SanNews

Celebrating milestones & award winning people

VOLUME 1 2019

A teaching hospital of Partner in nursing education Proudly supported by While a strength of Adventist HealthCare’s is that we are both faith-based and not-for- profit, meaning we follow Christian ideals and we re-invest margins back into services and infrastructure,WINTER our real 2016 difference has always been our exceptional people. They have a special commitment demonstrating their jobs are actually, their vocations. They are all those who help us deliver healthcare: our 1,100 doctors and our 2,400 staff, nurses, allied health professionals, executives, administrators, spiritual care, hospitality, groundsmen, patient services, wardsmen, food service teams, our fundraising Foundation, and our 500 strong inspirational Volunteer Help Team. San Emergency Care Director Dr Greg McDonald, Clinical Nurse Specialist Sharon Hoover, and EC Nurse Unit Manager Kevin Churchill I wish I could list them all. When we developed our values of Excellence, Dignity, Integrity and Continuity of care, we drew Ambulance patients $0 on how we see our staff care for over 180,000 patients each year. admission fees at San EC Being a CEO who started my professional career Patients admitted to the San’s “Ambulances transport high as a nurse and understanding the satisfaction of helping the sick and the compromised, I have a Emergency Care department via risk patients because they need strong connection and response to how I witness ambulance now pay no admission urgent attention. Waiving the fee these values being lived here every day. fees. This adopts a fee waiver first means there will be less indecision, I hear and see those values across AHCL, in Board introduced last winter as a pilot hesitation and uncertainty, and Executive meetings, on the Wards, in the scheme aiming to reduce the risk reducing delays in patients being Operating Theatres, Day Infusion Centre, the San patients may not receive quick access assessed and treated. It can mean Help Team, I smell them in the kitchen and in the to care if their choice of unit was the difference between life, quality gardens. influenced by a potential facility fee. of life, and death.” Patients and families tell me about them… Director of San EC Dr Greg McDonald See www.sah.org.au/emergency-care San people in their various areas of expertise, doing their best to provide more care to our has reaffirmed the continuation of the community; showing they care more. fee waiver. And I’m delighted that this edition of San News shows briefly how they do it, and that yet again 2019 Diary Dates their “More Care” is recognised by others, with visit: www.sah.org.au/event-calendar or ring 94879871 for more details our out-patient cancer services achieving State 1st ranking, a NSW Premier’s Woman of the Date Event Year nominee, and many important milestones Wednesday 15th May 2019 Women’s Health Free Public Forum improving our ability to service our community. These recognitions of individuals is a reflection Thursday 23rd May 2019 Biggest Morning Tea on all the team, and a testament to the power of people united by the principles of our Mission - Sunday 4th August 2019 San Foundation Run for Life Christianity in Action, caring for the body, mind and spirit of our patients, colleagues, community Saturday 17th August 2019 San Homecoming and ourselves. I hope you enjoy reading about how lives are Wednesday 4th September 2019 Men’s Health Free Public Forum being changed for the better, here at the San - your San, my San, our San. Sunday 8th December 2019 San Carols We strive to continue to grow our brand strength and our community impact. We welcome your support to do it. San News Production Team AHCL Corporate Communications Manager, Leisa O’Connor E: [email protected] Feel free to email me at [email protected]. Design: Michael Pellaers. Photographic and editorial contributions: Alanna Jordison. Brett Goods San News is the bi-annual newsletter of Adventist HealthCare from the Corporate Communications and Marketing team. Chief Executive Officer Front Cover Image 1: San Cancer Care Team including Director San Cancer Services A/Prof Gavin Marx, and Adventist HealthCare Clinical Director Division of Surgical Services A/Prof Michael Hughes 2 Image 2: Patsy Stewart with CCU Manager Rebecca Dinn and team members Nari Barends and Joy Liah Image 3: A/Prof Payal Mukherjee with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Award Cancer outpatient services rated 1st in NSW San cancer outpatient services San Emergency Care Director Dr Greg McDonald, Clinical Nurse Specialist Sharon Hoover, have been rated first in NSW for and EC Nurse Unit Manager Kevin Churchill patient experience following a state wide survey of more than One of the Poon Day Infusion team members with a patient using the ‘cold cap’ to Ambulance patients $0 11,300 patients attending 50 minimise hair loss during chemotherapy. cancer clinics across NSW. centre, providing a holistic approach admission fees at San EC Equally impressive, the San rated to patients’ both physical and significantly higher than the NSW psychological needs. state average for 25 of the 53 “It is the quality of the people measures cancer patients rated their involved in cancer care which is the experience on. reason for the San’s result as first in Survey results were collated from the state” says A/Prof Marx. 318 of the chemotherapy patients “It’s not just the building. It’s about from the San Day Infusion Centre people working together. These and radiation treatments at Radiation survey results reflect what we see Oncology Centres. working with cancer colleagues and San Clinical Director of Cancer staff, and it validates the sentiments Services, Associate Professor we hear daily from patients coming 2019 Diary Dates Gavin Marx, says the survey results to the San. are an endorsement of both A/Prof Gavin Marx visit: www.sah.org.au/event-calendar or ring 94879871 for more details Patients benefit from the exceptional the San’s exceptional team of professional skill sets, the years SAH patients’ results showed: nurses, technicians, allied health • of experience, and the modern 93% rated overall care as ‘very good’ professionals and support teams, and • 96% speak highly of their experience equipment and services. Patients feel the diagnostic, medical and surgical • 98% were treated with respect the warmth, the genuine compassion experts caring for cancer patients. • 97% reported staff were kind and caring and the humanity of the staff, Patients rated SAH above the State average in: “These best-rated performance because it is real. • How health professionals treated them results validate the original • Being informed about different treatment options The San coming first in NSW for motivation for the design and • Being involved in decisions about care patient experience is due to the integration of the cancer facility” • Being advised about treatment side effects coordinated and dedicated team says A/Prof Marx. *The Bureau of Health Information publishes independent who all share a very conscious reports about the performance of the healthcare system in NSW Opened in 2014 the Integrated commitment to providing holistic with the aim of enhancing visibility, strengthen accountability, and increase understanding to influence actions to improve Cancer Centre recognises that care for our cancer patients. healthcare. The 2017 survey results were published on December a cancer diagnosis is complex 5th and are based on feedback from 11,300 survey respondents This result means the San has based on services across 48 public and 2 private outpatient and aims to minimise stress by cancer clinics across NSW. done exceptionally well, but most incorporating oncology specialists, importantly, it translates to excellent The Integrated Cancer Centre was a San Foundation radiation specialists, surgeons, supported initiative. Want to help us to help others? Front Cover Image 1: San Cancer Care Team including Director San Cancer Services A/Prof Gavin Marx, and care for patients… Donate at www.sanfoundation.org.au pathology services, psychologists, Clinical Director Division of Surgical Services A/Prof Michael Hughes and treatment facilities into the one Yes, we are all incredibly proud.” Image 2: Patsy Stewart with CCU Manager Rebecca Dinn and team members Nari Barends and Joy Liah 3 Image 3: A/Prof Payal Mukherjee with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Award New Head of SAH Medical School Associate Professor Michael Hughes is the new Head of the Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School of Associate Professor Michael Hughes awarded former Associate Dean and Head of the Clinical School The University of Sydney, Faculty of Professor John Watson a Commemorative Clinical School Medallion Medicine and Health. his years of leadership in multiple significance of the San being a clinical, academic and management teaching hospital, A/Prof Hughes A/Prof Hughes was initially appointed roles which have supported the reflected on its importance. as an Associate Professor in Surgery Hospital. His work in improving the by the University of Sydney when the management and coordination of “It has long been recognised that Clinical School opened in 2011. He clinical care has resulted in his recent teaching hospitals deliver the highest was then appointed Deputy Head of quality evidence based clinical care appointment to the new position of the Clinical School before becoming because the teaching and research Clinical Director of the Division of Acting Head when the former Head environment encourages excellence, Surgical Services at the San. of the Clinical School, Professor John collegiality, innovation and a high Watson, a driving force in the School’s A/Prof Hughes’ career builds on level of personal and institutional establishment, resigned last year after an impressive family pedigree of accountability. 7 and a half years. excellence in medical practice and Teaching hospitals attract the best leadership with his grandfather clinicians, educators and researchers.” A/Prof Hughes is revered as an a leading obstetrician and exemplary teacher, surgeon, and gynaecologist at Crown Street To read more on A/Prof Hughes appointment or innovator, whose passion for Women’s Hospital and his uncle a his article on the San as a Teaching Hospital see excellence, dignity and integrity in www.sah.org.au/news-and-events highly regarded general surgeon healthcare matches the San’s ideals Professor Watson has accepted a new role at Sydney Hospital, NSW’s oldest and vision. The executive team of as Senior Vice Dean Clinical Affairs at the hospital. University of New South Wales Faculty of Adventist HealthCare welcome his Medicine. appointment to this position after In a recent article explaining the New doctors graduate

