middle, with colleagues). "A junior doctor's role inherently involves a considerable physical and emotional load, and without adequate support, this has the potential to impact their mental and physical health." "Providing junior doctors with comprehensive support is so important because it helps them to maintain a healthier work-life balance - which ultimately sets them up to succeed in their early career and beyond, and to best care for patients." Congratulations Sarah!

A familiar face will be gracing screens across the nation as our very own Arvin Garcia takes to the kitchens in the Great Australian Bake Off! Arvin has been working at Alfred Health’s Caulfield Hospital for the past decade, his first job in Australia since moving from the Philippines. “After living here two years, I started missing the home-cooked meals I grew up with and the food from home, so I started baking,” said Arvin. “Then, it became a great way for me to escape the stresses of work and life. I baked one cake for one of my friends and it sort of took off from there. “But I realised I enjoyed the creative process of designing cakes.” As Bed Access Manager at Caulfield Hospital Arvin is also known for his baking prowess, turning pantry staples into something extraordinary for friends. He's even dazzled us at staff events, most recently making a cake to mark the 10th anniversary of Alfred Health's Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. You can catch him on season seven of The Great Australian Bake Off weekly, from Wednesday 18 September at 8.30pm on Foxtel and Binge. Best of luck Arvin, we know you’ll make us proud!