Background and Inspiration: 
Originally I embarked in a sport-related career with a particular interest in the science of conditioning and adaptation for sporting performance. Over time, after working with a mixture of athletes, my interests tuned towards exploring the cognitive benefits of exercise in corporate settings, spurred by emerging evidence.

As exercise physiology evolved, I diversified by skills and interests to include clinical assessment, exercise prescription and behaviour change coaching in rehabilitative settings.

My career has included private practice, occupational health and rural & remote settings; and having seen exercise physiology grow from it’s inception, my inspiration is to continue advocating and building our effectiveness and reputation as an important cog in the allied health care system.

Qualifications:
My CV reads very much as a patchwork quilt. Having lived and worked through many transitions in the industries of fitness and exercise, I have seen, researched, trained in, experienced and evaluated an array of fitness related fads, fashions, facts and principals. A diverse range of contexts, client bases, conditions; an enjoyment of working with humans across the lifespan and from different walks of life; experience with exercise (and non-exercise, for that matter) equipment, excuses, making mistakes; and an adaptable growth mindset make me uniquely suited to the practice of exercise physiology.

Passions within the field:
Ultimately exercise is good for most people, and capable of improving the lives of most who engage in it. I am paradoxically passionate about measuring and improving performance, irrespective of baseline capacity and regardless of disease state, yet understand that the benefits of exercise may transcend traditional performance measurement in some (even many) cases. I am most passionate then about providing exercise solutions that are sustainable, achievable and effective, however that is measured; and am most enthused in my work when well-thought-out approaches to exercise provides people with restoration of hope and belief.

Personal Hobbies:
Aside from participating in different forms of exercise and movement, I enjoy learning new songs, sounds and techniques on my bass guitars, camping and exploring different regions of Australia, and chasing fish and squid from our beaches and jetties around the state.

Background and Inspiration: 
I am a Registered Nurse and Credentialled Diabetes Educator. I have been a Registered Nurse for 14 years and a Diabetes Educator for 10 years.

I work in private practice and employed as an Associate Lecturer at Flinders University – teaching undergraduate nursing students and working at the Health2Go clinic as a Diabetes Educator.

Qualifications:
I am the ADEA Chair for South Australia, a member of the ADEA CDE Advisory Group and currently studying Master of Nurse Practitioner at Flinders University. I was awarded 2023 CDE of the Year in SA.

Passions within the field:
I have a passion to teach diabetes self-management to people living with diabetes and mentoring new diabetes educators.

Personal Hobbies:
My interests are baking and going for walks with my husband and staffy, Minnie.

Background and Inspiration: 
I have been a registered nurse for over 20 years. I worked in a variety a clinical areas prior to spending 14 years in the Paediatric Emergency Department at the Women’s and Children’s hospital. During that time, I completed a Masters degree, becoming the first Nurse Practitioner in Paediatric Emergency in South Australia.

After having 2 children, I began work on a research project with Flinders University, working with children living in homelessness. This prompted the move from the hospital setting to working with children in Health2Go.

Qualifications:
Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing. Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner).

Currently studying a Master of Health and Clinical Research with the aim to upgrade to PhD, researching the role of the Nurse Practitioner in child development.

Passions within the field:
I am passionate about helping families navigate the complex health system. I often meet families who feel unheard. I believe it is important to provide a safe environment for families to talk about their concerns and help them access appropriate services.

Personal Hobbies:
I love spending time at the beach with my family and 2 border collies.

Background and Inspiration: 
Optometry really appealed to me early on due to the physics behind the eyes and vision. After working in the field as a clinician for a few years, I quickly realised how fast the field was evolving with the addition of new technology, so I went on to do research at Flinders University where I can keep learning and improving my skills and knowledge.

Qualifications:
I completed her optometry degree at Flinders University in 2015 and was a part of one of the first cohorts to graduate from Flinders. During my studies, I did part of my placements at Flinders Vision, which has now evolved into Health 2 Go, and have now come full circle and now work here as a clinician! In 2017 I also began my research career at Flinders University, mainly looking into the genetics of glaucoma.

Passions within the field:
My main passion is glaucoma, in particular the genetics causes of glaucoma. Throughout my career, I’ve seen many patients who have not realised they have glaucoma, an eye condition which results in tunnel vision. My goal is to better educate our communities about eye conditions and hopefully design better screening methods so we can detect these conditions earlier, allowing for earlier treatment.