2018 graduates celebrate at the University of Sydney with A/Prof Michael Hughes, (far left) and Professor Henry Woo (far right).

24 Medical students celebrated their Now in its ninth year, the Clinical School Education Centre on site at the San which graduation last December from the currently has around 120 medical students is also home to the Avondale College of Sydney Adventist Hospital Medical School undertaking the medical program. Higher Education School of Nursing. of the University of Sydney. The school operates out of the Clinical 4 San Woman of the Year nominee

San Associate Professor Payal “My grandparents were raised around strong urge to fight against social Mukherjee was one of 4 impressive the time of the Partition, when India injustice and value education over nominees for the 2019 NSW and Pakistan were created during financial rewards. I also learnt that Premier’s Woman of the Year Award. massive civil unrest and an internal all human beings can learn from refugee crisis. personal adversity and drive social Recognising the outstanding change.” achievements of inspiring females, Life was extremely difficult and my A/Prof Mukherjee was nominated for grandmother, even though she would A/Prof Mukherjee’s family immigrated the award because of her advocacy have made a great doctor, while she to Australia when she was 13. for gender equality in medicine was resourceful and learned where and against domestic violence, and she could, had no opportunity for “I know I’ve had opportunities that because of her passion for excellence, extended education. many others haven’t, and I think innovation, and research. that’s why I was drawn to medicine Similarly my parents’ generation and love research, and why I’m still The San ear nose and throat surgeon faced massive educational disruption studying. was humbled by the nomination and with communist riots and violence paid tribute to her family’s belief in causing school closures and it is a As a surgeon, I see the resilience of the power of education. sign of his tenacity that my father still people struggling with the diverse managed to graduate with a double things life delivers them, whether “I think while I naturally always strived degree in engineering, funded it’s issues due to their hearing and to do my best, it is my family, and through scholarships. health, domestic violence or other their experiences, that I believe have problems, and it inspires me to do my shaped who I am today” she says. As a result, I was brought up with a best to improve things where I can. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see those tangible changes improve people’s lives”.

Other Woman of the Year nominees included sexual harassment campaigner Tracey Spicer AM, NRL ambassador and mental health advocate Ruan Sims, and disability entrepreneur Laura O’Reilly, all pictured here with NSW Premier Gladys Berejklian. Ms Spicer was named as the awardee on March 7th.

Associate Professor Mukherjee, mother Manju and daughter Eesha met NSW Governor David Hurley at Government House as part of her nomination celebration. 5 Life-saving heart surgeries 100 TAVI’s save 100 lives

The San has successfully completed the first private hospital in Australia to its 100th Transcatheter Aortic Valve offer a private fully integrated cardiac Implantation (TAVI) operation, surgery and catheterisation program providing Central Coast great in 1979. grandmother Patsy Stewart an After the 1.5 hour operation, Patsy alternative to life-threatening was sitting up in bed, celebrating surgery. with San Coronary Care Unit nurses. Aged 88, and a keen Bridge player Five weeks after her operation and walker, Patsy was diagnosed in she successfully flew to England 2017 with aortic valve stenosis and accompanied by her daughter to see TAVI and EVAR patient John Turnbull was told the severity of her condition her twin sister. meant she was unlikely to survive the trauma of open heart surgery. A common and serious valve problem, aortic valve stenosis is where the heart valve is narrowed, so with each beat, less blood leaves the heart to nourish the body. Over time the heart has to work harder to pump enough blood out. By August 2018 Patsy’s valve had narrowed by 44% leaving her little choice but to undergo surgery. “I was quite anxious as her condition was progressing quite rapidly” said Patsy’s daughter Deborah. “If she didn’t have the surgery, she was facing a much more difficult life and a potentially even more uncomfortable death. She was damned if she did, and damned if she didn’t.” Thankfully while open heart surgery was not an option, San interventional cardiologists Dr Dennis Wang and Dr Jason Sharp were able to perform a TAVI on Patsy. It was the 100th TAVI done at the San since the first TAVI was performed in 2015. The San has a long history of comprehensive cardiac care being

San interventional cardiologists Drs Dennis Wang and Jason Sharp with Patsy and CCU Clinical 6 Nurse Specialist Sarah Cherry Life-saving heart surgeries Simultaneous heart surgeries were the best option

