Speakers
Confirmed speakers include:
- M. Tish Knobf
- Bettina Arndt
- Professor Moyez Jiwa
- Associate Professor Bruno Giuffrè
- Dr Chris Hayes
- Michael A. Izard
- Professor Stewart Dunn
- Dr Lucy Blunt
- Byeangsang Oh
- Louise Koelmeyer
- Ms Elisabeth Black
- Michelle Peate
- Dr Deborah Prior
- Maree Thomas
- Philippa Clayton
- Alison Szwajcer
- Stacey Cail
- Vivienne O'Callaghan
- Anne Cantor
- Kathy Tucker
- Stacey Cail
- Vivienne Milch
M. Tish Knobf PhD, RN, FAAN, AOCN
American Cancer Society Professor Oncology Nursing
Dr. Knobf is the American Cancer Society Professor of Oncology Nursing at the Yale University School of Nursing (YSN), Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and a member of Yale Cancer Centre. She holds a master's degree from the Yale School of Nursing and a nursing doctorate from University of Pennsylvania. At YSN, she is responsible for the Oncology master's program that prepares Oncology Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists.
Dr Knobf’s clinical practice and research projects involving women with breast cancer has spanned the last three decades. Her research has encompassed the phenomena of weight gain in women with breast cancer on adjuvant therapy, information and support needs of women after treatment, and premature menopause in women with early stage breast cancer. She has extended this work to address the breast cancer experience of women of color and has a community based psycho-educational program focused on healthy eating and physical activity, supported by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Dr. Knobf's other current research targets persistent and late effects of cancer treatment in breast cancer survivors and she is conducting a National Cancer Institute randomized controlled trial of exercise to assess the effect on bone mass, body composition, metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular fitness.
Bettina Arndt
Bettina Arndt is the author of The Sex Diaries – the sensational new book making waves across the country.
It was sex that made Bettina Arndt famous. As one of Australia's first sex therapists and editor of Forum magazine, she spent ten years talking about sex on television and radio. A trained clinical psychologist, she taught medical students, doctors and other professionals and talked endlessly about this fascinating subject to audiences all over Australia and overseas.
In the 1980s, she gave up sex - professionally speaking - and moved onto writing and talking about broader social issues and particularly the changing relationships between men and women.
And in the mid 80's she spent five years in New York writing a syndicated newspaper column and adding two children to her family of three.
She returned to Australia in late 1991 and has since worked as a feature writer for many of our major newspapers and magazines. As a respected social commentator she was invited onto government advisory committees covering issues from family law to childcare and ageing.
She has spoken to audiences all over the world and is renowned for her engaging, humorous and informative talks.
Professor Moyez Jiwa
Professor Moyez Jiwa, qualified as a general practitioner in 1991. He has substantial clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings including rural South West Scotland, rural Nottinghamshire and urban Yorkshire, UK. He now practices in an area of need in outer metropolitan Perth, WA. He was the Director of research and development for a UK NHS hospitals Trust until 2005, serving a population of 500,000 in South Yorkshire.
In 2003 Prof. Jiwa was awarded an MD from the University of Sheffield, UK. His thesis focused on the management of patients with chronic disease with particular reference to the flow of information at the interface between primary and secondary care. Professor Jiwa was appointed the Director of the WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative care in 2006 and is now the Director and inaugural chair of Health Innovation (chronic diseases) at Curtin University of Technology. He is the lead clinician for the primary care, cancer screening and prevention collaborative for the WA State Health Department. Professor Jiwa offers wide clinical experience, substantial academic expertise and is a recognised leader in his field.
His profile is outlined at: http://www.phcris.org.au/roar/profiles.php?elibid=5150
Associate Professor Bruno Giuffrè
Associate Professor Bruno Giuffrè (MBBS DRANZCR) is a Senior Staff Specialist Radiologist at Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. Dr Giuffrè is the Senior Diagnostic Radiologist supervising Breast and Musculoskeletal Imaging and is part of the breast cancer multidisciplinary team at Royal North Shore Hospital.
