Why are you nominating for a position on the ASA Board? 

Over the past few years, I have had discussions with colleagues, medical staff and non-imaging people regarding Ultrasound as a profession around the directions I feel would be beneficial and how it could continue to grow and develop. I am applying a position on the board so that I can not only talk about change, future development, and the strengthening of this amazing profession, but be part of facilitating this growth for the current and the next generation of Sonographers.

What key experience and learnings would you utilise in the role as Board Director?

I will draw on my 18 years of experience in Medical Imaging as well as previous experience running kitchens (yes this was quite a career change). The last 8 years in my current role as Head of Ultrasound gives me a great base of knowledge and a varied breath of experience to bring to the board. I have a collaborative mindset and open approach to issue. My time as both a member and more recently Chair of the Uni SA Medical Sonography Postgraduate Program Advisory Group gives me an insight into wider issues facing the profession and a unique view on training and qualification issues that I see will be paramount to the profession in the near future. I have a collaborative approach and look forward to being part of shaping the future of Ultrasound and Sonographers roles.

What does good governance mean to you and what do you think are some of the key governance-related issues currently facing ASA?

Good governance is acting in a transparent manner while meeting the need of all stakeholders. In the role as board directors this includes Sonographers as well as external departments that turn to the ASA as the peak body for Ultrasound for advice and expert opinion. Integrity, innovation, and a common goal I believe will set a board up for making a difference and for continuing to allow a profession to grow and develop. This is especially important as we navigate beyond the last few years which has provided unprecedented challenges. The ASA has always been held in high regard and I would work hard to maintain this integrity and build the profession moving forwards. I believe the current key is rest with Sonographer registration under AHPRA creating the building blocks to further strengthen Sonography as a unique profession.

Is there any other information you would like to provide us?

I am passionate about enhancing the profession of ultrasound by supporting Sonographers. Advocating for change progression and education to allow the profession to continue growing and recognising the unique position we are in as Sonographers in the patient journey as well as the responsibility of a profession that is dependent on the skills and integrity of its members to provide information that will guide clinical decision making and ultimately enhance the patient journey. I look forward to hopefully being a part of a dynamic and focused board.

Why are you nominating for a position on the ASA Board? 

I wish to nominate myself for the position as Director of the ASA Board in the upcoming 2022 election. With a passion for patient centred healthcare and sonography, I am motivated to contribute to the profession in a way that improves the quality of diagnostic services and patient outcomes, whilst supporting sonographers to thrive as professionals. As this aligns with ASA’s core purpose and as I’ve had a positive term as a casual Board Director position since February of this year, I believe I am a good fit for the role and am motivated to continue on for another term.

In my current position, I am a Specialist Sonographer and Senior Radiographer at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH). Recently I acted in the same role within the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). In these positions for South Australia Medical Imaging (SAMI), I have directed and worked collaboratively with a number of sonographers, radiographers, new graduates, students, medical staff, other health professionals and clerical staff in successfully imaging a wide spectrum of patients to a high standard. These roles demand effective communication skills, resilience, the ability to be adaptive and innovative, and ability to work effectively in a high pressure environment. Additionally, I have successfully fulfilled roles and tasks assigned to Head Sonographers, and have been involved in a number of workplace initiatives for the ultrasound department to improve the delivery of the US service. Throughout this time, I have maintained a high standard of professional practice and integrity— guided by the ASA’s code of conduct and standards of practice, the Code of Ethics for South Australian Public Sector, SA Government legislation and departmental policies.

What key experience and learnings would you utilise in the role as Board Director?

