Aboriginal Health Service: meet our newest team members We recently sat down with new staff members in the Aboriginal Health Service team to find out about their roles and what they are focused on for the year ahead. The team works across the district and advocates for better health outcomes through the implementation of policies and local strategic health plans.
Gillian Adidi, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Manager “My role is to attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across the district. “We need to create more employment opportunities and have developed a talent pool to attract people from the community who are interested in working at NSW Health, especially in our district. “My aim is to create identified and targeted positions with vacancies, to match with talent pool applicants. “This will assist our district to provide culturally safe work environments and also assist in providing the best possible health outcomes for our mob.”
Adam Cryer, Project Manager, Community Inclusion and Capacity Building “My role involves providing the local Aboriginal community with opportunities to work with support services on how they can increase their engagement with, and their capacity to, service our mob in the district. “One of the big things we want to do is map out hidden community because we know there are a lot of Aboriginal people across the Northern Sydney region who aren’t connecting with services. “We want to raise awareness of what services are out there and what they need to better engage with our communities. “I am really looking forward to getting back in touch with the community and mob.” Melinda Flower, Aboriginal Liaison Officer
“I am a Torres Strait Islander (Miriam) and Aboriginal (Kalkadoon) woman, who has extensive experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, in both health and education. “My role involves visiting patients and providing Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural support and advocacy. “In addition, I am also available to work with staff in implementing culturally safe service delivery. “I love working at NSLHD. The staff are brilliant. It’s a wonderful place to work.”
Mervyn Holmes-Wighton, Aboriginal Population Health Trainee “I am taking part in a three year NSW Health traineeship. I am also studying a Masters of Public Health at UNSW. “I was uncertain as to where I wanted to be in my career. I was working as a registered nurse for three years before I applied for this position. “I would like to specialise and eventually become a nurse practitioner and service rural and remote communities. “I am from Condobolin, so I understand there’s significant disadvantages with being in a rural and remote community. “I think it would be beneficial to be an advocate for that population and provide support to my fellow community members.”
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 7 | 16 APRIL 2021
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