Personal Hobbies:
I started running a few years ago and have really enjoyed it. Apart from keeping me fit, it is also a great excuse for me to buy new shoes regularly and allows me to not feel so guilty about having dessert!

Background and Inspiration: 
I graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry in 2018 having completed part of my training in many regional communities in Australia and internationally.

After completing my degree, I moved to Port Augusta to work in an independent optometry practice providing culturally safe primary ocular care to almost the entire northern region of South Australia. I gained extensive experience in diagnosing and managing a wide range of eye diseases while working closely with local health care providers and visiting ophthalmologists.

My own optometrist inspired me throughout my childhood to enter this field hoping to bring clear vision to people as she did for me.

Qualifications:
I am an therapeutically endorsed clinical optometrist. Having worked alongside ophthalmologists with specialities in ocular oncology, vitreoretinal, medical retina and paediatrics I have gained extensive experience in the management and treatment of ocular conditions.

Passions within the field:
Disease wise, vitreoretinal and ocular oncology are a key passion of mine as they can often be very sight threatening and also readily treated majority of the time.

Shaping optometry’s future is also a key passion of mine. I do this by dividing my time between supervising and lecturing at Flinders University, sharing her passion and knowledge of ocular diseases and inspiring optometry students. As well as bringing her experience to a political level as a director on the board of Optometry Victoria/South Australia.

Personal Hobbies:
When I’m not in the consulting room I enjoy spending time at the park with my husband and dog or setting off on my next adventure.

Background and Inspiration: 
I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2012 and commenced working as a lecturer at Flinders in 2016. My passion for education quickly grew into a more permanent role at the university and has allowed me to pursue my other passion for improving timely access to eye health care for all South Australian’s.

I am the co-author and lead optometrist for the Collaborative Eye Care Project for Ophthalmology project at SALHN which sees public health patients examined in Health2Go’s student led clinics with the aim to improve access to preventative eye health care. This program was awarded a 2023 Nexus grant and I am currently undertaking a PhD looking at the benefits of this innovative model of care.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Optometry

Master of Clinical Optometry

PhD Candidate

World Council of Optometry’s program in advocacy

Passions within the field:
I have a keen interest in improving timely access to eye health care in Australia, and recently developed an innovative model of care to start seeing public ophthalmology patients in the student-led optometry clinics at Health2Go. This model of care has the added benefit of ensuring the final year optometry students are exposed to a rich placement program at Heallth2Go to ensure they are well equipped once they graduate. I

n 2023, I was accepted in the World Council of Optometry program in leadership and advocacy, with the aim to continue to advocate for better eye health outcomes for patients and diverse placement experiences for students.

Personal Hobbies:
In my spare time, I like to spend it camping and bike riding with my husband and two young sons.

Background and Inspiration: 
I started my career in Optometry at the Australian College of Optometry in Victoria where I gained experience across multiple areas, such as ocular disease, paediatric optometry, contact lenses, outreach aged care, homeless and Aboriginal health services.

I also began supervising University students in Melbourne and developed a passion for teaching. When I moved back to Adelaide, I was inspired to start my teaching career with Flinders Optometry in 2021. I consult and supervise the Optometry students at the University clinic Health2Go.

Qualifications:
B.MedSci(VisSci)/M.Optometry, ACCV, CACL

Optometrist

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Specialist (Clinical/Practitioner))

Optometry and Vision SciencePassions within the field:
I am particularly interested in Ocular disease (Diabetes, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Cataract), children’s vision, outreach and Aboriginal services and being a student supervisor.

Personal Hobbies:
I enjoy hiking and playing tennis with my husband.

Background and Inspiration: 
My journey into optometry and vision sciences began with a deep interest in the complexities of human vision and the impact of eye health on overall well-being.

My professional history includes extensive research and clinical work, particularly focused on preventing blinding eye diseases among vulnerable populations in Australia, such as Indigenous Australians and rural communities.

What inspired me to embark on this career path was the profound difference that improving eye health can make in people's lives, especially among those who are most vulnerable or have limited access to healthcare services.

Qualifications:
I hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Flinders University in the College of Medicine and Public Health, a Graduate Certificate in Public Health for Optometry from the Australian College of Optometry, a Master of Optometry, and a Bachelor of Medical Science from Flinders University.

My unique suitability to this field stems from my hands-on experience as a research and teaching lecturer at Flinders University, a visiting remote eye care specialist, and my involvement in various research projects aimed at improving eye health among disadvantaged groups.