Dr Giuffrè was involved in the development of protocols and practices for the Breast imaging service at Royal North Shore Hospital and was Chairman and Convenor of Breast Interest Group for 10 years.
He is also one of the radiologists in Northern Sydney and Lower Central Coast Breast Screen Program and was the acting Chairman of the Steering Committee responsible for the planning and then establishment of the Northern Sydney and Lower Central Coast BreastScreen (NS&LCC BS) program 1990-1992. He continues to be a member of NS&LCC BS Steering Committee and the radiologist representative from RNSH.
Currently his research interests lie in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the breast.
Dr Chris Hayes
Director, Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Dr Hayes trained initially in anaesthesia and later as a specialist in pain medicine. He has been director of Hunter Integrated Pain Service (HIPS) since its establishment in 1997.
His clinical and research interests focus on the emergence of a new paradigm in pain medicine and a more integrated implementation of the biopsychosocial model. Key components of the emerging paradigm include personal meaning and lifestyle factors which interweave with traditional medical and cognitive behavioural aspects. The team at HIPS have been exploring the use of language that invites consideration of the significance of personal meaning and story in illness and pain. Story can be considered at various levels and this potentially merges with a spiritual dimension.
Michael A. Izard
MBBS (Lon), FRANZCR, M. Medical Humanities
Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney
Dr Michael Izard began his medical career at The Middlesex Hospital in London. Returning to Australia in 1985, he practised in rural areas prior to training in radiation oncology at Sydney’s St Vincent’s and Westmead Hospital.
Following the award of his Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, he subsequently worked as a Research Fellow at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Canada, prior to moving back to Australia to join the team at the Mater Hospital in 1994.
Dr Izard consults at a number of Sydney hospitals and is actively involved in teaching at undergraduate and post-graduate level. He has a role with the University of Sydney Northern Clinical School as Clinical Senior Lecturer. His special interests include prostate cancer and breast cancer, with a particular interest in brachytherapy, and he is active in Multidisciplinary meetings in these and other areas. He has been published in international journals, including his prostate brachytherapy results. He is involved in Country Clinics, currently at Tamworth and Armidale.
Professor Stewart Dunn
Stewart Dunn is Professor of Medical Psychology at the University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, based at Royal North Shore Hospital. His clinical specialty is the psychological care of cancer patients, their families and medical staff. He has extensive teaching commitments in the USyd Medical Program and chairs the Sydney Medical School Admissions Committee. He also chairs the NSCCH Human Research Ethics Committee.
His research and clinical interests are in psychological aspects of medical illness, doctor-patient and Interprofessional communication. He has over $4.6 million in peer-reviewed grant funding, and 250 journal articles and scientific abstracts. Stewart is Director of the Pam McLean Centre providing communication skills training with a team of 40 professional actors, medical and research staff.
During 2007-09 he delivered over 80 training workshops in NSW, New Zealand, Paris and Singapore, on Open Disclosure after an adverse event. Stewart has received nine research travel awards and five teaching awards including the USyd Faculty of Medicine Outstanding Teaching Award in 2005.
Dr Lucy Blunt
Dr Lucy Blunt is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Sydney, Australia. She has worked with children and families since 1990, including working for the NSW Department of Community Services, the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sydney Children’s Hospital - Randwick and as a therapist in private practice. She is the Principal of Mosman Psychology, a therapy practice in Sydney. Lucy is a regular presenter at preschools and is frequently asked to conduct radio and television interviews on psychologically related matters. She also provides expert input into television shows such as “Make Me a Supermodel”, “The Nest” and “World’s Strictest Parents”.
Lucy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She is married, has two beautiful girls, and a wicked dog called Felix. As a Clinical Psychologist, mum and breast cancer survivor, she knows the fears and concerns in telling children about cancer. From her experience she has written a children’s storybook, “My Mum's Got Cancer” which her daughter Eloise has illustrated.
