Pre-conference workshop

Wednesday May 1st 2024

Joint meeting with VPCNPC and CNSA SPN

10:30am – 11:00am  |  Registration

11:00am – 11:05am  | Welcome

11:05am – 12:00pm
Interventional techniques for pain management and other oncological emergencies
Dr Richard Ussher, Director of Radiology Grampians Health

12:00pm – 12:45pm  |  Lunch

12:45pm – 1:45pm
Practicing in an environment of recreational substances – Addiction and pain management
Dr Adam Straub Addiction Medicine Specialist

1:45pm – 2:45pm
Long term use of opioids in cancer pain – Implications and Complications
Dr Adam Straub Addiction Medicine Specialist

2:45pm – 3:15pm  | Afternoon tea

3:15pm – 4:10pm
Future directions of Oncology treatments for Metastatic cancers
Dr Wasek Faisal, Medical Oncologist, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre

4:10pm – 4:30pm
Future directions of oncology nursing
Ms Suzanne Bartlett, Nurse Practitioner Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Center

4.30pm – 4.55pm
Role of Abstral and titration protocol.  
Jennifer Pena, Hospital and Specialist Representative: Oncology and Palliative Care

4:55pm – 5:00pm | Evaluations and close

5:00 – 6:00pm
VPCNP collaborative meeting – Pepperberry room

5:00 – 6:00pm
Focus group with Latrobe University on Co- Design research

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PROGRAM

Day One, Thursday 2nd May 2024

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9:10am – 10:30am

Inequalities and Initiatives for Aging Populations

9:10am – 9:55am:
Ageism in Cancer Care
Professor Meinier Krishnasamy, University of Melbourne

9:55am – 10:30am
Using Technology to Engage In Dementia Care.
Dr Tanya Petrovich, Business Innovation Manager, Centre for Dementia Learning, Dementia Australia

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10:30am – 11:00am  |  Morning Tea

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11:00am – 1:00pm

Inequalities and Initiatives for Aging Populations

11:00am – 11:30am
Equitable and meaningful access to palliative Care on the Dementia/Frailty illness trajectory.
Steven Pitman, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

11:30am – 12:00pm
Elder abuse  |  Dr Supriya Rama Krishnan, Gerontologist, Grampians Health

12:00pm – 12:30pm
Frailty and EOLC/COVID
Dr Yih Harng Chong Gerontologist, Grampians Health

12:30pm – 1:00pm
Panel discussion  |  Prof Krishnasamy, Dr Petrovich, Dr Rama Krishnan, Dr Chong and Mr Pitman

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1:00pm – 2:00pm  |  Lunch

Optional  |  Focus group with Latrobe University on Co- Design research

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2:00pm – 4:45pm

Psychosocial and Allied Health Dimensions in Palliative Care

2:00pm – 3:00pm
Trauma informed and culturally sensitive practice in palliative care
Tanya Sherritt Senior Clinical Psychologist GH, Emma Leehane Aboriginal hospital Liaison

3:00pm – 3:15pm  |  Afternoon tea

3:15pm – 4:00pm
Beyond the RoHo cushion
Kelsey Morcombe Senior Occupational Therapist Grampians Health , Renee Jenkins Occupational Therapist GH

4:00pm – 4.45pm
Therapeutic Music  |  Peter Roberts

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4:45pm – 5:00pm

Summary & Close of Day One
Dr Russell Pearce, Conference MC, Palliative Care Physician GRPCT)

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6:15pm – 7:00pm  | Pre dinner drinks and nibbles

7:00pm till late  | Dinner
Theme – Back to the Future

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Day Two, Friday 3rd May 2024

7:45am – 8:30am

Pre conference sessions
♦ Therapeutic music
♦ PainChek
♦ Virtual reality with Dementia Australia
♦ Meditation

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8:45am – 9:00am

Welcome to day Two and Acknowledgement of Country
Dr Russell Pearce, Conference MC, Palliative Care Physician GRPCT

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9:00am – 10:00am

Looking at the Past to Lead us into Tomorrow
♦ Dr David Brumley
♦ Maree Kewish, NUM Gandarra
♦ Violet Platt, CEO PCV
♦ Dr Bharathy Gunasekaran, Clinical Director Anam Cara House Geelong
♦ Regina Kendall NP, Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team

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10:00am – 10:30am  |  Morning Tea

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10:30am – 12:15pm

Digital Horizons in Palliative Care

10:30 – 11:15pm
Technology use in Health Care
Assoc. Professor Simon Egerton, LaTrobe University, Dr. Kan Yu, La Trobe University

11:15am – 12:15pm
What might the future hold? Digital health’s impact on Palliative Care
Assoc. Professor Christopher Pearce. Director of Research, Outcome Health. Ass Professor of Health Informatics, University of Melbourne.