Passions within the field:
I am most passionate about addressing eye health inequities and finding effective ways to prevent blindness, especially among Indigenous Australians, rural populations, and socioeconomically deprived groups.

My work is driven by the desire to understand the epidemiology, sociodemographic, biological, genetic, and epigenetic aspects of blinding eye diseases and to develop innovative models of eye care for early detection and prevention.

Personal Hobbies:
My partner and I just had our first baby, Javier. So not many hobbies other than spending as much time as possible with him! Outside of this I play soccer and enjoy watching sports in general (go crows!)

Background and Inspiration: 
My journey into the field of optometry commenced in 2005, with my initial position was at an Eye Centre in Michigan with 5 ophthalmologists and 1 optometrist. It was during this time that my fascination with advanced contact lens fitting ignited, as I worked closely with an optometrist who had a focus in this area. This experience marked the beginning of my professional voyage into optometry and contact lenses.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have exceptional mentors from ophthalmology, optometry, and contact lens fitting. These mentors played a pivotal role in shaping my skills and knowledge, providing valuable guidance and enriching my professional development.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science)

Master of Optometry

Passions within the field:
Working with children is extremely rewarding and, more importantly, lots of fun.

Personal Hobbies:
I cherish moments with my husband and two daughters. My personal interests include exploring the outdoors, tending to the garden, cooking/baking, and engaging in a variety of sports.

Background and Inspiration: 
I began my career working in rural South Australia, where I gained experience and developed interests in a number of areas of Optometry, including general clinic, ocular disease diagnosis and management, low vision and effective interprofessional practice.

I returned to Adelaide in 2020 to continue working as an Optometrist in metropolitan Adelaide and also began my journey as an Academic at Flinders University. I also enjoy my role as an Eye Health Educator, where I spend time travelling to educate communities on eye health.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry from Flinders University in 2016, with the Paediatric Clinical Optometry Award.

Passions within the field:
I am deeply passionate about delivering high quality eye care to all and empowering the community to take control of their eye health.

Personal Hobbies:
I have a 2.5-year-old boy who I love spending time with, and another baby set to join the family in June 2024. I enjoy playing netball and planning family holidays.

Background and Inspiration: 
Commencing my Midwifery studies in 2002 at Flinders University marked the beginning of an amazing and enriching journey in Midwifery. With over two decades of dedicated service, I've had the privilege of caring for women and families across the state, witnessing the profound impact of Midwifery care first hand.

Following the completion of my graduate program, I devoted 11 years to Midwifery Group Practice, a model of care that provides continuity of care for women and families across diverse backgrounds. This role included delivering care in birthing centres and facilitating home births, providing holistic care throughout the childbirth journey.

Transitioning into various clinical roles within SA Health after embracing my own motherhood journey further broadened my scope of practice. These experiences reinforced my commitment to delivering exemplary Midwifery care across varied contexts, advocating for every woman to receive tailored care and support aligned with their unique needs.

In 2019, I embarked on a new chapter by joining Flinders University as a Midwifery lecturer and teaching specialist, where I contribute to shaping the next generation of skilled Midwives. Balancing my academic responsibilities with ongoing clinical practice allows me to remain deeply connected to the evolving landscape of Midwifery care

Qualifications:
I am honoured to have been among the pioneering cohort of graduates from the Bachelor of Midwifery program in South Australia, a pivotal milestone that recognised Midwifery as a distinct profession, independent of its previous association solely with nursing.

I have pursued postgraduate studies in education and specialised training in Midwifery Prescribing and diagnostics. These endeavours have equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of Midwifery practice and education.

Continuing my pursuit in academic achievement, I recently completed a Bachelor of Health Science Honours degree. My research project focused on the experiences of Autistic women accessing maternity care in Australia. A area I hope to continue exploring through research.

Passions within the field:
What continues to drive my passion for Midwifery is the diversity of each day. Even after two decades, the wonder of pregnancy remains a source of inspiration, reminding me of the profound privilege there is in supporting women at this time in their life. I am unwavering in my dedication to advocating for women's autonomy in accessing comprehensive care, recognising the impact of this on both maternal well-being and the broader family unit for decades to come.

Building upon my postgraduate studies, my driving passion revolves around providing safe, inclusive care tailored to meet the individual needs of those accessing maternity services. This commitment not only fuels my ongoing research endeavours but informs my approach to teaching the next generation of Midwives enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery program at Flinders University. 

