 |  | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE No health without a health workforce |
Today is International Nurses Day. The global theme, and that of this special edition of Alliance - Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health - is a call to action to protect and elevate the profession for the benefit of us all. Florence Nightingale - considered to be the founder of modern nursing, was born on this day in May 1820.
Something that has always stood out for me is Nightingale’s place in history as a nurse scientist. She was a prodigious leader and an advocate for evidence-based healthcare, collecting and using data to carry out her system-changing work. Long before the age of infographics, she communicated her ideas through charts and diagrams, making data accessible and persuasive.
In this edition of Alliance our Chair, Emeritus Professor Linda Kristjanson acknowledges International Nurses Day by reflecting on the legacy of Florence Nightingale. She is joined by other nurse leaders from across the VCCC Alliance who comment on the importance of data gathering, and how the right investment can protect and develop the nursing profession to thrive – whilst safeguarding the health and wellbeing of patients and communities worldwide. | | |
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Latest News |  |
 | Award recognises a collective effort for cancer research Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and VCCC Alliance were jointly awarded the organisational award for an outstanding contribution to Health and Research last night at The Committee for Melbourne’s prestigious 2022 Melbourne Achiever Awards. The awards were presented to our executive director Professor Grant McArthur and Professor Shelley Dolan, Chief Executive of Peter Mac, by Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Committee for Melbourne Patron. | | |
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 | Remembering the Lady with the Lamp Emeritus Professor Linda Kristjanson AO, VCCC Alliance Chair When I was nine years old, my Icelandic grandmother (Amma), gave me a book for Christmas called, Nurses Who Led the Way. That treasured and tattered book has travelled with me across continents. There are no accounts of women in starched uniforms or obedient handmaidens. These are stories of spirited nurses who cared for the dying, healed shattered soldiers, improved sanitation, and reformed health care. | | |
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 | A call to action for nurses and the systems surrounding them Professor Meinir Krishnasamy, Director, Academic Nursing Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and VCCC Alliance Research & Education Lead, Cancer Nursing
The theme of this year’s International Nurse’s Day - Nurses: A Voice to Lead - invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health - demands an investment be made in nursing to secure equity of opportunity for health - for all people wherever they are and whatever their circumstances. To achieve this, the voice of nurses and nursing must be strengthened at hospital, community, and policy levels. | | |
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 | Supporting career advancement with a new nurse professional practice model Trevor Saunders, Clinical Nurse Educator, Academic Nursing Unit at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Health care delivery has changed enormously over the course of this century with increasing complexity, rising costs, inequities in access, the increasing burden of chronic illnesses and health professional workforce shortages. Paralleling these changes has been the rapid advancement of cancer science, improved treatment and outcomes, and a growing population of cancer survivors.
Peter Mac is developing a new professional practice model that aims to support nurses according to the values and motivations that drew them to the profession. | | |
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 | Maximising the influence of nursing to reduce the global burden of cancer Andrew Dimech, acting Chief Nurse, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Board member of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care
Since its establishment in 1984, the vision of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) has been to lead the global nursing community in cancer control, with a mission to maximise the influence of nursing to reduce the global burden of cancer.
As Chair of the ISNCC Member Development Committee, I have worked alongside committee members to support the development of national and regional cancer nursing societies to help build capacity in cancer nursing and cancer nursing leadership. | | |
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 | Introducing the VCCC Alliance New brand awareness campaign Have you seen our new VCCC Alliance brand awareness campaign popping up in your social media feeds or on medical news sites? The campaign is about helping people to understand what we are - a building? a precinct? a new name for Peter Mac? – hint, none of those.
The aim is to improve understanding of who is part of the alliance, and our place in the cancer medical research and health system. |
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 | Challenging barriers in the clinical trials landscape It is widely accepted that clinical trial medicine is good medicine, but with the ever-increasing scale and complexity of trials in Australia, how can we as a cancer workforce ensure as many patients as possible have access to participate?
To support the capacity building required in emerging methodologies, the VCCC Alliance has adopted a coordinated approach that addresses the needs of consumers, clinicians and sites. |
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Upcoming Events | |
16 MAY | VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Livestream New Trial Methodologies - Registry Trials and Teletrials
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18 MAY | VCCC Alliance Grand Round Breast Cancer Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Pathology with Professor Gelareh Farshid
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23 MAY | VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Livestream Music Therapy in Cancer Care - in Tune Together
Book now › |
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27 MAY | Targeting the microbiome in patients with melanoma - ready for prime time?
Research & Education Lead Program Melanoma and Skin Cancers - Melanoma Symposium 2022
Book now ›
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27 MAY | Introduction to the management of sarcoma The Victorian Medical Oncology Training Group and the VCCC Alliance invite medical, surgical and radiation trainees to this afternoon session.
Book now › |
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30 MAY | VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Livestream Lymphatic vasculature in disease: new insights from zebrafish genetics
Book now › |
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30 MAY | Implementation Science in Cancer
A joint presentation from VCCC Alliance and Peter Mac
The event will share the Implementation Science in Cancer program’s overarching objectives, strategic alignment, and role of Associate Professor Stephanie Best, Senior Research Lead Implementation Science for both Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the VCCC Alliance.
Book now › |
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2 JUN | VCCC Alliance Nurse-led Research Hub One hour online workshop: Literature searching: finding the evidence
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7 JUL | VCCC Alliance Nurse-led Research HubShort online workshop: Reference Management and Software
Book now › |
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Education & Training | |
 | Targeting the microbiome in patients with melanoma - ready for prime time? On Friday 27 May, the VCCC Alliance will present a meeting to explore interventions targeting the microbiome in patients with melanoma who are undergoing immunotherapy. A variety of approaches are currently being explored to test whether it is possible to improve responsiveness to immunotherapies by altering the microbiome.
