REPRESENTING THE PROFESSION THAT IMPACTS INDIVIDUAL LIVES AND COMMUNITIES
With
Michelle Oliver,
Chief Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Australia
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Adelaide | November 2025
Michelle Oliver is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with nearly two decades of leadership and clinical expertise across the mental health, homelessness, and disability sectors. She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of South Australia and is a registered practitioner with AHPRA.
As the Chief Occupational Therapist at Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), she leads national strategies to advance clinical excellence, drive workforce development, and champion sector-wide advocacy. Her leadership is crucial in shaping OTA’s influence within the health and disability systems.
Prior to her current role, Michelle served as the Principal Occupational Therapist at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, gaining a deep understanding of complex care environments. She is a recipient of a SA Health award for her commitment to consumer, carer, and community participation, and is a public advocate for evidence-based practice and high-quality care.
Source: Supplied
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Most Valuable Women in Leadership 2020
ANDHealth Co-Founder and Managing Director Bronwyn Le Grice pioneered the unique non-profit industry-led model supporting Australian digital health companies navigate the commercialisation path to institutional investment and international market entry.
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Student nurse placements in primary health care
With an urgent need to manage increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and a rapidly-ageing primary health care nurse workforce, Australia desperately needs more primary health care nurses to enter the workforce before the current generation retires and cannot pass on its skills.
Most nurses start their career in a hospital. Historically, it was difficult for universities and tertiary education providers to arrange placements for student nurses in primary health care. However, the APNA Student Nurse Placement Program provides student nurses with a foot in the door to a career in vibrant primary health care settings such as general practice or community health to perform supervised activities.
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Future of minimally invasive surgery
Macquarie University Hospital is the first hospital in Australia to have three robotic surgical systems. It remains the busiest centre for robotic urology in New South Wales and has rapidly growing programs in other areas. What is behind the Hospital’s success?
Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, CEO of Macquarie University Hospital, says that the story of robotics at the Hospital is driven by its academic health sciences identity.