Clinically at the WCH, I have been fortunate to learn from some very experienced sonographers and am establishing myself as one of the core paediatric specialists within the department. Though I enjoy this role, I also enjoy leadership and management and believe continuing to contribute as a Director on the ASA board is a good use of my growing experience. Whilst working for SAMI, I have established a good foundation of managerial experience through my contributions to the establishment of US services at a ‘public hospital avoidance’ site, contribution to the move of the ultrasound department to the nRAH, involvement in Head of Modality/ Management meetings at the RAH, authoritative feedback to the SAMI wide Head Sonographer committee, active professional development with leadership and management courses, and quality improvement initiatives at both the RAH and WCH. Since being appointed as a casual Director on the ASA board in February of this year, I have been able to build upon this experience. During this time, I have established positive relationships with other board members, developed working relationships with ASA’s operational staff and formed an understanding of the role of a Board Director within an non-for-profit organisation. This experience has given me valuable insight into organisational strategy and how to effectively implement it, methods of promoting our members, the value of data and responsibility of being well informed when making decisions, the importance of a strong human resource structure and processes, a good sense of financial responsibility, and a new appreciation for operational matters (i.e., from a more senior perspective). As a result of my currency on the Board, I benefit from being across ongoing organisational matters, our financial position and our intended future direction. If elected for the next term, I will continue to develop in the role and seek to increase my involvement with Board subcommittees—so to contribute more to our association.

What does good governance mean to you and what do you think are some of the key governance-related issues currently facing ASA?

My idea of good governance within a non-for-profit organisation involves a clear purpose, an effective future strategy, effective and efficient stewardship of the organisation with consideration of good financial management, high ethical standards, accountability and the ability to engage participation. This perspective guides my actions as a Board member. Through my time with the Board, I have come to further understand how good governance needs to be applied in all aspects of what we do, but especially with issues relating to gaining and retaining members, actively supporting members in their workplace, engaging sonographers in the ASA’s educational events/ resources, supporting the training of future sonographers, effective sonographer advocacy, working towards national regulation of sonographers in Australia, ensuring a positive workplace culture exists within our offices and the effective running of the ASA. 

Is there any other information you would like to provide us?

If successful in the upcoming election I look forward to continuing my contribution to the governance of the ASA, ensuring the issues above are addressed and supporting our association.

Why are you nominating for a position on the ASA Board? 

I am nominating myself for a position on the ASA Board of Directors as I would like to further my career as a Sonographer, in the broader aspect of the industry. I believe I can achieve this by becoming a more integral part of the ASA. I would like to advocate for other Sonographers, specifically in regards to the area of our physical health, by promoting further understanding of our profession to the general public as well as other healthcare professionals. 

What key experience and learnings would you utilise in the role as Board Director?

The experience that I can bring to this role includes insight into how both the public and practice sectors work in New Zealand, having worked for both since my Healthcare career began in 2011. Although I am relatively new in my Sonography career, I hope to bring eagerness and enthusiasm to achieve positive change in the challenging areas of our field that more seasoned Sonographers may have accepted as the normal, or too difficult to elicit change, but are areas in which we deserve to be recognised and appreciated for. I have learnt early on as a Sonographer that we must be strong advocates for our own safety, and that there is poor understanding from managers and other healthcare staff in the challenges that Sonographers may face in our daily practice, such as injury from scanning, time pressures, abuse from patients and support people, just to name a few of the many issues. 

What does good governance mean to you and what do you think are some of the key governance-related issues currently facing ASA?

I would like to promote more understanding from our colleges and the general public and what we actually do as Sonographers- in hope that we gain more respect for our profession. Good governance to me, means the promotion and support of safety and well-being of Sonographers, to enable us to perform our roles to the best of our ability and safely so, while having support to continually grow and improve. 

Is there any other information you would like to provide us?

I endeavour to challenge myself to continue growing in all areas of Sonography, and I believe that being able to be more involved in the ASA, by being on the board of directors, will allow me to have more of an ability to promote positive change for other Sonographers.

Why are you nominating for a position on the ASA Board? 

I am applying for this position as a reflection of my passion for helping to build the sonography profession to the level of recognition it deserves. I am especially keen to learn more about what drives the profession, and about what I can do to help advocate for the role of sonographers – particularly now, given the rapidly changing face of medical diagnosis with advancing technologies.

What key experience and learnings would you utilise in the role as Board Director?