“He was a ticking time bomb with his 84 year old John had a rare Both are procedures done via a aneurysm.” combination of both severe aortic catheter inserted into the femoral stenosis causing his heart valve artery. After 4,000 heart procedures during to pump at less than a third of its his 10 year career, San interventional “I was pleased that the doctors capacity, which in 50% of cases cardiologist Dr Dennis Wang knew working together to do both causes death within 2 years, and an that the risks for his patient John procedures meant I only had to have aortic aneurysm with an even more Turnbull, at his advanced age, and one operation” says John. limited life expectancy of only 6-12 with his quadruple bypass and months. Ruptured aneurysms can I knew only requiring one anaesthetic family history, were significant. be catastrophic with 4,000 patients was less risk, and it was easier to hospitalised and 1,000 patients dying recover from just one procedure, each year from internal bleeding. than two. I also knew that time was running out.” “We were very conscious of the risk of the unusual combination of heart The technology of the San’s $3 disease John had” says Dr Wang. million Hybrid Theatre opened in “The risk of an aneurysm rupturing 2017 helped enable this. The theatre goes up significantly, so if we left that combines the critical technical untreated, John would have either elements of an operating theatre died from his heart valve, or suddenly needed for the implantation of the died from his aorta rupturing because replacement aortic valve* and the of the aneurysm. His aortic stenosis benefits of an angiography suite increased the anaesthetic risk for the which provides the better quality aneurysm procedure. In addition John imaging equipment a vascular also needed to have a pacemaker surgeon needs. implanted the day before.” “Being able to do both procedures John needed surgery where at once shows our advancements in both procedures could be done, both technology and collaboration” minimising the risks of multiple said Dr Wang. procedures requiring multiple “In the past we wouldn’t have been anaesthesias. able to do this. “This is where the combined cardiac John’s case was a rare one, but and vascular skills here at the San and this meant we were able to come the availability of a hybrid theatre together as a team to get a better meant the procedure could outcome. We believe it is the first time be performed simultaneously” says in Australia that these two procedures Dr Wang. have been done simultaneously. Dr Wang and fellow interventional On the day all the team involved cardiologist Dr Jason Sharp were quite aware we were doing performed a transcatheter aortic something unique – there was valve implantation to replace the certainly a sense of wow.” severely narrowed aortic valve, *Valve supplied by Medtronic while vascular surgeon Dr Tae Cho undertook an endovascular aneurysm repair. 7 San nurses reunion with inspiring mentor 3 highly qualified international San nurses have been reunited with the Indonesian philanthropist they credit with their start in life. Working in various departments across the hospital, the experienced nurses Misbachudin, Eranita Lamplough and Fatihu Soleh attribute their degrees, their career progression and their expertise to the initial financial and educational assistance from the Binawan Front – Eranita Lamplough, Saleh Alwaini, Hilwa Alwaini Foundation headed by Indonesian “If I hadn’t received assistance to with growing healthwork force businessman Saleh Alwaini. come to Australia to be educated, my shortages and showed how helping Mr Alwaini and his daughter Hilwa life would have been so different” an individual could help many. Eranita says. visited Australia on a reconnaissance “Why give someone a fish when you to see the impact of the Australian “What he has done for me and all can give them a fishing rod?” said Mr education and placement of 200 the others that he has helped…it is Alwaini. of the estimated 2,700 healthcare indescribable.” professionals the Foundation has During the visit, the couple met helped worldwide. The visitors toured the San’s Intensive Mishachudin and Eranita, and Care Unit, San Radiology and the other San team members including Eranita Lamplough arrived in Clinical Education Centre. Meeting the Foundation Managing Director Australia in 2004 and is a Registered group he had mentored, Mr Alwaini Karen Gair, San Education Manager Nurse and Clinical Nurse Educator said it reinforced how international Kay Leatherland, Intensive Care now training future nurses. educational opportunities helped Unit Manager Chris Waite and San Radiology’s Richard Todd. Radiology Across Borders Clinical Director of San Radiology designed to help prepare them for and Nuclear Medicine, Dr Lisa the future.” Tarlinton, is a volunteer with Dr Tarlinton’s lectures also introduced humanitarian medical group the latest advances in prostate cancer Radiology Across Borders and diagnosis and staging. in October last year, travelled to Hanoi University Hospital in “As a radiologist I believe it’s not only Vietnam sharing her dual qualified, my role to provide my patients with subspecialised skills of diagnosing the best quality diagnostic imaging and staging prostate cancer. advances and interpretation, but also share my knowledge with my It’s the cutting-edge technology of colleagues, wherever they are in the Australian hospitals like the San that world” says Dr Tarlinton. inspires her to lecture in developing “Australian radiologists lecturing in countries, says Dr Tarlinton. San Radiology’s Dr Lisa Tarlinton and local radiologists at developing countries like Vietnam the University of Hanoi Hospital “While Vietnamese radiologists are enables their local radiologists to talented and committed, they simply develop subspecialty reporting that all patients with prostate cancer, don’t have access to the world-class skills despite not being in a financial regardless of geographic location, technology we take for granted at the situation to travel to international can benefit from the latest imaging San” says Dr Tarlinton. conferences or fellowships. advances.” “However there is still a lot we can Dr Tarlinton and her team will be returning to What we are doing in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City later in the year to reach a new share and our visit to Hanoi was helping build the future of advanced audience of radiologists within the south of Vietnam. 8 imaging with our Asian partners so Bone School at the San- a fertile ground for teaching and learning

Highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons at the San are sharing their expertise during ‘Bone School’, part of an Australian Orthopaedic Association led program giving a new generation of young doctors access to hospital-based training opportunities. Intern Dr Madeleine Wilson, Dr Edmund O’Leary, registrar Dr Tristan Rappo and Dr Roderick Brooks, Hosted by the San once a year, Bone examine patient Clem Neaves School is held at various hospitals histories and examined patients, “The San’s commitment to medical state-wide each week to build on reviewing diagnostic imaging and education and training now extends knowledge learned during Medical discussing treatment priorities from the earliest days of a student School and as a junior doctor. and options with their more in medical school, through to The “students” attending Bone experienced colleagues. internship – one’s first steps as a School are orthopaedic registrars doctor - and onwards to registrar or The supervising surgeons quizzed – the bone and joint surgeons of medical specialist training” says Dr the registrars about their findings, tomorrow. Brooks. their proposed management, and San Head of Orthopaedics, Dr how they would approach any “It is the San’s high volume, Roderick Brooks, says that as NSW’s recommended surgical procedures. diverse and complex range of largest private hospital the San is orthopaedic conditions, and While Bone School can help a fertile ground for learning and breadth of expertise amongst registrars’ preparation for exams, the teaching. its 44 orthopaedic surgeons that main emphasis is on preparation for gives future doctors opportunities “Fellow orthopaedic surgeon Dr professional life as an orthopaedic for learning they might not get Ed O’Leary’s coordination of the surgeon.” logistics of the San hosted Bone elsewhere. School sessions, is producing an Traditionally, medical teaching Bone School at the San is an exceptional training opportunity has occurred in public rather than invaluable experience not only for with attendees often commenting private hospitals. For the San the registrars, but also for us as how beneficial it was for them. however, it is a natural extension of its long history of health workforce surgeons. We are grateful for the At the recent session, 20 training. opportunity to share our skills, orthopaedic registrars were grateful to our patients who kindly mentored by 13 of the San’s This history includes having an give their time to be examined, orthopaedic surgeons, as they on-site nursing school since 1903, and proud to be helping the next examined, diagnosed and mentoring orthopaedic and other generation of doctors.” recommended treatment for 16 specialist registrars since the 1990’s, orthopaedic patients. The registrars being accredited for intern training, visited bedsides, took patient and being home to a Clinical School of the University of Sydney. 9 Nurse Bessie Matambo with her Mission Celebrating Ambassador Award. quality care Excellence in care, quality improvement, and environmentally friendly initiatives have been celebrated during the Hospital’s annual Quality Awards. Director Carol Zeuschner and Amongst the awardees were the San teams Manager Bevan Lambert from nutrition and dietetics, and food services accepting for the Go Green project for their ‘Go Green’ project aiming to increase from Brett Goods and Julie Behrens. the use of biodegradable food packaging and refillable beverage cups, to reduce landfill waste and CO2 emissions. A bronze member of the NSW Government’s Sustainability Program, Quality Awards Manager Mary Anne the results were impressive with over 5,000 Noonan (2nd from left) with Angela Flinn, refillable cups used, which together with the Christine Ryan and Kristine Charman. packaging initiative, saved over 19,000 kg of CO2 emissions. Another awarded project was the newly established San’s Dementia Carer Support Group offering carers a forum for assistance, advice and mutual support. A highlight of the awards event was the announcement of much loved Coronary Tess Osborne, Therese Kachenko, Rachel Care Unit Nurse Bessie Matambo as the Bowerman, Agnes Esak and Karen Swensen 2018 Hospital Mission Ambassador, with CEO Brett Goods. nominated for her kind, considerate, physiological, and spiritual care.

San Quality Awards are a San Foundation supported initiative. Want to help us to help others? Donate at www.sanfoundation.org.au

While statistics that 1 in 4 adult South Pacific Islanders are diabetic might shock, it’s even sadder that as a disease triggered by lifestyle, type 2 Trekking Kokoda diabetes and the consequent 80 daily amputations of toes and limbs in the South Pacific, could be reduced. Lack of or late diagnosis of the disease often means irreversible damage is for 10,000 Toes done leading to foot sepsis or gangrene and amputation. To raise awareness and help reduce type 2 diabetes in the South Pacific, Chairman of the San’s Adventist HealthCare Board, Pastor Glenn Townend, and his son Travis are seeking sponsorship of their 21 strong team trek of Papua New Guinea’s infamous and challenging Kokoda Track in July. Educating about and promoting good health is a central philosophy of what Adventists believe in, and what the San Hospital, and Adventist Health, the health promotion division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the 10,000 Toes campaign, are all about says Pastor Townend. “We want to turn the tide of diabetes in the South Pacific” he says. “If sufficient funds are raised we hope to supply 2,000 blood sugar testing kits, educate and equip people about healthy lifestyles, and upskill and train local doctors and nurses to diagnose and detect the disease early. And sadly, with over 1.3 million Papua New Guineans amongst the 1.9 people in the South Pacific with type 2 diabetes, walking Kokoda to help battle this epidemic, seems more than appropriate.

