Shemah Appleton
Shem is a project officer in SARRAH’s workforce development projects, drawing from experience as a rural and remote practicing high risk podiatrist, software development and digital project management. Shem has been heavily involved in SARRAH’s delivery of its BRAHAW and TAHRGETS programs.
Jenny Campbell
Jenny Campbell is currently the A/Executive Director of Clinical Leadership and Reform in the Clinical Excellence Division at the Department of Health WA. Her substantive role is the Chief Allied Health Officer at the Department of Health WA.
She has a clinical background in Occupational Therapy and has extensive experience in health as an allied health practitioner and leader. She successfully championed the reestablishment of the Chief Allied Health Office in WA and is passionate about the positive influence Allied Health and Health Science professions can have on system reform. Jenny is a skilled and motivated Strategic Leader in the public health space with proven success in embedding sustainable change. Jenny is passionate about improving the capability and capacity of Allied Health researchers and is the current chair of the National Allied Health Research Network.
Vin Cavalheri
A/Prof Vin Cavalheri is the Allied Health Research Director at South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) and the Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University, and an Associate Professor in the Curtin School of Allied Health at Curtin University. Vin has a background in Physiotherapy and his main field of research is exercise training and promotion of physical activity in people with chronic lung diseases and cancer (mainly lung cancer). As Allied Health Research Director at SMHS, he provides leadership and fosters excellence in allied health research and articulates with research across the different professions and programs of research across SMHS and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University.
Simone Champion
Bio to come
Professor Natalie Ciccone
Natalie Ciccone is a Professor of Allied Health within the School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia. She has worked as an academic in leadership, as the Associate Dean (Allied Health) (2016- 2022), and as a teaching and research scholar. Natalie has a clinical background in Speech Pathology and has worked in acute, rehabilitation and private practise based clinical settings. Natalie’s leading area of research is investigating the clinical management of communication disorders following brain injury. Additionally, she has a focus on the development of clinical skills in students and the application of evidence-based practice to clinical reasoning.
Dr Ingrid Lensink
Currently Chief Allied and Scientific Health Officer for SA Health, Dr Ingrid Lensink has worked in the South Australian health sector for thirty years. Dr Lensink started her career as a medical scientist within the leading hospitals in South Australia and completed her PhD at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, publishing in international peer reviewed journals. She has also supervised multidisciplinary students and mentored junior staff and students at the University of Adelaide.
Dr Lensink has held senior policy positions leading the development of national health policy initiatives around education and training of the future health workforce and has published numerous papers in clinical research as well as more recently in the area of valuing health professional students as an asset in clinical care. She has also led the Department for Health and Wellbeing’s state-wide education and training portfolio for undergraduate health professions for several years. A strong advocate for inclusivity and equity, she chairs several executive committees within the Department for Health and Wellbeing, including the Aboriginal Reconciliation Working Group and the Gender Equity and Diversity Committee.
Faye McMillan AM
Professor Faye McMillan AM is a Wiradjuri yinaa (woman) originally from Trangie, NSW. Faye is a community pharmacist and is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian to hold a western degree in pharmacy in this country. Faye is a strong advocate for improving Indigenous health care across professions, notably being a founding member and past chair of Indigenous Allied Health Australia.
Faye is currently one of two Deputy National Rural Health Commissioners and works at UTS as a Professor in Indigenous Health in the School of Public Health, as well as a board member of The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and is also the chair of the APC Indigenous health strategy group. Faye has received numerous accolades for her leadership and contribution to population health, education, equity, and the community. In 2021 Professor McMillan was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List. Professor McMillan’s appointment recognises her significant service to Indigenous mental health, and to tertiary education. In 2022 she was named the PSA Pharmacist of the year; in 2019 she was named as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the year; 2022 & 2017 she was recognised in the Who’s Who of Australian Women; and in 2014 included in the Australian Financial Review and 100 Women of Influence.
Faye holds a Doctor of Health Science, Master of Indigenous Health, Master of Social Change Leadership, B. Pharm, Grad Cert Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage, Grad Cert Indigenous Governance, Grad Cert Education, Dip Counselling, Cert IV Training and Assessment and is a Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy and Lifelong Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity.
Bronwyn Morris-Donovan
Bio to come
Benjamin Noteboom
Ben was appointed as the EMHS Area Director of Allied Health and RPBG Director of Allied Health in 2022. Ben has worked in the health sector for 18 years with a background as a physiotherapist specialising in complex tertiary critical care. Other recent leadership and management roles include Professional Lead for Physiotherapy during Fiona Stanley Hospital commissioning, Service Co-Director of Cancer and Specialty Services for Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group and Service Director for Cancer and Specialty Services at Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service.
Ben also previously held a Senior Clinical Fellow appointment with Curtin University School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science and a position on the School Advisory Board. He has collaborated on various research and education opportunities with leading researchers and academics at Curtin University, especially in the field of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.
Ben is an Associate Fellow and Certified Health Manager of the Australasian College of Health Service Management and is currently a candidate of the College Fellowship program. Ben is also a member of the Australian Institute of Management WA Advisory Committee and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. He completed a Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration at La Trobe University in 2022.
Suzie Parkyn
Suzie is currently working in project management within the Allied and Scientific Health Office-South Australia. She is a Podiatrist by background and has been working within the public sector since 2008. She has extensive clinical experience in high-risk foot management, hospital avoidance and chronic conditions self-management working across both the acute and community sectors. She has a Graduate Certificate in Health Science and has previously worked for both health and university sectors providing clinical education to allied health staff and students. Her current interests are in workforce reform, data and staff wellbeing.
Mark Petrich
Mark Petrich is WA’s Chief Allied Health Officer. As well as providing professional leadership for more than 25 allied health professions, Mark is also responsible for WA Department of Health portfolios including assistive technology and homeless health. From a physiotherapy background, Mark has worked in Director roles for the WA Department of Health in Community Services and System Clinical Support & Innovation. With a passion for innovations including community-based service models, Mark is a former lecturer in Health Policy and Management at Curtin University, and holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master’s in Public Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy.
Rachel Resuggan
Rachel Resuggan is a renowned leader in Allied Health with extensive expertise in governance within the field. Working for St John of God Health Care as the National Manager Allied Health, she is building strong foundations to provide Allied Health professionals with optimum environments in which to enable deliver excellent care. Her passion for Allied Health governance comes from years of leading Allied Health services, including the North Metropolitan Area Health Service in Western Australia. Rachel is the Chairperson for the Catholic Health Australia Allied Health committee.
Indiana Swanson
Bio to come
Erin Wilson
Erin has more than 18 years’ experience in senior leadership positions in clinical, management, policy, board and project roles across public hospital and private health settings. Previously, Erin has held numerous program director, associate program director and clinical operations roles for Mercy Health and Eastern Health in Victoria, where she was responsible for a large suite of multidisciplinary and multi-site services spanning acute, sub-acute, ambulatory care and primary health services. Formerly a physiotherapist, Erin has also completed a degree in Medical Science at La Trobe University and Master of Public Health – Health Services Management from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
