Join us in a conversation about reimagining influence and how it can happen in many ways.
From the smallest action to change a way of thinking to larger initiatives that change policy, we all have a role to play. Combining the knowledge of people with lived experience with those working across health and research sectors, the potential to create change and ultimately improve patient outcomes becomes a reality.
Effective engagement is not only about involvement; it is how the involvement influences outcomes. This interactive Forum includes presentations with case-studies of influence and partnerships, breakout group discussions on the practical ways to gain influence through effective engagement
The objectives of the forum include:
Raise awareness of spheres of influence
Showcase case studies on how consumers influence research, clinical care, and policy
Discuss practical techniques and ways to influence through effective engagement
Think strategically on how to influence with current resourcing.
Dr Jane Tiller, a lawyer, genetic counsellor and public health researcher, has been instrumental in leading the case for a ban on genetic discrimination by life insurance companies. With draft legislation now released by the Australian Government with introduction to Parliament imminent, learn about the campaign Jane led as part of her role as the Ethical, Legal and Social Adviser in Public Health Genomics at Monash University.
Rebecca Barbara is a registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical experience, previously serving as a Clinical Nurse Educator. She is a passionate advocate for consumer partnerships in healthcare, leading the Lived Experience Advisor Program (LEAP) at Western Health. Rebecca is dedicated to addressing consumer-clinician power imbalances, recognising lived experience as a form of expertise, and fostering meaningful partnerships across diverse communities. Under her leadership, LEAP has expanded, employing lived experience advisors across multiple projects to drive more consumer-focused outcomes.
Melissa Richings is part of the LEAP program at Western Health, which integrates subject matter expertise with lived experiences. She helps drive improvements in care and consumer participation to ensure that the voices of consumers are heard and respected. Western Health is the first health service to integrate lived experience roles into mainstream healthcare.
A/Prof Cox received his PhD from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 2009 and undertook postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. During this time, he developed zebrafish models of liver regeneration and liver cancer. These studies led to discovery that the Hippo pathway reprograms metabolism to fuel oncogenic growth. In 2016, he was recruited to Peter Mac to establish his laboratory. A/Prof Cox has been the recipient of fellowships from the American Liver Foundation, the NHMRC, and the Victorian Cancer Agency.
David Thomas is an artist and has held public and private collections nationally and internationally. He holds a PhD from RMIT University where he is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Art. After receiving a liver transplant in 2012, he retired in 2017 from academia to care for his wife, who lived with terminal cancer until her passing in 2019.
Registration opens at 9.30am. Light lunch provided for in person attendees.