I’m looking forward to honouring the sacrifice and courage of the Australian diggers who fought so bravely on the Track and to meeting the descendants of the local life-saving and Adventist ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ who helped them. It will be a challenge but well worth the effort.” Pastor Glenn Townend Chairman Adventist HealthCare Board Anyone is welcome to join. For information and to sponsor see 10 www.10000toes.com or email [email protected] NEW breast imaging to help save lives

San radiologist Dr Christine Shearman with the new Siemens Mammomat Revelation mammography machine . “Detecting breast cancer can be like mammography - a technique called health education. Armed with trying to see a snowman in a snow Tomosynthesis. this knowledge, doctors and their storm.” Tomosynthesis produces multiple patients can be more proactive about Dr Christine Shearman is excited images of the breast rather than the the type of imaging they require and about the implications of new breast usual single image, which results the intervals between assessments imaging technology for the one in in improved diagnostic accuracy as based on the individual’s personal eight Australian women diagnosed overlap is reduced. risk. This is likely to result in the with breast cancer. detection of breast cancer at an The x-ray tube arcs over the breast earlier stage. The Supervising Radiologist of Breast over a 50 degree angle. Imaging at the San has just overseen The unit also offers a more “This wider angle results in greater comfortable experience with the installation of a new Sydney first depth resolution, reducing the specialist breast x-ray unit which has smoother paddles with curved edges negative effect of superimposed that support the breast and improved demonstrated an over 40% increase shadows “says Dr Shearman. in the detection of breast cancer technology taking the best imaging when compared to conventional 2D “It’s a little bit like looking at a cake, for the least discomfort. mammography, in a large Swedish the breast being the cake. Instead “We know that breast compression screening study. of looking at a cake in 2 different is necessary for this examination directions we are actually looking at however it has to be the correct The installation cost is in excess of slices of the cake so we can better $600,000. amount of compression. I call it the evaluate the whole internal structure. Goldilocks model” says Dr Shearman. Dr Shearman knows that a “The compression is not too little, not radiologist’s ability to detect cancers Improved clarity of images results in too much, but just right. depends on both the expertise of the improved cancer diagnosis. radiologist as well as the quality of Women can now be less fearful about Many cancers appear white and when the mammographic images. mammography which may well positioned in white breast tissue it is lead to earlier detection and earlier “Breast tissue can be a complex like looking for a snowman in a snow treatment. structure to assess” says Dr Shearman. storm. It’s a great opportunity to improve “You need an experienced radiologist Now thanks to this technology we outcomes and save more lives.” who recognises the wide variations are even more likely to be able to in the normal anatomy of the breast differentiate normal breast tissue as well as having an understanding from cancer.” of breast pathology. However even FAST FACTS with experience, interpreting the Another significant feature of the mammogram can be difficult as Siemens Mammomat unit is its ability to provide an Revelation Mammography Unit: breast tissue is made up of various accurate and reproducible measure proportions of fat, glandular and of breast density. Breast density is • Improved diagnostic accuracy fibrous tissue, which results in now accepted as a risk factor for • 40% increase in cancer detection marked individual variations in the breast cancer. Women with the most mammographic appearance.” • Smoother curved paddles dense breasts have up to 5 times supporting the breast Despite advances in conventional 2D the increased risk of breast cancer • Optimal breast compression mammography, 15-30% of cancers compared to women with the least • Mood lighting to improve the have not been detectable because of dense breasts. experience the inability to see the cancer within Providing women and their medical • Reproducible breast density dense breast tissue. practitioner with this information evaluation The San’s new unit offers both is a major advance in public the conventional 2D and also 3D 11 Volunteering to help save lives - a family affair

Mark, Melanie, Mason and Mia during their trip in 2006 Mia 2, and Mason 4, help carry medical supplies Mark, Melanie, Mason and Mia during their trip in 2018

