Western Health

Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists in this year's Women+ for Western Health $50k grant.

This year’s Women’s Health Week celebrates the power of women’s choice and voice. It will lift the lid on shame and raise the voice of women who feel unheard. By providing free, practical health information and advice, Women’s Health Week gives women with the tips, tools and confidence to talk to their doctors, workplaces and families about their health concerns. The daily topics are: ▪️ Know your body ▪️ Courageous conversations ▪️ Shame and stigma ▪️ Point of difference ▪️ Trust your gut Some health decisions can be hard; Women’s Health Week is a trusted guide, showing women their options so they can make the choice that’s right for them. For a full list of wonderful resources, checklists, stories, podcasts and more, visit the Jean Hailes for Women's Health website to help you make the choice that’s right for you. #JeanHailes #WomensHealthWeek

Important and inclusive work happening in our consumer partnership space. Great work team!

Congratulations to our CEO Prof. Russell Harrison who has been recognised as a finalist at the Workplace Health and Safety Awards held in Sydney last night. The awards were hosted by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety and celebrates national excellence and innovation in workplace health and safety (WHS). Under Russell’s leadership, Western Health has significantly reduced WHS incidents by 44% and become a leader in implementing safety practices that are recognised as a model for the healthcare sector. His focus on employee wellbeing, gender equity, and work life balance has led to the creation of innovative programs like the Employee Positive Workplace Issue Resolution (EMPOWIR) and advanced Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) protocols. Russell's initiatives extend beyond Western Health, influencing WHS practices at national and international levels through collaborations with health authorities and his active participation in industry forums. Congratulations to the winner of the Australian WHS Champion (CEO) of the Year (more than 1,000 employees) Award, Ross Taylor of the Fletcher Building Group, and fellow award finalist Jason McGarry of the Eureka Group. Image below: Western Health CEO Prof. Russell Harrison pictured with Elisa Ilarda, Western Health Operations Manager, Occupational Violence and Aggression at our 2023 OVA Conference.

👋 Introducing Dr Nancy Sadka! As an Emergency Physician and our Simulation Program Director, Dr Sadka is passionate about using translational simulation to transform healthcare systems. If you want to find out how you can use this powerful tool, don’t miss your chance to attend the Victorian Translational SIMPosium on September 6 at Sunshine Hospital. Limited spots available. Register today: https://bit.ly/3L3ayeU You will: 👉 Hear from keynote speakers from Mater Education, Griffith University and Monash University 👉 Engage in in peer presentations 👉 Hear interactive panel discussions 👉 Network with leaders in the field. 😄 We are proud to deliver the event in partnership with the Victorian Simulation Alliance. Thank you to our sponsors: Laerdal Medical, Mediquip Pty Ltd, Simovation and Chivaune Technologies.

⏲️ Countdown to the Victorian Translational SIMposium! Don’t miss your chance to attend the special one-day event on September 6 at Sunshine Hospital, brought to you by Western Health and the Victorian Simulation Alliance. Join us for a deep dive into how translational simulation is transforming healthcare. Hear from experts from Mater Education, Griffith University and Monash University on topics like using graphic design to improve healthcare algorithms, human factors and safety science and creating adaptive systems of care. Plus, engage in peer presentations and interactive panel discussions and network with leaders in the field. Secure your spot and be a catalyst for change in healthcare! 👉 Register today: https://bit.ly/3L3ayeU Nancy Sadka, Benjamin Symon, Chiara Santomauro, Janet Anderson

Western Health Board Chair Jill Hennessy and Acting CEO Shane Crowe were thrilled to tour the Sunbury Community Hospital last week with the Victorian Premier, the Honourable Jacinta Allan, and Sunbury MP Josh Bull. The new community hospital – a multi-million-dollar upgrade and expansion of the current Sunbury Day Hospital – is now in the final stages of completion. The state-of-the-art facilities will allow us to provide an even greater range of services to our community, including dialysis, oncology and day surgery. The expanded urgent care areas will include diagnostic services including: ✅ X-ray ✅ Ultrasound rooms ✅ CT scans ✅ Pharmacy ✅ Pathology services ✅ Central wait area Exciting times for our Sunbury community and staff. Thank you Victorian Government.

👩🎓 Nurse and procurement professional Valentina Trajkovski can’t get enough of learning! Not only does she have two bachelor degrees and an MBA, she’s now the inaugural recipient of a co-funded Victoria University and Western Health Nursing and Midwifery Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship. Starting at VU this year, Valentina’s PhD topic will likely focus on how coaching with integrative medicine principles can improve the wellbeing and performance of graduate clinicians, helping them achieve lasting and fulfilling careers. Valentina says that healthcare workers are at higher risk of burnout – a type of stress linked to work that can lead to workers feeling exhausted and unmotivated, with some leaving the profession as a result. “My research will focus on how a broad range of health concepts – some from conventional medicine and others complementary therapies – might be helpful in managing stress and preventing burnout. “Through my PhD research, I hope to be able to contribute to improved conditions for those entering into clinical professions, ensuring they have every opportunity to have successful and impactful careers,” Valentina says. This inaugural PhD scholarship demonstrates the strong collaboration between Victoria University and Western Health, celebrating a shared commitment to excellence in education, research and patient care. The scholarship will financially support a Western Health nurse or midwife to undertake their PhD, and will be offered every two years.

Western Health’s Dr Adrian Tramontana featured in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) coverage of the rising human and economic costs of the overuse of antibiotics. Dr Tramontana, an infectious diseases expert, shares his concerns about the rise of super bugs.

We have two wonderful Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators here at Western Health, Samantha Stones and Jerome Hamoline. They play an important role in supporting patients, families and staff through organ donation. In 2023 at Western Health 12 families generously said “yes” to donation, this resulted in 42 life-saving transplants. Becoming an organ and tissue donor could save many lives. One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people and change the lives of many more through eye and tissue donation. Everyone is encouraged to register to become an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au or via your Medicare Express Plus App. Thank you, Samantha and Jerome, for the care and compassion you show every day.