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12:15pm – 12:55pm
Lunch

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12:55pm – 2:40pm

Future innovations and trends

12:55pm – 1:45pm
Victorian Virtual ED
Dr Mihaela Marginean, Northern Hospital

1.50pm – 2:40pm
Organ donation and VAD
Larna Woodyatt, Nurse Donation Specialist, Organ and Tissue Donation

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2:40pm – 3:00pm  |  Afternoon tea

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3.00pm – 4:00pm

After death care and burial options  |  Annie DeJong, CEO Ballarat Cemeteries

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4:00pm – 4:20pm

Announcement of prize winners
Save the date 2026

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4:20pm – 4:30pm  |  Conference Thanks & Close

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Featuring

Dr Rick Ussher

Dr Rick Ussher completed his Radiology training in Melbourne. On completion of his training Rick spent a further year at the Royal Children’s Hospital gaining advanced training in Paediatric Radiology. After this he completed further advanced Fellowship training at the Austin Hospital in Interventional Radiology and at the Canberra Hospital in MRI and Musculoskeletal Radiology. Rick has a special interest in Interventional Pain Management and has completed a Masters of Medicine in Pain Management through the University of Sydney. Rick is a Diagnostic & Interventional Radiologist at Grampians Health and Sovereign Radiology.

Dr Adam Straub

Adam Straub, Addiction Medicine and General Medicine Physician at Grampians Health, graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2008 and focused his early career in critical care medicine. After working with Victoria Police and spending many years working in Emergency Departments, Adam developed a great interest in Addiction Medicine, identifying a patient group that would benefit from a more comprehensive model of care. Through this, Adam is able to interact with a broad patient group and support their care throughout the hospital. He is a strong advocate for opioid agonist therapy and harm minimisation education. Adam completed advanced training in Addiction Medicine and General Medicine through St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Ballarat Health Services. Adam is actively involved in continuous professional development and medical education, supporting medical students and colleagues across all disciplines of medicine, nursing and pharmacotherapy care.

Dr Wasek Faisal

Dr Wasek Faisal is a senior Medical Oncologist and a mid-career Clinical Researcher in the field of Medical Oncology and Tumour Immunology. He is a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Physicians & Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and completed his tumor immunology research thesis at the University of Nottingham, UK prior to completing his advanced training in Oncology in Australia. He is the current Clinical Director of Grampians Integrated Cancer Services as well as being the Clinical Lead and Chair of the Thoracic Tumour Stream at the Grampians Health. Dr Faisal has been a Principal Investigator for 25 international multicenter phase II & III Randomized Clinical Trials in lung cancer to date, investigating novel therapies including immunotherapy and drug conjugates, as well as being sub-investigator for well over 50 clinical trials in oncology. He is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the La Trobe University, Melbourne. He also has research collaboration with several translational research groups at Monash & Federation University. He has received competitive educational and research grants in excess of 5-million AUD, including receiving the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia (TOGA) Inspirational Research Grant (2023), Victorian Cancer Agency Doctoral Research grant (2021), Ballarat Health Services (BHS) Cancer Research Grant (2019) & Quality & Innovation Award for Lung Cancer Redesign Project at BHS (2018). He is currently co-supervising 1 PhD student through La Trobe University. Dr Faisal has 15 published papers, 8 manuscripts currently in preparation and multiple published abstracts and conference proceedings (h-index 6, i-index 4). Dr Faisal has held several leadership positions including being the current Co-chair of Registry-based RCT Steering Committee at RTN-Vic, member of Strategic Program Steering Committee at VCCC and member of the Expert Advisory Committee at Lung Foundation Australia. He is also member of several national and international oncology societies and collaborative networks including TOGA, AGITG, CTA, IASLC, MOGA and ASCO.