“It’s an incredible opportunity to “It’s heartbreaking to see that from logistics, to laundry runs, to help somebody who can’t help children that are born with holes in driver. themselves. It’s actually quite their heart or congenital issues have Meanwhile, having travelled with addictive….that’s why we keep going no surgeon there that can help. They their parents from as young as 2 years back.” are waiting for our team or the next and 9 months, Mason and Mia’s tasks team to come, and depending on As she speaks about the 17 annual include packing and unpacking and when you can come, it can mean the volunteer trips she has made to engaging with the youngest Fijian difference between life and death for help save lives in Fiji since 2002, the patients after their heart surgery, a child” explains Melanie. San’s Patient Flow Manager Melanie playing games and blowing bubbles Windus, whose commitment to her Last year, OHI, now in partnership to encourage the critical chest and day job ensures San patients get with the international Adventist respiratory rehabilitation needed transferred quickly between the Development Relief Agency, after open-heart surgery. stages of care they need, sounds like celebrated their 25th surgical visit to Melanie says the trips to Fiji have not she is addicted. Fiji since 1990. only saved lives, but are amongst the And it’s an addiction that the equally OHI was first established in 1985, family’s most cherished memories committed mother and wife has been and over the past 34 years, 1,700 and more importantly, helped shaped happy to share with husband Mark healthcare professionals from across Mason and Mia’s understanding of and their two, now teenagers, Mason Australia have donated their time, life. who is 17 and Mia who is 16. their expertise and their holidays “While by the end of the 10 days we to freely treat cardiac, orthopaedic, The family has volunteered with the are all often exhausted and question women’s health, ophthalmic, San supported cardiac surgery teams whether we can do it again the reconstructive and other needs of of the Open Heart International next year, it’s the life lessons we see close to 7,000 patients across 16 program, part of the often 40 happening that energises us to do it developing nations including the all again. strong mix of nurses, anaesthetists, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, surgeons, technicians and other Because when you can immerse your Cambodia, Vietnam, Rwanda and health professionals, providing life- children in something that is other Tanzania. saving cardiac surgeries on Fijian than themselves showing them the men, women, and children, who Melanie first volunteered in 1992 pleasure you get in helping others, it’s would otherwise die. as a nurse but since 2002 has been teaching them that you don’t have to have a lot of money to be well off. project leader, spending months in Sadly, Melanie says that while many advance coordinating logistics, team To just be able to be kind, nice, and Australians enjoy its beauty and members, medical equipment and help if people need it, these are really luxury resorts, venturing outside supplies from heart lung machines all the riches in life that we need… Fiji’s tourist areas expose a traumatic to panadol, liaison with local and we’ve learned this together. reality that one child in every Fijian medical teams, and helping with the And the fact that we are helping classroom is likely to be suffering fundraising critical for the trips to Fijians just like us, mums and dads, with life-threatening rheumatic heart occur. and brothers and sisters, to live disease, and 200 children are born longer lives? That’s even better.” each year with congenital heart Mark, a wardsman at the San, defects. volunteers in any role that is needed, Donate at www.ohi.org.au 12 SanNews in brief High-tech cancer room wins Australian first Medical Symposium

Dr Saurabh Gupta, Dr Vivek Kumbhari and Dr Graeme Rich Education about the growing costly

The MDT cancer room with state-of-the-art technology impact of obesity and lifestyle related The $1 million high-tech Multidisciplinary Team Conference Room of the San’s diseases, was the aim of the San Integrated Cancer Centre has been recognised for its innovative design and Hospital hosted Bariatric and Metabolic clinical excellence, winning 2 prestigious built environment and design awards. Endoscopy Symposium for medical The room allows multiple medical specialists to access patient information and specialists thought to be the first of share advice on a multi-faceted treatment plan, to improve patient outcomes. its kind. Speakers included American keynote speaker Dr Vivek Kumbhari, The Multidisciplinary Room was a San Foundation supported initiative. Want to help us to help others? Director of Bariatric Endoscopy Johns Donate at www.sanfoundation.org.au Hopkins Medicine and the San’s interventional gastroenterologist San doctors on TV Dr Saurabh Gupta. San Drs on radio 2GB

2GB presenter Steve Price with San radiologist Dr San interventional radiologist Dr Eisen Liang was a guest on Mums At The Table Christine Shearman Adventist Media’s television The San’s Health Matters segment program ‘Mums At The on radio 2GB features a range of San Table’ has featured a range health professionals sharing advice of San doctors including and information. San Health Matters endocrinologist Dr Katherine airs on Tuesday nights at 9:45 pm Benson (pictured right) and interventional radiologist on the Steve Price show. Previous Dr Eisen Liang. interviews available at Mums At The Table airs Sunday mornings at 9:30 on Channel 7 TWO www.sah.org.au/sah-news-room 13 SanNews in brief Surgeon and artist San Help Team recognised donation San surgeon Dr Gillian Dunlop has been Over $84,000 in proceeds from the recognised for excellence as an ENT surgeon SanSnax café has been donated by and a national portrait artist. Dr Dunlop has the San Help Team to the Hospital been presented with the Graham Coupland for medical equipment for the Memorial Medal from the Royal Australian Anaesthetics and Emergency College of Surgeons. Dr Dunlop’s painting departments, Level 6 Poon Ward commissions include Dame Quentin Bryce and the Cardiac Catheterisation CEO Brett Goods and Laine Conduit with Help Team and actor John Gaden. Laboratory. Manager Patrina McLean

