Building Innovative Leadership Capacity in the Disability and Aged Care Sectors [Interview][Transcript]

Guest: Monika Gisler

Presenter: Henry Acosta

Guest Bio: Monika is the co-founder of ThinkChangeGrow, a people and culture consulting agency aimed at bringing positive change to workplaces across the globe. Monika along with ThinkChangeGrow co-founder, Hiam particularly have a passion for promoting awareness in the aged care and disability sectors of the Australian health industry. Monika draws on over 10 years’ experience in Google sales management; learning & development and program facilitation; to implement training which produces lasting positive outcomes. Drawing on a Masters in Coaching Psychology, principles of TaiChi and meditation, she translates her formal learnings into everyday context to help individuals implement positive change in their day-to-day work.

Segment overview: In today’s Health Supplier Segment, we welcome ThinkChangeGrow co-founder Monika Gisler here to share information about their consultancy firm. ThinkChangeGrow is a people and culture consulting agency that was founded last year by Google alumni, Hiam Sakakini and Monika Gisler. They share a combined 20+ years of building innovative leadership capacity in one of the most disruptive workplaces in the world. Particularly, Hiam & Monika shine a spotlight on the disability and aged sectors of the Australian health industry in a bid to raise awareness and aid one of the most vulnerable populations in Australia. They have a passion to share their knowledge from Google and empower the leaders of today for a better tomorrow. Armed with a passion to share their knowledge for the greater good, they decided to start ThinkChangeGrow as a means of empowering individuals to discover their authentic leadership skills so they can make their own social change in their workplaces and beyond.

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Implementing Awareness, Reducing the Impact of Prostate Cancer on Patients and their Families [Interview][Transcript]

Guest: Associate Professor Anthony Lowe

Presenter: Henry Acosta

Guest Bio: Anthony is Chief Executive Officer at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, a broad-based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, recognising the diversity of the Australian community.  He is also Adjunct Associate Professor at Menzies Health Institute Queensland.

Anthony is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries (London).  He holds a PhD. in mathematical physics from the University of Southampton and a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Mathematics from the University of Cambridge.

Segment overview: In today’s Health Supplier Segment, we are joined by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia CEO Associate Professor Anthony Lowe here to share updates about their organization as well as with prostate cancer research and treatment. PCFA provides support to Australian men and their families affected by prostate cancer through evidence-based information and resources, support groups and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses.  

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The Health News – 17 May 2017

Overview:

• The risk of heart attack rises 17-fold when people have respiratory infections, Sydney University researchers have found. An analysis of almost 600 heart attacks has confirmed that colds and flus can trigger life-threatening blockages of the coronary arteries, with the peril peaking during the first seven days of infection.

• Five Australian Red Cross aid workers have received the Florence Nightingale Medal, awarded for exceptional courage and devotion to the sick, wounded or disabled in conflict and disaster zones. One of recipients, Brisbane-based nurse Ruth Jebb, has worked to desperately try to save dying children in some of the world’s worst conditions including coordinating a feeding clinic for thousands of malnourished children in Sudan.

• Staffing levels at the RAH were questioned by the state Opposition over the weekend after it was revealed the hospital’s only two specialist stroke surgeons were on holidays at the same time. South Australia’s Opposition said the issue was just the latest example of SA Health’s “lack of accountability”.

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The Health News – 16 May 2017

Overview:

• Disability groups want to increase the levy by 0.5 percentage points from 2019 to fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which has reignited a debate about whether or not Labor left a multi-billion funding black hole. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has supported the Medicare levy, but only for the top 20 per cent of wage earners with a taxable income higher than $87,001.

• Personal stories of drug addiction and efforts to recover are being shared in regular group therapy sessions of the Matrix Model, an ice addiction treatment program which is on trial in Adelaide. Clinical psychologist Phillip Townshend said the program was considered a gold standard in addiction treatment.

• Frozen veg aren’t necessarily inferior, says Melanie McGrice, a spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia. One recent British study found antioxidant levels in frozen produce can actually be higher than in fresh fruit and vegetables. “This was “quite surprising”, because people have always thought antioxidant levels would be higher in fresh vegies,” Ms McGrice said.