My key experiences and learnings which will support me in my role as Board Director stem primarily from my time in busy tertiary public imaging departments, as well as my education and research degrees, which have built my knowledge and understanding of sonographer education, skills development, and educational institution workings. As Program Director, I work with a strong team of sonography academics, and have led the development, accreditation, and implementation of new specialist sonography programs at the University of South Australia, following extensive consultation with key industry stakeholders. Within this role, I have been elected to our Academic Unit Board, which involves working with senior University management for policy reviews and amendments. Recent participation with a large research team, who worked to build the new set of competency standards, afforded me the chance to see what was being identified across the country as vital attributes, skills, and knowledge for developing and upskilling sonographers.

What does good governance mean to you and what do you think are some of the key governance-related issues currently facing ASA?

Good governance within the ASA supports the review and advancement of the role of sonographers in Australia and New Zealand. It is essential that responsibility is taken to do this with consultation with members, and with demonstrable equity, accountability, and transparency.

Is there any other information you would like to provide us?

Current key governance-related issues facing the ASA align strongly with my key passions for Australasian sonographers. Most notably, these include advocacy for the profession, and building education, research, and guideline and policy development for professional accountability as well as giving sonographers even more reason to feel proud to play a role in this profession.

Why are you nominating for a position on the ASA Board? 

I would like to be a nominee for the ASA board of directors. I would like to apply in order to become more engaged in our community and to learn something new. I may be able to bring some fresh ideas for governance moving forward once I have obtained a more comprehensive understanding of the role and what we are facing as a team. E.g., Client expectations, radiologists and patient advocate/health and disability commissioner.

What key experience and learnings would you utilise in the role as Board Director?

I have a background in branch management and set-up in both veterinary and private medical imaging practices. I have gained sonographer work experience in both large and small private radiology practices and in district health board radiology departments (Auckland and Whanganui). In these roles I have assisted in teaching sonography students and have performed practical assessments for students sitting the Auckland University course. I am an active volunteer and committee member for Riding for the Disabled (RDA) which is a community charity organisation.

What does good governance mean to you and what do you think are some of the key governance-related issues currently facing ASA?

Good governance to me is gained through easy-to-follow rules/guidelines that ensure compliance giving members the ability to provide a comprehensive service whilst ensuring they are fully supported. It gives members a framework to guide best practice and continued learning.  We are all human and to quote Pope “to err is to be human”. Some of the obstacles we face as a team currently are poor or dated systems that need addressing for member safety which will in turn have a positive effect on patient safety and wellbeing. The mental health of our members due to added patient anxiety and expectations fuelled in part by social media and the covid pandemic.

Is there any other information you would like to provide us?

I am keen to learn and gain new experiences. I work well in team settings and am also self-motivated. I believe I can assist ASA and its members to tackle current and future issues presented to our collective body. Thank you for taking the time to consider me for nomination.

Why are you nominating for a position on the ASA Board? 

I am nominating for re- election as an ASA board director, continuing to volunteer my time and skills to the important work of the Board. As an ASA director since 2017 and President since December 2019, I understand the unique requirements of this role especially the focus on the Association Strategy, Governance and Financial position.  

What key experience and learnings would you utilise in the role as Board Director?

During my previous role as director, I have built good working relationships with my fellow directors and our Chief executive officer Jodie Long. As well I understand the annual cycle of the boards work, preparing the different items through the calendar year such as reviewing the annual operating budget, or preparing for the Annual general meeting.  I have undertaken the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course during 2020 and this provided excellent and comprehensive teaching on the aspects of company boards, governance, and key requirements for a director. Additionally, my past experience as a manager and sonographer has also provided skills that support the director role.  

What does good governance mean to you and what do you think are some of the key governance-related issues currently facing ASA?

Governance includes accountability, transparency, fairness and responsibility where all decision making is for the best of the organisation, without conflicts such as self-interest, personal gain or misadventure prevail. I believe member-based associations such as the face similar governance issues. Ensuring the people and resources are available to support compliance, risk and audit requirements are essential. We have simple income streams to support these activities along with all our member education and services as well as our strategic aims. 

Is there any other information you would like to provide us?

Over the last few years of upheaval due to the COVID pandemic, the board has worked to support the terrific initiatives from Jodie Long and the office team. As we emerge and continue the current and exiting programs and strategies, I believe consistency of board personal and tenure is essential.