Visiting Hours

Organ & Tissue Donation: The ultimate gift of life.

In this episode we visit with Bridget Walters, Northern Health's Nurse Donation Specialist.

Working closely with DonateLife Victoria, Bridget talks about the importance of ensuring you're registered for organ and tissue donation. She shares how she copes at the end of the day after investing so much of herself into her patients and their families. and how vital it is to have conversations with your loved ones about your wishes to donate.

As Bridget says,"Organ and tissue donation really is the ultimate gift of life."

Please consider registering here or at MyGov with your Medicare card, then sit back and stay a while with us for Visiting Hours.

Holistic Healthcare: A Refugee's Perspective 

In this episode we visit with Dr. David Tran, Northern Health's Divisional Director of Women and Children's Services. 

David brings a unique perspective to his leadership style as he reflects on his refugee background.

He shares some insights into why there's a need for a holistic approach within Northern Health's Paediatric Refugee Clinic; reflects on the resolve it must have taken for his parents to flea Post-war Vietnam in boat not fit for the open ocean; and recalls some of his cheeky primary school translation efforts.

Take a seat, as you're welcomed in to season 4 of Visiting Hours 

In this episode we visit with Northern Health's Board Chair, Adjunct Professor Alan Lilly.

We explore what it means to be, not just a good leader, but a great one. Alan shares his thoughts on why Northern Health's values Safe, Kind, Together, are so vital and why embracing them from the top-level down, is the key to a good reputation in our community.

Alan commends the staff for the wonderful work that's been done this year, and looks forward to a sensational 2026

Pull up a chair and settle in for the last episode of series 3 as you enjoy Visiting Hours.

In this episode we visit with Seda Kiroglu, Unit Manager of Maternity Services here at Northern Health.

Seda shares her story of growth in the organisation and her thoughts on leadership.  She highlights the vital role the Medical Obstetrics At Home (MOAH) program plays in delivering patient focused care when mums-to-be need it most.

We talk about Seda's passion for healthcare at an early age and her determination to make that dream a reality, despite being told it wasn't for her.

Take some slow, deep breathes and resist the urge to push, until this episode of Visiting Hours has finished

 

 

 

In this episode we visit with Ella Critchley, Program Manager, Advance Care Planning at Northern Health and Chair, Victorian Advance Care Planning, Community of Practice.

We focus on the importance of putting an advance care plan in place and the benefits that it yields. Ella shares some real-world examples of the freedom and relief felt by patients during the process.

As we explore Ella's journey into nursing, we discover how she developed a real connection with people while she visited her mum, who nursed in a rural hospital. The experiences gained there have grown into the genuine and thoughtful interactions Ella shares with her patients today.

We touch on positive aging, family life and some recommendations for the perfect picnic location.

Settles in and include Visiting Hours in your plan for the next 20 minutes or so. You won't regret it.

 

In this episode we visit with Dr Miranda Siemienowicz, CT Lead, Northern Imaging Victoria and Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Thoracic Radiology.

We chat about the recent commencement of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and the positive outcomes already being seen for participants. Miranda outlines the steps she's taken to regain a balance in her life following the programs launch, making conscious decisions to de-escalate her work habits. 

We discover some of her cherished childhood possessions, prove that stuff sounds cooler in Polish, and explore a life lesson learnt from her Great Aunt, a parked car and a patch of shade.

Divert your phone, set an out of office email reply and lean in to listen to this episode of Visiting Hours.

 

 

In this episode we visit with Andrew Morrison, Northern Health's Aboriginal Cultural Safety and Employment Advisor.

Andrew shares on the importance of fostering a culturally safe environment within a health setting. He reveals what prompted his journey into healthcare, and why he remains so passionate in his role today.

Take a seat in the yarning circle, lean in and lend an ear to this episode of Visiting Hours.

In this episode we visit with Dr Isra'a Al Jumaily, a Hospital Medical Officer here at Northern Health. 

Dr. Isra'a shares her experience of needing to flee her country with her family as refugees., leaving behind her home and her career.

She relates what it's been like to start from scratch in Australia while she completes her registration, the importance of holding onto the best of one's culture, and theory on why fishing was different post covid lockdowns

Hug your family, be kind to those around you as you lend an ear to this episode of Visiting Hours.