Byeangsang Oh
Dr Oh is research fellow at the Sydney Cancer Centre RPA & Concord Hospital. Recently completed PhD in Medicine at the University of Sydney. He is actively involved in evidence based complementary medicine research for cancer care.
He is currently involved in acupuncture for breast cancer research as well as Medical Qigong. His long term research aim is developing integrative medicine services at the cancer centre introducing evidence based complementary medicine.
Louise Koelmeyer
Louise Koelmeyer is an occupational therapist with over 19 years of clinical experience in both public and private settings specializing in the areas of breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management in all areas of assessment, education, early detection and treatment. Louise has a strong passion for achieving best practice in lymphoedema management in both the physical and psychosocial aspects of treatment and has supported this by being an active and committed member on several committees as well as attending and presenting papers and posters at conferences. Louise applies her clinical knowledge and experience to assist in answering the many research questions in the area of lymphoedema and breast cancer rehabilitation. She has developed an innovative project in detecting and managing early lymphoedema through the use of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy monitoring women before surgery and during their cancer journey.
Ms Elisabeth Black
RN, RM, BN(Midwifery), PGDipNursSc(Breast Care) Masters of Nursing Science(Oncology) FCN, MRCNA
Elisabeth is the Clinical Services Manager and a Specialist Breast Nurse at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) located at Westmead Hospital and a Fellow of the College of Nursing.
In her current role she is responsible for breast care services at the BCI encompassing screening, diagnostic and treatment programs including the nursing, surgical, medical, counselling and support services of the Institute and is committed to leading activities that will deliver safe clinical and supportive care for breast cancer patients across Sydney West Area Health Service.
She is also a lecturer and tutor for the College of Nursing and an active member of the NSW Breast Cancer Interest Group and the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia, chairing their Breast Special Interest Group.
Michelle Peate
Michelle Peate is a research scientist who is currently co-ordinating a study assessing the use of a decision aid for fertility-related issues of young women diagnosed with early breast cancer as part of her PhD. With a background in bioinformatics, reproductive health and genetics her primary areas of interest in the survivorship issues of oncology patients. She is also working on projects relating to menopausal issues of breast cancer survivors, including information provision about menopausal symptoms and assessing an intervention for sexual dysfunction. Other research contributions have also included working with patients who are at elevated risk of cancer who are undergoing screening procedures and with patients who are considering genetic testing. Ms Peate is based at the Psychosocial Research Group at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
Dr Deborah Prior, RN. PhD. FRCNA
Deborah's primary career has been as an academic with the Australian Catholic University and Queensland University of Technology.
Deborah chooses to work as consultant in palliative care research, education and Indigenous issues. She is currently working with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to write and coordinate the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) for Indigenous Health Workers. Deborah was also academic writer of the Indigenous cancer module for EdCaN, the national curriculum for specialist cancer nursing.
Deborah’s research interest in understanding Indigenous perspective of cancer and palliative care began in the mid 1990s when she held a joint academic position with a clinical palliative care service. In 2005, Deborah completed her PhD on the meaning of cancer for Aboriginal women, which lead her on to work with many Indigenous colleagues to promote a culture-centred approach in cancer/palliative care. Deborah has published widely on issues relating to decolonisation in research, education and heath care, and most recently implication of a culture centred approach for cancer nursing.
Deborah’s community services include:
- Councillor: Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ) Board of Councillors
- Chairman: Board of Karuna Hospice Services
- President: Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses
- Member: CCQ Consultative group to improve cancer outcome in Indigenous communities
Maree Thomas
Maree Thomas is a joint clinical research fellow for St. George Hospital's Cancer Care Centre and the Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (University of Sydney). Her background is in clinical psychology and she also has a psychotherapy practice in Bondi Junction, part of which has a focus on people with a cancer diagnosis.