Hosted by A/Prof David Gyorki, VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead for Melanoma and Skin Cancers, the meeting will feature a multidisciplinary panel of experts.
Join us to hear current evidence and explore available and emerging interventions looking at ways to bring research to practice. This will be an in-person event – join to network with speakers and peers from across the VCCC Alliance and other Melbourne institutes progressing research in the field. | | |
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 | Scholarships available for short course in genomics - apply now New practical Melbourne MicroCert short course starts 6 June 2022. The VCCC Alliance is offering scholarships for staff from VCCC Alliance member organisations, as well as employees from the regional cancer workforce, to undertake a Melbourne MicroCert (online, short course through the University of Melbourne) in Using Genomic Data for Personalised Care. Up to five scholarships will be awarded to cover 50% of fees for this MicroCert course commencing in June 2022. The six-week program designed by leading cancer experts, gives you access to leading oncological experts who'll provide evidence-based insights and indispensable guidance on using genomic data to enhance treatment plans.
Apply now, closes 16 May 2022. | | |
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 | Cancer and the Older Person MOOC Register now for our four-week, part-time massive open online course (MOOC), built for GPs, nurses and allied health professionals in the field, but also family members and carers of older people with a cancer diagnosis and clinicians who don't routinely work with older people. It draws on the world-leading knowledge of specialists from the VCCC Alliance including the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology. This course is designed to enhance the understanding of cancer care for geriatric patients and help health professionals and carers to build confidence and knowledge to care for older people who have been diagnosed with or are undergoing treatment for cancer. | | |
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 | Implementation Science in Cancer The VCCC Alliance and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre welcome members from across the alliance to launch the Implementation Science in Cancer program, through fundamental knowledge sharing, resource expectation discussions, and exploration of project ideas. The event aims to share the Implementation Science in Cancer program’s overarching objectives, strategic alignment, and role of Associate Professor Stephanie Best, Senior Research Lead Implementation Science for both Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the VCCC Alliance. | | |
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 | Master of Cancer Sciences - enrol now The Master of Cancer Sciences created by leading-edge experts from across the VCCC Alliance and the University of Melbourne is Australia’s first cancer-specific, multidisciplinary, flexible wholly online program.
Online graduate courses at the University of Melbourne run on a four-term structure rather than a semester structure which means students can enrol in January, April, June and September. Graduates come from a broad range of disciplines including oncology, pharmacy, nursing, allied health, research and surgery. Ensure you gain a breadth of integrated cancer knowledge and skills to deliver best practice cancer care in research, clinical and academic environments. Find out more now and put yourself at the cutting edge of cancer care. | | |
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 | Picchi Award for Excellence in Cancer Research Each year PhD students are invited to make a submission to receive a prestigious award in the categories of basic science, clinical science and population health. Up to three $10,000 prizes recognising excellence in cancer research are awarded to PhD students from across the VCCC Alliance member organisations in a tradition that has spanned more than a decade and acknowledges potential world-class researchers embarking on their careers. |
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 | A passion for cancer education and training - CETAC Chair We are seeking a highly motivated cancer educator with experience in setting strategic directions, leadership, collaborating with multidisciplinary stakeholders, and the capacity to commit to the role of Chair of the Cancer Education and Training Advisory Committee (CETAC). |
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Spotlight On... | |
 | | Are you an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hospital Liaison Officer or Health Worker? Community members are also sought to lend their voice to this important discussion. All are encouraged to make contact. | | |
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Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Annual Congress 16-18 June 2022
The Cancer Nurses Society of Australia 24th Annual Congress will be held 16-18 June at the Brisbane Convention Centre. |
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Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre Supporting cancer survivors to address fatigue and weight problems:
Inspiring, motivating and guiding for change
10 June 2022, webinar, 12–1:30 pm AEST
The Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Cancer Council Victoria, Cancer Nurses Society of Australia and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia are proud to present this free interactive webinar to explore allied health professionals’ role in supporting positive lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, among cancer survivors.
Facilitated by Prof Ray Chan (Chair of COSA’s Survivorship Group, Director of Caring Futures Institute and Professor of Cancer Nursing, Flinders University), it promises to be an insightful program centred around a cancer survivor’s experience, with a dietitian, exercise physiologist and nurse sharing their expertise. |
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Cancer Council Victoria Cancer Council Victoria is running a one-day intensive training – Talking to patients about health and weight – to help health professionals engage in sensitive, patient-centred conversations about health and weight, as part of routine care.
Dates Available: Wednesday 8 June, Saturday 23 July, Tuesday 20 September and Monday 7 November
Time: 9.15am – 4.15pm
Location: 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004
Cost: $240 |
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Cancer, COVID-19 & you survey Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership with The Daffodil Centre, is undertaking research to understand the impact of COVID-19 on people affected by cancer. This includes the emotional impact, treatment changes, the cost of cancer and hospital visitor restrictions.
The findings will help us in our advocacy work to improve programs and services to ensure that all people affected by cancer can access the best cancer care even during a pandemic.
The survey is open to people diagnosed with cancer, or people who cared for someone with cancer, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey will be open until June 9, 2022. You can view the survey here. |
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 | Nurses of Peter Mac On International Nurses Day today, take a look at the digital exhibition, Nurses of Peter Mac. It tells the stories of oncology nurses from across Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and is a special insight into their modus operandi and why they have devoted their lives to oncology nursing. | | |
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April Snapshot | |
 | 8 Education and training events |
|  | 311 Education and training event attendees |
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| KEY | | Leadership and collaboration | | Clinical trials development | | Consumers |
| | Education and training | | Research development |
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