Today, we introduce you to the ten exceptional members of our Tribe who have been awarded Fellowship and Honorary Fellowship of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN). Fellowship is the highest honour bestowed upon a nurse for their contribution to the nursing profession and ACN, as recognised by their peers. The ten Fellows will be invested at our National Nursing Forum in 2021.
A brief outline of the background of each Fellow is provided below. Be sure to keep an eye out in the Spring edition of our Hive Magazine for in-depth features of each Fellow.
Congratulations again to the new Fellows for 2020!
Dr Anita Bamford-Wade FACN
Dr Anita Bamford-Wade has been Professor of Nursing and Midwifery at Gold Coast University Hospital Queensland/Griffith University for 6 and a half years, leading change and innovation in nursing. She has extensive experience in both nursing leadership and governance roles in health care and education.
Alison Belcastro-Tortell FACN
The owner and practice manager of her own GP Practice, Alison Belcastro-Tortell challenges traditional paradigms in career progression and nursing care and primary health. Through her clinical leadership as a practice nurse, leader and entrepreneur, Alison encourages nurses in primary care to work to their full scope of practice.
Wing Commander Sharon Bown (Ret’d) FACN
Sharon Bown has been a nurse for 25-years, with 16-years as a Nursing Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. An award-winning author, public speaker, and non-executive Director, she now serves as a Member of Council of the Australian War Memorial, National Vice-President of the Air Force Association and Ambassador for Phoenix Australia.
Karen Dansey FACN (Hon)
Karen Dansey is widely known as the guardian of ACN’s buildings, history and heritage and has dedicated 25 years to a profession she loves. Her wdie-reaching role encompasses the protection of some of ACN’s most treasured items to writing operational policies and procedures and management of both of ACN’s sites.
Dr Caleb Ferguson FACN
Dr Caleb Ferguson is a Heart Foundation and National Health and Medical Research Council supported nurse researcher. His program of research focuses on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation and the use of technology for patient education and self-management for stroke prevention.
Neil Haynes FACN (Hon)
Neil Haynes is ACN’s Chief Operating Officer & Company Secretary. Over the past seven years he has worked tirelessly leading the ACN team to diversify income and expand and develop services for members. Neil’s strategic financial acumen has been pivotal in providing leadership opportunities for Australian nurses, as well as supporting the education of nurses in the Pacific Region.
Suzie Hoitink FACN
Recognised for her entrepreneurship within the cosmetic industry as a recipient of a Telstra Business Women’s Award, Suzie Hoitink established the Clear Complexions Clinics in 2005 and has been a pioneering leader in Cosmetic Nursing since. Having sold the company in 2017 Suzie is a business strategist and consultant specialising in the healthcare industry.
Aaron Jones FACN
Aaron Jones is the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer (CNMIO) for Sydney Local Health District and the Chair of ACN’s Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
Community of Interest (CNIO COI) . He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer with the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. He was a co-author of the recently released ACN Position statement “Leading digital health transformation: The value of Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) roles.
Christopher O’Donnell FACN
Christopher O’Donnell is a strong advocate and nurse leader with a vision for providing cutting edge care whilst advancing professional and nursing practice. His contributions to ACN have made a significant impact to the nursing profession and health care throughout Australia.
Adjunct Professor Chris Raftery FACN
Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Raftery is a nurse practitioner, distinguished nursing leader and Deputy Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate. Having broad clinical and systems leadership experience and influence across the sector, he is a leading national identity with the development of advanced practice nursing, informing health care policy, strategy, reform and regulation.