Philippa Clayton
Nurse Manager Breast Care Center
RN, BN, PGCertBreast Cancer Nsg
Philippa Clayton has been employed as the Nurse Manager of the Breast Care Center at Tawam Hospital in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine in United Arab Emirates since August 2008. She has also managed the implementation of the first mobile Breast Screening Program in the UAE.
Philippa is Australian and began her nursing training in 1976. She has over 20 years nursing experience including working as a Clinical Nurse Educator for the University of Newcastle. Philippa worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology and later specialised working as a Breast Cancer Nurse Coordinator for Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health before accepting a 2 year contract to work in the UAE.
Alison Szwajcer
RN, BN, Onc Cert, Masters of Nursing Science
Alison Szwajcer has worked as a Breast Care Nurse for the past 10 years at St George Hospital in Sydney. Prior to that she worked for 10 years in various positions in oncology both in England and Australia including in a chemotherapy unit, as a Nurse Unit Manager and an educator. Alison is on the executive of the NSW Breast Cancer Interest Group and a member of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Breast Special Interest Group.
Stacey Cail
RN, Onc Cert
Stacey works a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the radiotherapy unit at St George Hospital, Sydney, which she has been doing for a number of years. Her background includes various roles in oncology and haematology nursing including Nurse Unit Manager.
Vivienne O'Callaghan
Vivienne O'Callaghan trained as a herbalist before working in private practice and volunteering at Wayside Chapel in its Hands-On Health Clinic for two years. In 2005 Vivienne moved to England where she worked as a natural health writer and trainer for Neal's Yard Remedies, a company specialising in organic skincare and natural medicine products. In 2007, Vivienne returned to Australia and took a position with Cancer Council NSW as a publications editor, working on the Understanding Cancer series. As well as editing these booklets, Vivienne has been involved in many complementary therapies-based projects, including researching and writing 'Understanding Complementary Therapies', editing 'Massage and Cancer: an introduction to the benefits of touch', helping to coordinate a pilot program to provide subsidised massages for women with breast cancer, and presenting at COSA and Reach to Recovery conferences about complementary therapies and massage. Vivienne is a member of the National Herbalists' Association of Australia and has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Complementary Medicine).
Anne Cantor
BA Visual Communication, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, QMACA
A qualified and experienced art therapist and counsellor, Anne is currently working within the day hospital program at Northern Beaches Palliative Care supporting the holistic care of terminally ill patients. Anne is the designer and facilitator of an Art Therapy program - The Hero/Heroine's Journey. The aim of the program is to provide a safe and supportive environment where, through the use of a variety of art and creative mediums, patients are able to explore and honour their life and to undertake a journey toward healing.
Anne also has experience designing and facilitating Art Therapy programs within private hospitals for in-patients experiencing depression, anxiety and a range of mood disorders.
Anne has been an accredited Lifeline counsellor for the past seven years and is a qualified member of the ACA.
Beginning her career as a graphic designer specialising in corporate identity design, Anne has first hand experience of the power of Art Therapy to transform lives - creating a life of meaning, purpose and passion.
Dr Kathy Tucker
Dr Kathy Tucker established the first family cancer clinic in Australia. She was a founding member of the Kathleen Cunningham Consortium into Familial Aspects of Breast cancer and has had an active role in development and training of clinical cancer genetics in New South Wales.
Stacey Cail
Stacey Is a Clinical Nurse Specialist who has been working in Radiation Oncology for a number of years now. Stacey has been an Oncology Nurse for over the past fifteen years and worked in both the in and out patient setting, including a Nurse Unit Management position for a haematology/oncology ward. In her current position Stacey is involved with many women undergoing radiation treatment for their breast cancer.
Dr Vivienne Milch
Senior Project Officer (Clinical), National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
Dr Vivienne Milch is a medical practitioner at National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of national programs supporting and educating health professionals working in primary care, including general practitioners.
As well as working as a GP for 12 years, Vivienne has worked in clinical trials research at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, investigating new treatments for osteoporosis and breast cancer prevention.