Meet the 2022 National Nursing Forum speakers

Given that she is not really the retiring type she is back at work as a member of the Nursing Taskforce in the Australian Government Department of Health working on development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy and the Nurse Practitioner 10 year plan. Work that is equal parts rewarding, frustrating and exciting!

In her spare time Karen is a marriage celebrant, event MC and proud grandmother.

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Having published over 200 research papers, Christine was named in Mendeley’s Top 100,000 Cited Researchers of the World in 2020. Christine is also the Associate Editor for the International Journal of Nursing Studies, the most highly ranked international nursing journal.

Christine led the development of the first five industry funded Chairs of Nursing in Australia and has been instrumental in establishing key institutions including the Centre for Graduate Nursing Studies (1989) and the Centre for Health Services Management (1999).

Christine has held numerous senior University roles on Academic and Graduate Students Committees and has made a significant impact to the nursing profession by attracting over $14M in research funding as Chief Investigator, supervised 30+ research students and examined 30+ research theses.

Christine is an experienced Board Director who has established and chaired Clinical Governance Committees for two aged care Boards.

As the President/Chair of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), she has led the review of the ACN Constitution, governance policies and procedures and assisted in moving to a skills-based Board.

A skilled leader, Christine has been a member of State and Commonwealth Committees including Health Workforce Australia; Grants Committee Rosemary Bryant Centre; NHMRC and ARC expert review panels; Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Advisory Committee – Recognising and Responding to Clinical Deterioration and has represented Australia on panels for the International Council of Nurses.

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A nurse through and through, Sonia has spent a lot of time with people on the streets who have been disengaged from health care for years, listening to their stories and their worries. She was struck by the loneliness of people sleeping rough and doing it tough and combined with witnessing hundreds of representations to the Emergency Department in the role of Nurse Unit Manager, she decided she had to do something different for vulnerable Australians. So, she made the courageous decision to resign from her permanent public health sector managerial role together with Dr Nova Evans, to address the gap in provision of care to people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Australia.

In 2018, Sonia and Nova, who passionately believe there had to be a better way to provide equitable, quality health care for vulnerable Australians, decided to put their vision into action and literally take health care to the streets.

Sonia began to change the lives of thousands of Australians by setting up a simple nursing kit and started providing health care from the back of a car boot. This led to the development of the innovative service we know today as Sunny Street.

Whilst many of Sonia’s friends and family told her it wasn’t possible to step out and truly make a difference, Sonia backed herself and found the way forward. Today, Sunny Street is an award-winning health care service and since 2018, has provided over 30,000 consultations.

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As a global leader in nursing, health care, and advocacy, Professor Davidson’s work focuses on person-centred care delivery and the improvement of cardiovascular health outcomes for women and vulnerable populations. She has extensively studied chronic conditions, transitional care, palliative care, and the translation of innovative, acceptable, and sustainable health initiatives across the world.

Professor Davidson serves as counsel general of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues, and was a past board member of CUGH and secretary general of the Secretariat of the World Health Organizations Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery. She also serves on the Board of Health Care Services for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the United States.

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From humble beginnings, Kylie has gone on to become one of the most influential professional health leaders of the country and a formidable, passionate advocate for women, children and equality.

Kylie’s story is grounded in service to others, a vision for a greater future and a tenacity to get the job done. Kylie’s strengths lie in breaking down the walls, reframing the issue for fresh thinking and bringing people together to create long-lasting solutions.

Kylie currently serves as CEO of Australian College of Nursing (ACN). She has led a program of transformation at ACN, increasing revenue, tripling student numbers, raising awareness of the profession and building a legacy of nursing leadership, policy, sponsorship and community.

Kylie is inspired to increase the recognition of nurses and women in society. Articulating and amplifying the professional voice of nurses, ensuring they have a major seat at the table to develop health and social policy.

She has led the ACN community to find their relevance through policy leadership, political and industry influence, as such, ACN is now Australia’s beacon for Nurse Leadership.

Kylie holds honorary academic appointments with five leading Australian universities and in 2017, Kylie won Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in ACT for Purpose and Social Enterprise.

In 2022, Kylie was named the ACT Winner of the Excellence in Women’s Leadership Awards by Women and Leadership Australia and was a national finalist for two of CEO Magazine’s prestigious awards, CEO of the Year and Not-For-Profit Executive of the Year.

Kylie has served on numerous State and Territory Senate and Parliamentary Inquiries and gave evidence in 2019 at the Aged Care Royal Commission.

Before joining ACN, Kylie ran a successful consultancy specialising in transformation, executive coaching, leadership and change management. She is renowned for her business acumen, entrepreneurship, and visionary style leadership.