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Living With Primary Biliary Cholangitis [Interview] [Transcript]

Guest: Jo-Anne D’Addesio

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Jo-Anne, mom of three adult children wrote off constant fatigue with excuses for years, chalking it up to the rigors of being a full-time working parent. Her life changed when a routine blood test led to her diagnosis with the serious autoimmune liver disease known as PBC, or Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Segment overview: In this segment, Jo-Anne D’Addesio discusses her diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a serious autoimmune liver disease. For more information on PBC visit www.livingwithpbc.com

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Groundbreaking Technology That Thinks and Works Like a Physician [Interview] [Transcript]

Guest: Dave Lareau  

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: In 1978, Medicomp Systems pioneered its patented MEDCIN Knowledge Engine, co-designed with physicians, to transform disorganized, complex arrays of medical information into structured, clinically relevant data at the point-of-care. Leveraging its flagship engine, Medicomp’s Quippe suite of solutions uniquely delivers longitudinal patient information within a problem-oriented clinical view, mirroring the way physicians think and work to drive optimal patient outcomes.Quippe also includes wizard-based documentation functionality, which integrates into existing clinical workflows and EHRs, enabling health systems to further enhance EHR usability. With Quippe, healthcare organizations of all sizes can satisfy quality measures and regulatory compliance, increasing physician productivity while effectively positioning themselves for future market demands.

Segment overview:  Dave Lareau, CEO of Medicomp Systems shares how Medicomp developed technology that thinks and works like a physician at the point of care.

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Pathology and The College of American Pathologists [Interview] [Transcript]

Guest: Dr. Richard Friedberg  

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: At Baystate Health, Dr. Richard Friedberg leads a group of 21+ pathologists and a regional reference laboratory providing exclusive diagnostic services to 65 hospitals, numerous clinics, and more than 3300 providers across Massachusetts. He is also Professor and Chair, Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School – Baystate. Dr. Friedberg holds a Bachelor Science (BS) with Honors from Stanford University, an MD from Duke University, a PhD in coagulation biochemistry from Duke University, and a Master’s (SM) in Health Care Management from Harvard University. He is a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) by the American College of Physician Executives. Over the past 20 years, he has also served on numerous committees and councils for the College of American Pathologists (CAP), including Government & Professional Affairs, Accreditation, Quality Practices, Strategic Planning, Finance, & Transfusion Medicine. In 2007 and again in 2010, he was elected by the CAP membership to serve on the CAP Board of Governors. In 2013, the CAP membership elected him to serve as CAP President-Elect and CAP President from 2015-17.

Segment overview: Dr. Richard Friedberg, MD, talks about the field of pathology, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the impact pathologists have on patient care.

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Increasing Treatment Options for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis [Interview][Transcript]

Professor_John_King_MS_Clinical_Trials_ProgramGuest: Professor John King
Presenter: Wayne Bucklar
Guest Bio: John King is a neurologist in the Department of Neurology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he has been involved in clinical neurology, teaching and research. He has had a long term interest in the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Since 1993 he has been a principal investigator in numerous trials of new therapeutic agents in multiple sclerosis. He is a past President of the Australian Association of Neurologists, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and past chairman of the MS subcommittee of the Australian Association of Neurologists.

Segment overview: In today’s Health Supplier Segment, we are joined by Professor John King here to discuss their research being conducted under the MS Clinical Trials Program at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. In addition, the government has recently announced that starting May 1 2017, ZINBRYTA® (daclizumab) will be included on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as a new subsidised treatment option for patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Professor King believes that it can be beneficial to have a range of treatment options including ZINBRYTA, so that they can tailor their approach accordingly, and help people with MS live an everyday life and prevent or limit physical or cognitive disabilities.

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High Risk Assessment Cancer Program at Medstar [Interview] [Transcript]

Emily_Kuchinsky_Medstar_High_Risk_Assessment_Cancer_ProgramGuest: Emily Kuchinsky, MS, CGC
Presenter: Neal Howard
Guest Bio: Ms. Kuchinsky is a certified genetic counselor and coordinator of the cancer risk assessment and counseling program for the MedStar Health Cancer Network. She specializes in working with individuals concerned about the possibility of developing inherited cancers and develops personalized cancer screening recommendations based on family history and/or genetic testing results. Board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, Ms. Kuchinsky holds a master’s degree from the University of Arizona in genetic counseling.

Segment overview: Emily Kutchinsky talks about the benefits of a high risk assessment cancer program.

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The Health News – 15 May 2017

Overview:

New tools to address the growing childhood obesity epidemic have been launched including a website showing a healthy weight calculator and a video of a nutritionist giving a guided tour in a supermarket to highlight better food choices. Dr Kerry Chant, chief health officer at NSW Health said new and clear ways have to be found to reach families.

• South Australia Health’s director of health protection, Chris Lease, said three cases of  Legionnaires’ disease had been reported recently in two males and one female. The new cases follow a cluster of nine cases in January, which were suspected to have been contracted within the Adelaide CBD, although the source was not identified.

• Ms Merten died in 2014 from a brain injury after she fell over more than 20 times at the Mental Health Unit of Lismore Base Hospital, on the state’s north coast. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the State’s Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright and a parliamentary committee would review whether failures in mental health care persist.

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