July 31, 2024As we reach the halfway point of season two of Northern Health’s podcast, Visiting Hours, we thought we’d take the opportunity to look back and enjoy the special moments captured as we visited with members of our Northern Health family. As always, episodes are a balance of celebrating the amazing things being accomplished in the sphere of work, an insight into how our staff live outside of that sphere, and a prescribed dose of fun.
Listened to in over 45 countries, the podcast navigates the very real themes of finding love, dealing with loss and building resilience, guiding the listener through highs and lows into a safe harbour of positive affirmation.
We invite you to take a voyage with us back through the early stops in season 2
Episode 1 – Wendy Nicol, Northern Health’s Operations Manager of Support Services, discussed her vision for the department, shared openly about her battle with the BRCA2 gene, but drew the line at singing Disney songs… in public.
Episode 2 – Northern Health’s Spiritual Care Coordinator, Natalia Dewiyani, talked about the importance of holding a space for patients to express their true selves, overcoming cancer one smile at a time, and the spicy secret weapon she never leaves home without.
Episode 3 – Assoc. Prof. Wanda Stelmach shared her insights on the importance of nurturing hobbies, skills and interests outside of work, her gutsy navigation of a heavily male dominated field with graceful aplomb, and her special connection with Thailand.
Episode 4 – Fidel Touma, Consultant General Surgeon at Northern Health. A proud father and smitten husband, Fidel shared candidly about leaving his life behind in Syria and starting over in Australia. He talked about the importance of treating patients with respect, and the kindness shown to him by Northern Health staff as he navigated new frontiers.
Episode 5 – Fiona Jeal, Program Manager with Northern Health’s Mental Health Division, a firm believer in harnessing her team’s strengths, talked about the importance of having the right people offering the best care. She celebrates the quiet achievers, brings class to the campsite, and happily switches hats between captain and pirate.
Episode 6 – Jacque Dulson from Northern Health’s Fertility Clinic, shared the highs and lows of working in fertility and the importance open communication as a pathway to resilience. She revealed her true passion when it comes to movies, her rediscovery of the gym, and how a Hungry Jack’s burger wrapper changed her life forever.
Episode 7 – Debra Bourne, Northern Health Chief Operating Officer, has never lost her love of nursing and midwifery. She celebrates the positive impact nurses and midwives have on their patients. She spoke about the importance of switching off outside of work, despite the temptation of a home office, delved into her love of opera and revealed how a gift from her son led to an encounter with the King.
Episode 8 – Adj. Assoc. Prof. Tony McGillion, Northern Health’s Divisional Director of Education and Training explored the role of education in a health setting and beyond, discussed the benefits of mentorship from both sides of the coin and spoke about just when you hit ‘the wall’ on a long-distance run.
Episode 9 – Gordon Dennis, Northern Health Consumer Advisor, is a retired Artificer Sergeant Major in the Australian Army. Gordon draws on his years of experience, to pass on what he knows for the benefit of others. He shared on the importance of building a good reputation, dealing with loss and loneliness and how he’s come full circle by building model replicas of the locomotives he worked on as an apprentice.
Episode 10 – It’s not often you have the privilege to sit and chat with someone that’s 104 years young. Betty Soraghan, Resident Dianella Village Kilmore, joined by her daughter Anne, recalled getting all done up for the Saturday night dances, horse-riding with no bridle in sight and how important having the Kilmore District Hospital is for the community.
Episode 11 – Prof. Shekhar Kumta, Academic Lead, Department of Surgery, identified Northern Health as the perfect place to build research data sets, he revealed how your passions and hobbies can actually free up your mind enabling you to tackle work in new and creative ways.
Steve Carnell the Visiting Hours host commented, “Our Northern Health family are such an incredible bunch of humans, and It’s been a great privilege to have the opportunity to share their stories with the world.”
Visiting Hours is available to listen to wherever you get good podcasts.
