2009 RRCBP GRADUATES
RICHARD CHRISTENSEN, NORTHERN NSW LHD
Rural Allied Health: A Cross Sectional Survey on the use of evidence in day to day clinical practice
Richard has worked in health for 25 years, the majority of them in a rural Area Health service. His experience is primarily in physiotherapy and allied health roles. His interest lies in maximising effectiveness of health care delivery for patients, through the use of evidence, whether through clinical interventions, or through system and process implementation.
KAY COPE, HNELHD
Perceptions of Chronic Disease Self Management in rural primary health care and implications for routine clinical practice: a mixed methods study
Kay has worked in NSW Health since 1993 in health promotion, communication and practice development roles with an emphasis on health education. Her most recent practice development role has included several chronic disease self management projects, peer support and practice redesign.
One Page Summary Full Report Appendices
JEAN CLULOW, WNSWLHD
Drug and Alcohol Educational Interventions for Pregnant Women in a Rural Setting: A Randomized Trial
Jean has worked in health for almost 40 years, initially as a Registered Nurse and Midwife and then commenced in Drug and Alcohol services in Western NSWLHD in Bathurst, and now in the Orange region. Jean also has experiences in Infection Control, Immunization and Staff Health, Occupational Health & Safety and provided supportive, guidance for staff members returning safely to work.
Jean enjoys working with nurses and midwives to educate, support and provide clinical expertise when working with complex drug and alcohol presentations in both the acute care and maternity settings. Jean provides clinical advice and support for the D&A Consultation Liaison Service in Orange & Region and participates within the Senior Clinical Team to support the development of clinical governance for the Drug & Alcohol Service.
STEPHEN DOWNS, MNCLHD
Balance and discharge destination outcomes for patients referred to physiotherapy at Bellingen and Macksville Hospitals
Stephen is a physiotherapist working for the Transitional Aged Care Service in the Bellingen and Nambucca areas. He is particularly interested in falls prevention and helping older people to remain living independently in the community. Stephen has previously worked for the Coffs Harbour aged care assessment team.
One Page Summary Full Report Publication
TIAHNA FRANKS, NNSWLHD
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training Evaluation
Tiahna is an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse working at Lismore Base Hospital and has also recently been employed as one of the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer's for Lismore Base Hospital. She is a participant in the Rural Research Capacity Building Program which has assisted to fund this research project.
KAREN GORZYNSKA, NORTH COAST CANCER INSTITUTE
The experience of men having androgen deprivation therapy for early stage prostate cancer in a regional setting
Karen is a Clinical Nurse Consultant working as a Cancer Care Coordinator at the North Coast Cancer Institute at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus.
DENISE HUGHES, NNSWLHD
Give Smokes the Flick - A qualitative evaluation of two quit smoking resources for Aboriginal pregnant women
Denise is a Health Promotion Research Officer working at the Population Health, Planning and Performance Directorate in Lismore. She has worked for NSW Health for approximately 15 years working her way up from administration/data entry to her current position. Denise has an interest in Aboriginal Health, but is very lucky to work on a variety of projects including Equity, Resilience, Tobacco, Alcohol, Physical Activity and Nutrition.
ELIZABETH MITCHELL, MLHD
Efficacy of leisure intervention groups in rehabilitation of people with an Aquired Brain Injury
Elizabeth currently works as a Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Coordinator with the South West Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service. Prior to becoming a Physiotherapist she worked in a variety of occupations, including agriculture and adult education. She is a participant in the Rural Research Capacity Building Program which has assisted to fund this project.
One Page Summary Full Report Publication
HELEN NIXON, MNCLHD
"Don't mention the D word": Dementia and driving retirement in rural NSW, a qualitative case series.
Helen is an occupational therapist working in an aged care assessment team based in Coffs Harbour. Helen became interested in driving and dementia after completing post graduate training in occupational therapy driving assessment and rehabilitation. Helen holds a masters degree in health science (occupational therapy).
One Page Summary Full Report Poster
IDONA POWELL, NNSWLHD
Can you see me? Experiences of night shift nurses in regional public hospitals: A qualitative case study
Dona Powell is an Afterhours Nurse Manager at Grafton Hospital. Prior to working at Grafton, Dona worked in western NSW in a variety of management, teaching, research and nursing positions. Dona's qualifications include Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Nursing and Master's in Health Science Management. Dona has a long term interest in nursing workforce matters.
Dona is the Best Report Award winner for 2009 Candidates.
One Page Summary Full Report Publication
BUCK REED, AMBULANCE NSW
Ambulance utilisation in serious health emergencies in rural health populations - measuring unmet need
Buck Reed is a paramedic based in Boggabri in rural northwestern NSW, and Rural Project Officer for the Ambulance Service of NSW. Buck is the first paramedic accepted to the Rural Research Capacity Building Program. Buck is undertaking completing a masters degree at UNE in Health Management and has research interests in rural ambulance models of care and human behaviour in health emergencies.
One Page Summary Full Report Publication
ELIZABETH RUSSELL, CSU WAGGA WAGGA NSW
Smile Mum Study : Evaluation of 'Smile Mum'- a program to improve the oral health of pregnant women and reduce the risk of oral disease for them and their child.
Elizabeth has worked for most of her career in the area of public dental health as both a Dental Therapist and a Dental Hygienist. Her main contribution has been in providing dental treatment and targeted oral health programs to children of the rural area of Deniliquin. Her more recent work has involved oral health preventative and treatment strategies for at risk pregnant women and their families, further developed by the opportunities provided in the RRCPB. She has recently taken up a position at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga as a lecturer into the Bachelor of Oral Health Science.
ESHER TOWNSEND, HNELHD
Evaluation of the NSW Indigenous Diabetic Foot Program for Health Workers whose primary role is with Aboriginal People in the Lower Mid North Coast
Esher emigrated to Australia in 2006 to set up a podiatry department at Aged Care & Rehabilitation Services in Taree after graduating from Southampton University in the UK. The last five and a half years has seen her focus on woundcare and the high risk foot. She has now left the HNE LHD to concnetrate on her private practice.
JULLIE WILLIAMS, HNELHD
What are the qualitative experiences of clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder; who have completed the Manning Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 'Moving Forward' Stage 1 Program in the last two to five years?
Jullie Williams is a Registered Nurse - Clinical Nurse Consultant. Working in NSW Health for many years, both in Psychiatric and General Nursing settings, now focussed on Community Mental Health. Interests in Quality Care, Client Advocacy, Indigenous Mental Health & Wellbeing, Professional Aspects of Nursing Practice. HETI Research scholarship is a 'career' highlight.
ANNMAREE WILSON, ISLHD
Don't you know how you just made me feel? Patient's experience isolated in contact precautions for MRSA in a regional setting - A qualitative study
Annmaree is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in the Infection Management and Control Service and based in the Shoalhaven Hospital on the NSW south coast. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Health Science Nursing and Graduate Diploma Clinical Practice in Infection Control. Annmaree is a passionate patient advocate, and this project provided the opportunity to identify issues and improve the patients experience in isolation.