Ms Suzanne Bartlett

Sue works as an Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Grampians Health Ballarat.

She has worked in various clinical, coordinator and project management roles in metropolitan, regional and rural centres which has allowed her to develop many varied skills and knowledge in leadership and management, quality and risk management, consumer involvement, education, practice development and research.

She completed her Graduate Certificate in Cancer & Palliative Care in 2008 and Master of Advanced Nursing Practice – Nurse Practitioner in Medical Oncology at the University of Melbourne in 2018.

Sue is a current board director and congress co-director of Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) – the peak professional body for over 1900 cancer nurses across Australia as well as the current secretary of the CNSA Cancer Nurse Practitioner Specialist Practice Network.

Sue has been involved in multiple nurse led service provisions including establishing and implementing the Symptom & Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) at Grampians Health Ballarat along with developing and rolling out an immunotherapy patient alert card used throughout regional Victoria.

Sue is passionate about regional and rural health provision and ensuring equitable patient access to specialised cancer care for regional and rural patients.

Professor Meinier Krishnasamy (FAAN)

Professor Meinier Krishnasamy (FAAN) is Professor of Cancer Nursing in the Department of Nursing at the University of Melbourne; Honorary Professor in the Department of Health Services Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Chair, and Research and Education Lead for Nursing for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance. Her research focuses on equitable access to cancer supportive care particularly for older adults with cancer and people with poor prognosis cancers. She has secured AUD$35m as CI and co-CI in competitive research funds and has authored 116 publications.

Dr Tanya Petrovich

Dr Tanya Petrovich is Business Innovation Manager, Dementia Australia.

Tanya completed studies Genetics at the University of Melbourne and Post-Doctoral studies at the Marie Curie Research Institute, UK. She has spent many years teaching in the fields of Science, and Health Science. She joined Dementia Australia in 2008.

Tanya leads the team in applying innovations in technology to improve the services that support the lives of people living with dementia. In 2013 the Virtual Dementia Experience was released and was the first VR experience to be used in Dementia Care Education.

More recently in 2016 EDIE- Educational Dementia Immersive Experience was released for use on the Oculus Gear VR. This mobile technology has opened the opportunity to have these virtual experiences available to people not only in Australia but worldwide. EDIE is now delivered in Europe, Canada and New Zealand. Since then the team has developed other VR experiences and including TED the artificially intelligent Avatar living with dementia. Ted is designed to teach good communication skills for anyone who supports a person living with Dementia. Most recently in 2022 we released BrainTrack an App to help self-monitor cognitive health and encourage help seeking. BrainTrack recently won the Google 2023 award for Best App for Good.

Steven Pitman

Steven Pitman is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner with Yarrawonga and NCN Health. Steven has completed a Masters of Palliative Care and Masters of Nurse Practitioner through Flinders University. Steven has had over 20 years experience working in palliative care and his special interests include aged care, communication and fostering practical wisdom in palliative care.

Dr Supriya Rama Krishnan

Dr Supriya Rama Krishnan is a Geriatrician who works in public hospitals and private practice. In addition to her geriatric training, she has completed the Masters of Forensic Medicine and has gained experience working in the field of clinical forensic medicine.

Dr Yih Harng Chong

Dr Yih Harng Chong is a New Zealand geriatrician now based in Ballarat with Grampians Health. He has diverse interests within the field of geriatric medicine, reflected in his involvement with subacute care, acute geriatric medicine, and CDAMS clinic. He is passionate with teaching from all levels of undergraduate to advanced trainee in clinical medicine. Yih Harng has previously held positions as honorary senior lecturer with New Zealand universities, and attained his PhD with the University of Otago. He is keen to collaborate widely in any research and teaching opportunities, and immerse himself within the Victorian communities.

Tanya Sherritt

Tanya Sherritt has worked at Grampians Health for 19 years commencing with Grampians Mental Health Services in 2005 prior to her current role with the Grampians Health Psychology Department which she commenced in 2012. She has worked across the areas of forensic mental health, child protection and early intervention, private practice and public health since the completion of her training. Tanya has worked across a range of programs at Grampians Health Ballarat including Rehabilitation, Pain Management and Oncology. She currently works as the Senior Clinical Psychologist with the Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team (GRPCT) and the Healthy Weight Management Program.