Personal Hobbies:
When I am not here in the Health2Go clinic or teaching, I am on the beach with my husband and our children soaking up the sun and sea air.

Background and Inspiration: 
I started working as an Optical Dispenser in 1994, beginning my career at OPSM and then moving to a smaller independent optometry business. During the early 2000’s, I took a break from optics for five years and moved to the Middle East, where I worked as Cabin Crew for Gulf Air. I moved back to Adelaide, initially working as an Optical Dispenser before progressing to store management roles and then in Technical Support/Marketing for ZEISS, an optical lens manufacturer. In 2019, I joined the team at Flinders Health2Go.

Health2Go Experience:
The thing I enjoy most about working at Health2Go is without a doubt the people. The range of services on offer brings a diverse range of people into the clinic – no two days are the same! Quite a few of our customers have been with us for many years, it’s great getting to know them and build relationships.

Health2Go Team:
We are fortunate to have a very supportive and close-knit team at Health2Go. The great blend of fun and professionalism, creates an atmosphere that is enjoyable for our staff, students, and customers.

Personal Hobbies:
When I’m not at work, I enjoy visiting getting out and visiting local wineries and restaurants with my husband, my two kids and our dog. Unfortunately, I’m far too un-coordinated to play sport, but I enjoy watching AFL (especially Adelaide Crows matches) and Formula One racing on TV.

Background and Inspiration: 
I started my career as an Optical Dispenser with OPSM in 1988 working across different stores and gaining experience in the world of Optics. Over the next few years, I worked across many stores in different locations, then found my way into management roles in smaller stores and progressed into management roles in larger stores. I then applied for a Regional Operations Manager role with the Luxottica Group and was successful in securing that role. I spent ten years managing multiple stores across different regions including South Australia, The Norther Territory and Western Australia for both the OPSM and Laubman and Pank brands. All these different roles taught me a lot about business management, managing large teams of people and about leadership.

In 2014 I left the Luxotttica Group to take on the role of Clinic Manager for Flinders Vision and at Flinders University. This was a unique opportunity to build a new team and new business from scratch in the way that it should be done, with patients and students as the core focus. In 2019 Flinders Vision expanded into and Allied Health service and was rebranded to Flinders Health2Go. Health2Go has now expanded to offer ten Allied Health services in the one location.

Health2Go Experience:
Without doubt the best part of my role is getting to work every day with an amazing and talented group of people that work day to day in Health2Go. I also love having the opportunity to help people in the community improve their health outcomes and to help students learn and grow on their own journeys.

Health2Go Team:
We have a great team of professional staff and around thirty-five clinical staff that help deliver services both at Health2Go and in other locations around SA. There is a great balance of professionalism, humour, and good-natured banter in the team at Health2Go and this is something that is personally important to me. From years of experience, I know that having great team of people who work well together and have each other backs really is important and I think it’s really evident when you walk into a business, and it lacks that feeling. So were very lucky to have such amazing people working at Health2Go.

Personal Hobbies:
Love sports of all kinds, soccer being one particular sport that I’ve invested a lot of time in, both playing when I was younger and more watching these days. Love to ride my mountain bike and spend time with my beautiful wife and daughters.

Background and Inspiration: 
I started working in the Optical industry in 1990 and continued to work on and off for over 30 years as an optical dispenser & Store manager. From 2000 I worked for 6 years in the airline industry as a Flight Atendant with Qantas Airways, and In 2015 I moved into the Audiology industry, initially as a Customer service officer which quickly turned into a training role. I was then given the opportunity to take on the role of Customer Service Manager, where I was responsible for managing a large number of customer service officers across clinics in both Victoria & Tasmania.

I relocated to South Australia in early 2020, and continued working in an Allied Health field. In 2023 I was inspired to take the position at Flinders Health2Go as I knew I’d have the opportunity to apply previous skills gained in these industries to this role.

Health2Go Experience:
Absolutely has to be working with a great bunch of talented people, and the opportunity to help both patients and students to deliver excellent outcomes, while learning new skills in different disciplines along the way.

Health2Go Team:
The team at Health2Go are professional, diverse and have a great sense of humour, which enables us to work well within our team, and ensures we provide excellent service in all areas of the business.

Personal Hobbies:
I enjoy getting out in my garden, eating good food, and spending time with my husband and 2 daughters.