Three roles, one passion

19 Sep 2023

What has been your professional journey so far?

Before becoming a nurse, I was an occupational health and safety advisor in the resources industry.

I started at St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital when I was studying my enrolled to registered nurse conversion. I was incredibly grateful for the support my manager gave me as I completed my studies, and throughout my participation in the Hospital’s year-long graduate program for registered nurses. 

What are your roles in the hospital, currently?

I hold three roles, which are unique to each other, but the common underlying drive is my love of babies and kids.

The roles are:

1. Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer in our Moort Boodjari Mia service
   
   
2. Registered nurse, working casual shifts in paediatrics; and
   
   
3. Aboriginal Research Coordinator, in our Research Department (Medical Services), one day per week.

Tell us about Moort Boodjari Mia?

Moort Boojari Mia (which means Family Pregnancy House, in Noongar language) helps women and pregnant women with Aboriginal babies achieve good health outcomes for themselves and their baby. We aim to provide a culturally safe service for our mums, bubs and their loved ones.

When I come to work at Moort Boodjari Mia it is always lovely to see new babies. It is also an absolute privilege to work with a team of such highly skilled and knowledgeable midwives. As Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer, I work with a midwife in our antenatal clinic and offer cultural support to our clients. A typical day can include visits to birth suite, the maternity ward, and we visit clients in their homes too.

What do you do as Aboriginal Research Coordinator?

Each of my roles at St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital allow me to nurture and grow my connection with families and the community.

As Aboriginal Research Coordinator much of my focus is on helping to create a culturally safe and supportive environment, so that St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital can lead a growing body of research on Aboriginal health.

This involves a lot of collaboration with community and forming partnerships that will help our hospital identify, address and improve the health care we provide for Aboriginal people. 

I love being able to use my skills (clinical and non-clinical) across the different roles I have at the hospital. 

Tell us about an interesting project you are working on?

At Moort Boodjari Mia we are partnered with Murdoch University’s Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity on a pilot program, Baby Coming You Ready. It is a culturally appropriate web-based mobile application used for perinatal mental health assessment.  

What is most rewarding in your career?

Connection with families. I love to be part of the journey during the antenatal period, the birth of their baby and then for a period postnatal. I enjoy the relationships formed and seeing families come back to our service for their next pregnancy.