Emma Leehane

Hi, my name is Emma Leehane.

I am a proud Yorta Yorta woman. A Ballarat girl born and bred. I am passionate about my culture and my people. Previously, to this role I was a First Nation educator in museums and a Primary School Teacher for 11 years.

Working in the healthcare system, has provided me the opportunity to assist in improving the pathways of health for First Nation people and assist staff to provide culturally safe and effective clinical care for First Nation people. I strongly believe that Reconciliation is the key foundation for a better future. Together we can build relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and First Nation peoples.

Kelsey Morcombe

Kelsey is a senior occupational therapist at Grampians Health Ballarat, working across the acute site and Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC). Kelsey has a Master of Occupational Therapy Practice and a decade of experience as a clinician, in the public and private sector. In 2022, Kelsey completed a Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care at Flinders University after developing a special interest in oncology and palliative care.

Kelsey was drawn to palliative care when her Pa was diagnosed with cancer. His symptoms significantly impacted his function, and stopped him from being at home and doing what he wanted. This sparked her passion for supporting people to remain at home for as long as they can, and helped her understand the role OT can play in maintaining participation and dignity at the end of life.

Kelsey has a special interest in palliative rehabilitation, supporting people to maintain function and independence for as long as possible. She is a strong advocate for allied health in palliative care, and has collaboratively developed a range of student, clinician and consumer resources. In her current senior clinician role, her love of learning led to the opportunity to facilitate the learning platform for junior OT’s at Grampians Health Ballarat. In July this year, she will commence as the Deputy Manager Occupational Therapy Junior Workforce.

Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys creating masterpieces in the kitchen, keeping active at the gym, and spending time with her young family and fur baby.

Renee Jenkins

Renee has worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 10 years in the Grampians Region. Renee has worked in the public health system across acute, rehabilitation and community settings.

Renee has a passion for Animal Assisted Therapy, travelling to America in 2009 and South America in 2014, gaining practical experience in training assistance dogs and using dogs as a therapeutic modality. Renee experienced the amazing benefits that animals provided to children with Autism and people with disabilities sparking further study in the area.

In 2016 Renee completed a post grad Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy. Renee developed her business, Dogbond Occupational Therapy Services in 2017, working with her therapy dog, Macey, a black labrador for people with disabilities and mental health conditions through the NDIS.

Renee is passionate about mental health awareness and nervous system regulation and completed a 200hr yoga teacher training in 2020.

Since becoming a mother and going through the experience of losing a loved one, Renee has transitioned into the area of Palliative Care, in which she is tying all of her skills together to provide a holistic approach to OT in the palliative care setting.

Peter Roberts

Peter Roberts (www.robertsmusic.net) has worked as a specialist, palliative care musician for over 25 years.

His form of musical care within end-of-life settings was the subject of research by Deakin University. The final report entitled Relief of Suffering at the End of Life, was jointly presented by Peter and Em.Professor Helen Cox (Deakin) at The Mayo Clinic Spiritual Research Conference in the USA,

His personal story of transitioning mid-life from a furniture retailer into a palliative care musician was the subject of an ABC TV Australian Story documentary called Heaven Sent, and more recently, From Music into Silence, a full-length documentary exploring Peter’s journey of the heart into this field, was shown in cinemas around Australia and in Oregon USA.

Peter lives in Geelong, and he is currently focused on manufacturing therapeutic, musical instruments called Reverie harps. These small, beautiful instruments are now being used within care settings across Australia and overseas.

During his presentation, Peter will demonstrate his approach to playing at the bedside, share personal stories, and explain how his Reverie harps can be used….by anyone.

Violet Platt

Violet is a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in cancer and palliative care nursing. Working in England, the Isle of Man, and Australia in a variety of settings including hospital, hospice, and the community. Violet has a Master’s in Nursing Research, an Executive Master of Business Administration, and is currently undertaking a PhD in Palliative Care for people experiencing homelessness. In 2016 Violet received a Lifetime Achievement award from the WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards in recognition of her contributions to cancer and palliative care nursing.

