Photo: Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program participants during the June 2021 masterclasses
Participants of the Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program will receive the unprecedented opportunity to learn from and be inspired by national thought leaders during a five-day face-to-face masterclass. The masterclass allows participants to gain tangible skills to consolidate their leadership careers by covering topics such as leadership and strategy, developing high-performing teams, clinical governance, human resource management, health economics and more.
To learn more about the diverse experience and backgrounds of the masterclass presenters, check out the speaker bios below.
Following the five-day leadership intensive, participants will be supported to develop their leadership skills and confidence through six months of learning sets and coaching.
Program intakes will be offered in February, April and September 2022. Head to the Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program page to find out more or apply now to secure one of the limited places for the program’s 2022 intakes.
Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN
Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN is an internationally renowned nurse who has worked tirelessly across direct care, consultancy, academia, research and in leadership roles to spearhead the advancement of the nursing profession in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and Australia for over 40 years. She is a Professor of Nursing and Health Services Management at Edith Cowan University, Perth; Emeritus Professor University of Technology Sydney and President/Chair Australian College of Nursing. Learn more about Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN is a renowned leader and a passionate CEO who has shaped the Australian College of Nursing to become a prominent and influential professional organisation. As well as leading a strong and collective voice for the nursing profession to improve patient outcomes and the social determinants of health for all Australians, Kylie is also driven to improve gender equality and diversity as well as promoting the importance of women in leadership roles both nationally and internationally. Learn more about Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Adjunct Professor Debra Thoms FACN (DLF)
Adjunct Professor Debra Thoms FACN (DLF) is the former Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, a role she held from August 2015 to July 2019. She was previously the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Australian College of Nursing, a position she was appointed to in May 2012 following six years as the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer with NSW Health. Learn more about Adjunct Professor Debra Thoms on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Dr Jen Bichel-Findlay FACN
Dr Jen Bichel-Findlay FACN has been employed in the health service industry for 45 years in clinical, educative and managerial roles, and understands how technology and digitisation can influence patient outcomes and service delivery efficiency in the complex healthcare environment. Having worked on several local, state and national health informatics activities, she is not only committed to supporting data driven decision making at the local level but also major health reform through innovation and digital health initiatives at a state and national level. Learn more about Dr Jen Bichel-Findlay on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Karen Cook FACN
Karen Cook FACN has been a registered nurse for almost 40 years. In her lengthy career she has worked in a variety of settings here and in the UK. Most recently she was Senior Nursing and Midwifery Adviser in the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in the Australian Government Department of Health. Prior to this she held positions as Nursing Adviser at Health Workforce Australia and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. Learn more about Karen Cook on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Adjunct Professor Sue Hawes FACN
Adjunct Professor Sue Hawes FACN is a registered nurse and has worked in numerous roles as a senior clinician and executive. She was the former Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer of the Northern Territory (NT) and the Executive Director of the Hazard Management Authority, which held governance and accountability for NT’s COVID-19 response. Learn more about Adjunct Professor Sue Hawes on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Dr Samantha Jakimowicz FACN
Dr Samantha Jakimowicz FACN is the Director Professional Engagement at the Australian College of Nursing. She recently moved to this position from the University of Technology Sydney where she worked as a Senior Lecturer for a number of years. Samantha is a Registered Nurse with clinical and research experience in intensive care. She is passionate about the wellbeing of nurses and healthcare professionals and is a qualified psychotherapist. Her research interests and expertise lie with compassion, empathy, patient experience and workforce sustainability. Samantha has published extensively on these topics. Learn more about Dr Samantha Jakimowicz on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Mark Kearin FACN
Mark Kearin FACN is the Manager, Membership Organising Team at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and has over 25 years’ experience in senior nursing and heath executive roles in major health services in New South Wales and Queensland. Mark is also a Non-Executive Director on the Nurses and Midwives Health Insurance Board and a Council Member of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Learn more about Mark Kearin on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Dr Lynette Cusack MACN
Dr Lynette Cusack MACN is an Associate Professor in the Adelaide Nursing School. Her research focus is on the contemporary role of the nurse/midwife in a range of different contexts; evaluating models of practice, including impact on the health care system, interdisciplinary team and patients’/women’s experience. Lynette is a member of the International Collaboration on Occupational Resilience (ICOR) and has been involved in developing models of workplace resilience for nurses/midwives. Lynette provides practice based research support to nurses and midwives at a major metropolitan hospital in South Australia. Learn more about Dr Lynette Cusack on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Deb Pittam MACN
Deb Pittam MACN has been a nurse for more than 30 years and specialises in the areas of community health, sexual health, population health, health promotion, custodial health, practice development and leadership and leadership development. Her passions include women’s health, women in leadership and wellbeing at work. Learn more about Deb Pittam on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
Dr Christine Dennis
Dr Christine Dennis is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Christine is skilled in health care management, strategic and operational planning, clinical governance, patient safety, and health policy. Christine is a strong business development professional and holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) focused in International Business and Strategic Planning from the University of South Australia. Learn more about Dr Christine Dennis on our Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program Speaker page.
