Behind the Curtain

Jessica Puniard talks about her journey as Mortuary Services Supervisor at Canberra Hospital and her pathway into the mortuary field. She recounts her unexpected career path from a nurse assistant and pathology collector to a mortician.

Kerryn Ernst addresses myths and preconceptions surrounding breast cancer, and shares how she supports patients and families through treatment. She highlights the vital role of the McGrath Foundation in providing specialised cancer care.

Dr Michael Chapman discusses palliative care, dementia and voluntary assisted dying. He highlights the evolution and significance of palliative care in Australia.

From clinical practice to ground-breaking research, Dr Simon Jiang shares his story of a nephrologist who, inspired by a patient with severe autoimmune disease, ventured into the world of genetic research and made world leading breakthroughs in autoimmune and kidney disease. Also hear what Simon is doing next.

Nominated for ACT Australian of the Year in 2022, tune in as Dr Marrwah Ahmadzai gives us an insight into growing up as the daughter of refugees, the challenges of being a junior doctor and overcoming prejudices (including a patient questioning her medical credentials), to promoting diversity in medicine and running antenatal education for culturally diverse women.

Hear how personal experience has driven Dr Alison Lally to think outside the box in the emergency department to support some of our most vulnerable patients, neurodivergent children. From the strategies used to make the ED more comfortable and accessible, to a US sojourn and why Alison chooses Canberra, tune in for a good yarn.

Come on a journey with Dr Sean Chan as we hear about the challenges and ethical dilemmas posed by evolving medicine and EMCO technology, and the critical importance of organ donation conversations. Sean shares his path from emergency registrar in Newcastle to treating the sickest patients as an intensive care specialist in Canberra.

From his unexpected segue as aspiring virologist to emergency medicine specialist, and the patient experience that fuelled his mission for drug reduction harm and pioneering pill testing, Dr David Caldicott takes you on an adventure of discovery, passion and caution for the future.

From responding to motor vehicle collisions, to establishing a sexual assault service and providing care to victims, Dr Vanita Parekh shares the broad spectrum of work she does as a Forensic Pathologist, protecting vulnerable populations, and her journey and dedication to Canberra. Link to support services: https://www.hrc.act.gov.au/victim-support/Useful-Contacts-and-Crisis-Numbers

Professor Richard Scolyer and Professor Jane Dahlstrom talk about their remarkable careers in pathology, contributions to medical research and education and their enduring friendship.