Dr Bharathy Gunasekaran

Bharathy is a palliative care physician at Grampians Health. She is also the clinical director at Anam Cara House Geelong, a new purpose-built palliative care facility providing person-centred care in a home-like environment. Bharathy completed a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (Hons) and Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Melbourne. She is passionate about research and medical education. Bharathy recently completed her Graduate Diploma in Clinical Education with the University of Melbourne. She is an Affiliate Senior Lecturer at Deakin University and a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Palliative Medicine Curriculum Review Group.

Assoc. Professor Simon Egerton

Simon Egerton is an Associate Professor at La Trobe University Australia and directs the Technology Innovation Lab and the Rural Digital Health Research Group at the Bendigo campus. He specialises in applying technology, Internet of Things and Robotics to improve health and wellbeing outcomes in rural and regional communities through the co-design of digital health research. A notable recent contribution of his was the “Driving digital transformation of regional aged care through the innovation corridor: An Internet of Medical Things Aged Care Service Model” a project funded by Regional Development Victoria which extended medical services into the homes of those at risk of hospitalization with chronic disease. The project developed IoT Technology to deliver services in rural areas without traditional mobile phone and WiFI coverage and was an Australian first. Simon is co-founder and director of the Creative Science Foundation (CSf), a non-profit foundation dedicated to exploring the use of science fiction as a means to motivate and direct research into new technologies. The recent Creative Robotix project from CSf is currently being adopted into schools across the region and further afield.

Dr. Kan Yu

Dr. Kan Yu, a lecturer at La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus, specializes in Computer Science and IT. With a Ph.D. from Malardalen University, Sweden, and a rich background in both academia and industry, Dr. Yu brings a unique blend of expertise to the healthcare domain.

His research focuses on the intersection of wireless systems and cyber-physical systems, demonstrating a keen interest in applying these technologies to healthcare. An active member of the IEEE Standards Association P1451.5p Working Group, he contributes significantly to the development of radio frequency channel specifications. Dr. Yu’s editorial roles, including his work for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, highlight his commitment to advancing the field of industrial cyber-physical systems. His involvement in special sessions at major IEEE conferences, such as ICPS and INDIN, emphasizes his leadership in exploring the applications and challenges of wireless networks and fog computing in industrial settings, with implications for healthcare technologies.

His achievements are further underscored by accolades like the best paper award at the International Conference on Information Technology and grants from prestigious institutions like the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Science and Ericsson.

Assoc. Professor Christopher Pearce

A/Prof Pearce is a rural generalist who has extensively researched computers in healthcare, with a focus on the interactions and useability. He is an invited speaker both here and overseas, and the author of over 100 academic articles. As director of the AURORA Primary Care Research Institute, his role with Outcome Health is to work on data quality and use of Australia’s largest repository of general practice data. He is pioneering the use of AI in the primary care setting.

 

Dr Miki Marginean

Dr Miki Marginean is a senior Emergency Physician and the lead for Palliative Care in the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at the Northern Hospital.

Miki has an avid interest in aged care and is trying to make a difference in the management of geriatric patients in the challenging environment of the Emergency Department.

This interest is also based on personal reasons as she looked after her father who suffered of a terminal illness and was disabled in the last years of his life.

She worked many years in rural Victoria and Queensland and understands the difficulties people have accessing health services.

Larna Woodyatt

Larna Woodyatt is a Donation Specialist Nurse at Grampians Health Ballarat and DonateLife Victoria. For over eight years, Larna has provided clinical and education services to her Health Service colleagues to ensure the best possible care for potential organ and tissue donors and their families. She has a background in Intensive Care Nursing and is passionate about choice at end-of-life.

 

Annie De Jong

Annie is currently the CEO of Ballarat Cemeteries. For the last 7 years, Annie has had the honour of caring for those no longer physically with us and creating beautiful botanical memorial places for people to visit.

Active in the broader community, Annie is currently an executive member of the Ballarat neighbourhood houses and a member of the Compassionate Cities Steering Committee.

Annie has been appointed the President of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Association of Victoria (CCAV).

Annie has over 23 years in Local Government, with Senior Executive level experience within diverse leadership roles.

Annie enjoys living in regional Victoria (Ballarat) and enjoys camping, eating out and special friendships.