Kylie is a regular keynote speaker, author, media personality and mother of two men.

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She is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Leadership Fellow with an interest in stroke and implementation research. She has been successful in obtaining 105 grants totalling over $94 million. Professor Middleton is Director of the Maridulu Budyari Gumal (Sydney Partnership for Health Education, Research and Enterprise – SPHERE) Implementation Science platform; and Director of the Maridulu Budyari Gumal (SPHERE) Nursing and Midwifery Implementation Science Academy. She is co-ordinating the development and implementation of the SPHERE Nursing and Midwifery Clinician Researcher Career Pathway. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation and the Clinical Excellence Commission; and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry.

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Adam was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2010, making history as the first Green elected to the House of Representatives at a general election.

The Australian Greens are now the biggest third party in Australia’s history after gaining an extra three seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the 2022 Federal Election.

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In the years that have followed she has served in health facilities including Number 3 RAAF Hospital, Health Services Flights Pearce and Tindal with operational experience on exercises and deployments. This health experience supported her health planning role in Headquarters 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing and varying policy and governance roles in Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group, Joint Health Command and Air Force Headquarters. She was privileged to Command Joint Health Unit Northern New South Wales and is the current Director of Defence Force Nursing.

Group Captain Stein’s professional development activities have included the USAF Flight Nurse Course and tertiary studies to specialise in Trauma Nursing and Emergency Management. She recently Graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served as a Director on the Board for a Not for Profit Organisation making a difference in Mental Health Services for the community. Her interests outside of work include supporting her childrens’ sporting pursuits, catching up with friends and community service. She has two teenage boys and indulges one very spoilt puppy, Alfie.

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Shannon strives to support, encourage and develop all staff who work within WMHS to deliver virtual care to ensure patients are provided with a suite of virtual care models that facilitate a smooth transition through different stages in their health care journey. These innovative programs use remote patient monitoring, telehealth, clinical software and reporting to focus on delivering personalised care to patients in their own home and reduce the burden on hospital resources.

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Alison is a Registered Nurse with a Critical Care Nursing Certificate, a Bachelor Degree in Education, a Master of Business Administration, she has held senior executive roles in government and health services within Victoria including the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience and Director of Health Emergency Management.

Alison is a member of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee contributing to advice provided to the National Cabinet during the COVID-19 pandemic and, chair of the Infection Control Expert Group providing advice and information on best practice on infection prevention and control in the community, hospitals, aged care, schools and community sport. Alison has been a part of a team providing communication to the community, which is clear, honest, and compassionate

She was awarded a Public Service Medal in June 2021 for outstanding public service to driving the Government’s national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to infection prevention measures. a National Emergency Medal in recognition of service following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires National Emergency Medal and a in 2021 a Humanitarian Overseas Medal.

As an Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) member Alison has deployed on a number of occasions including the repatriation of Australians from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship in Japan (2020), Fiji following cyclone Winston (2016), Vanuatu following cyclone Pam (2015) and Banda Aceh, Indonesia (2005) following the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

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Prior to this Amanda was the Chief Operating Officer at Services Australia and served as interim Chief Executive Officer during its transition from a department of state to an agency. Amanda held several other senior roles at Services Australia, including an extended period as Deputy Secretary, Health and Aged Care Group, where she was responsible for the delivery of payments and services to Australians under Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits scheme and in the aged care sector.

Amanda has previously held senior roles in the Commonwealth Departments of Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs. In her earlier career Amanda worked as a lawyer in Victoria, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Commerce, a Master of Laws and a Master of Business Administration. In 2013, she received the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service leading reform in providing housing for Indigenous people in remote communities and the National Gambling Reform laws.

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Mish is a Registered Nurse and Midwife who holds a Master of Science (Midwifery). Mish has worked in remote and regional services across Australia, and several overseas countries. Prior to joining NT Health, Mish successfully contributed to roles at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar which encompassed 15 hospitals, as well as Mater Health Services, QLD. In addition, since commencing at NT Health, Mish led the accreditation of Top End Health Services, established the Assistant in Nursing/Midwifery models of care, supported the NT-wide sepsis initiative, and currently has the portfolio of the NT and Top End Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety services.

Mish is an energetic, pro-active, and committed health care leader. Mish is focused on strategically planning and executing continually improving systems and processes, to ensure effective, accessible, safe, and compassionate person centred care.

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This combination of Nationalities, home life and hospital has provided a 24/7 training ground that has nurtured Georgie’s naturally funny bones. Her bluntness and charm coupled with razor-sharp wit, give her a broad-spectrum appeal that can be put into any room and shine.

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