A portrait of former Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard presents to Dr Gillian Dunlop Help Team volunteers Christmas was Merry! Thanks to kind sponsors, the December 9th San Carols featured DreamWorks movie Trolls characters Poppy and Branch, musical theatre stars Kane Alexander and Amanda Harrison and artists Emily Rex, Ardentsound, the Wahroonga Adventist School Choir and Dave Martin and the Carols Band. The event was sponsored by Goldman Plumbing, ARA Fire, St Ives Shopping Village, North Shore Personal Shopper, Johnstaff Projects, Courtyard by Marriott, Close to 4,000 carollers enjoyed the evening Snap Printing Eastwood, Kennards Hire, Verve Portraits San Clinician Engagement Manager Melissa and Chas Clarkson. Miller and her two daughters San Museum Chemo pillows NOW OPEN for patients The San’s Merritt Kellogg Museum is San staff member Melinda Happer is open to the public 10am-1pm every continuing her work with fellow craft Thursday or via appointment thanks to makers at St Pauls Anglican Church the San Help Team Volunteers. ‘Bethel’ is Wahroonga, with more than 320 the oldest original building on site and pillows donated to chemotherapy is a step back in time with a collection of or pacemaker patients to offset car photographs, medical equipment and seatbelt discomfort. Like to help? other historic hospital equipment. The team is looking for donations of Call 9487 9895. stuffing and 1-1.5 inch Velcro. Contact [email protected] Craft makers Kathleen Davey, Alice Christiaans, Diana 14 Marshall and Jane Cooper SanNews in brief ‘Regifting’ for a good cause Helping Joining global celebrations of International Women’s Day and Australia’s celebrating that over 1,700 San staff are female, the San hosted a ‘Regifting Fair’ with donations of gifts given with little kids love that might find a new home for a good cause. With an additional $1000 lead big lives added by the Hospital executive, $3,944.50 was donated to the Hornsby The San’s sister institution healthy Women’s Shelter which provides food company and maker of accommodation and refuge for Weetbix, Sanitarium Health and women facing challenges of ill health, Wellbeing, has commissioned a unemployment, homelessness or The San’s Karin Stevens, Dr Linda Thomson-Mangnall, and Rebecca Dinn celebrating for International Women’s Day report by the University of Notre domestic violence issues. Dame recommending that how to maximise kids health is through love, Helping educate Nepalese children care, encouragement, playtime and movement, nutritious food and quality sleep. See www.sanitarium.com.au/biglives Sewers or sewing supplies needed

Neroli Seberry and Bhumlutar school students Despite the loss of much loved former San Nurse Unit Manager Glenys Chapman, friend, colleague, and co-humanitarian San Clinical Nurse Specialist Neroli Seberry is building on her legacy with the continuation of the ‘United for Education’ program. Fundraising to provide Nepalese children with an education to end the cycle of poverty, only $120 per year provides a uniform and education for kindergarten to year 10, and $240 per year for year 11 and 12 students. Contact [email protected] Close to 4,000 carollers enjoyed the evening San new graduate nurses An activity blanket Wanting to help soothe, distract and manage dementia patients, the San’s Cognition Nurse Team provide colourful and tactile Activity Blankets with bows, buttons, zippers and other tactile elements that have been proven to help calm patients. Sadly with an increasing incidence of dementia more blankets and material are always needed. The 19 new graduates with San New Graduate Coordinator Karen Jessop (right) Contact [email protected] or With more graduate nurses than any other private hospital on the one campus, 9487 9552 (Tue,Wed,Fri) 19 new nurses have been chosen from over 400 applicants for the San’s 12 month New Graduate Program which provides them with the mentoring and the critical hands-on expertise needed for long term employment. 15 Hospital happenings

San Help Team Remembrance Day Poppies

Promoting Antibiotics San staff Merry Christmas Awareness Week videos

San Foundation supports Chinese New Year celebrations San Radiology’s Chinese New Year Dragon boat team

San staff appreciated with a free meal

San staff share insights through Mission Minutes videos www.sah.org.au/news-detail?id=883

San Staff help serve homeless at The Dish San Help Team High Tea Thank you

Like to help us to help others? Your support enables us to maintain and extend our care services to all those most in need. Help us make a difference. Contact: Managing Director Karen Gair. p: 02 9487 9405 e: [email protected] w: www.sanfoundation.org.au San Foundation ABN 73 479 353 649 Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible

For the latest in news from the San A teaching hospital of Partner in nursing education Proudly supported by

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