People in healthcare

Inaugural Rural and Remote Health Awards

Rural communities are a foundation of the economy and society and must be kept healthy.

There are significant personal, professional and financial rewards for rural healthcare professionals. However, there are also challenges – isolation, long hours, confusion about where to turn for support.

To acknowledge and celebrate the work of Rural and Remote Health Professionals, Rural Health Pro have launched the inaugural National Rural and Remote Health Awards.

Recognising service in health regulation

In April 2023, Professor John Skerritt retired from his position of Deputy Secretary Health Products Regulation Group, a role he has been in since 2012. During his time at the TGA he had line responsibility for over 1200 staff involved in the regulation of therapeutic goods, regulation of gene technology and industrial chemicals and control of drug import, export and production.

At this year’s ARCS 2023 Conference, ARCS Australia CEO Dr Shanny Dyer paid tribute to Professor Skerritt and his service to the Australian health industry. She led a tribute with fellow industry heads, Elizabeth de Somer, CEO, Medicines Australia, Anne Harris, Managing Director, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand, Deon Schoombie, CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Australia, Ian Burgess, CEO, Medical Technology Association of Australia and Arthur Brandwood, President ARCS Australia.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule needing greater awareness

Since its launch in 2014, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule has seen a gradual increase in participation year on year. The impact of COVID-19 and related shutdowns saw participation fall sharply in 2020. Though it increased 2021, the national target of 41% participation was not reached in 2021-2022, with the total (35.4%) more than three percent below 2018 participation rates.

In an opinion segment, Australian Health Journal spoke with Abano Healthcare Group Clinical Director, Dr Fred Calavassy, with over 30 years of clinical experience, about his observations of the Child Dental Benefits Scheme ways to increasing participation rates.

Generosity of spirit in teaching

The Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence is considered one of the most prestigious awards in biomedical research in Australia and is highly sought after by researchers in the field.

In 2022, Professor Matthew Kiernan was the recipient of the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence and the associated $50,000 award.

Australian Health Journal spoke with Professor Kiernan to hear about his journey in medicine and science to try and uncover and understand diseases and his generosity of spirit to pass on what he has learnt. 

Smart technology in wound care

Throughout her journey around wound care, Santosh Kaur was frustrated to see the simple gaps in wound care resulting in negative patient outcomes. Santosh is the founder of SmartHeal which launched in 2020.

SmartHeal replaces the nurses taking cumbersome manual measurements and manual sharing of important wound data with a no touch technique. It aims for healthcare professionals to have live remote access to wound data, make wound assessments and assist with speech to text notes thus saving time, cost and people. SmartHeal also aims to assist healthcare professionals in providing optimum wound care by analysing the wound tissue for infection, moisture and providing suggestions for suitable dressing.

Belonging in a medical device company

Edith de Boer is the HR Director for Zimmer Biomet in Australia and New Zealand. Her career originally was in telecommunications and consulting in Europe. After leaving The Netherlands, Edith worked into the Australian medical research industry, before moving into a human resources role at Zimmer Biomet. Edith spoke to Australian Health Journal about her role and the organisation.

Jack Lancaster, Evolution Surgical

Continuing the Australian Health Journal, People In Health Care series is Jack Lancaster, the CEO of Evolution Surgical, an Australian owned company established in 2014, specialising in spinal fusion implants and custom instrumentation.

Jack talks about how the company works closely with surgeons to design custom solutions manufactured to surgical requirements, and ultimately, to the benefit of the Australia patient.

The Northernmost Pharmacist in Australia

Carli Berrill is a Co-Owner and Pharmacist of two pharmacies in Far North Queensland, including one on Thursday Island in Torres Strait, which is the most northern pharmacy in Australia.

Her role with the Thursday Island Pharmacy is to provide essential health and pharmacy services to 15 communities, including remote islands south of Papua New Guinea. The role for the community is the important ‘constant’ in being a trusted and familiar healthcare professional.

Caring for community

With a passion for helping people, Carina Fernandes in her final year at Western Sydney University received accolades as a nursing student. Now a recent graduate, having completed her Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced) degree, and recognised as an Emerging Nurse Leader 2021 by the Australian College of Nursing, Carina has her sights set on her new role in healthcare, at the same time keeping sustainability top of mind.

Outstanding Achievement
George Faithfull

George has been in the medical device industry in a variety of roles for over 35 years including Sales, Marketing, Business Development, General Management, R&D, Clinical, Regulatory and Government Affairs. He has worked for Stryker in Australia, USA and across Asia.

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