Cover Caregiver Story –Allied Health A-Team!

The Murdoch Allied Health team consists of seven different Allied Health disciplines – Social Work, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Diabetes Education, Speech Pathology, Music Therapy, and Physiotherapy! Each Allied Health profession has a defined core scope of practice and governing body with defined membership requirements.

Our Allied Health practitioners have specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing, and treating a range of conditions and illnesses. They form part of the multidisciplinary team to provide specialised support for different patient needs and play a crucial role in discharge planning. At Murdoch, they are continuing to develop and grow the Allied Health service offerings in order to improve patient safety, quality, and experience. There are a number of exciting quality improvement and research projects underway currently – watch this space to find out more!

First things first, please meet our awesome Allied Health A-team!

Liz Gomez – Allied Health Manager

5 years at SJOG Murdoch in October.

Liz holds a Masters of Dietetics and have worked across public and private hospitals including Princess Margaret Hospital where she specialised as a paediatric dietitian. Liz has held various leadership, project management and change management roles within healthcare and has a passion for quality improvement.

Fun Fact: I have mastered cooking an authentic Spanish paella!

Ellen Feeney – Allied Health Manager

2 years at SJOG Murdoch, previously at SJOG Midland

Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) and a Post Graduate in Mental Health

Counselling. Ellen has worked across inpatient and outpatient settings mostly in aged care. Fun fact: I like running half marathons!

Five months at SJOG Murdoch

Two years at SJOG Murdoch, almost nine years for SJGHC. Linda previously worked in the Horizon House youth services programme through SJOG Social Outreach offering support and accommodation to young people at risk of and/or experiencing homelessness. She has a background in Community Social Work namely child protection, domestic and family violence, homelessness and youth mental health. Linda has a strong passion and advocacy for mental health.

Fun Fact: I come from a country town in Ireland called Moyvane, when I met my Aussie partner he thought for a long time that I had grown up in a caravan “my – van”.

Claire has been a social worker for nearly 19 years. She commenced working in Department of Justice with youth at risk as a Juvenile Justice Officer where she worked in both metro and rural areas. She then worked in Centrelink for a few years, predominantly working with survivors of domestic violence as well as carrying out the Advisor roles on the Family Relationship Advice Line (coincided with the new family laws). Claire then went overseas and worked in London for a few years, working in the community for Social Services conducting in home assessments for a variety of different client groups. When she returned to Perth, she worked in Bandyup Women's prison running a parenting program. Then, following this, she worked as an ACAT assessor at Bentley Hospital as well as working on a Rehab Ward. After Bentley Hospital, Claire worked at Alma

Street on an acute mental health ward for 5 years. She has recently run a pilot program for a not-for-profit for survivors of institutional abuse for 12 months helping these vulnerable clients access aged care services.

Fun Fact: I am totally addicted to the Vietnamese Banh Mi rolls.

Ashleigh Paizee – Social Worker

One year at SJOG Murdoch

Ashleigh graduated with her Masters in Social Work in Dec 2021 with a desire to make difference instead of focusing on the bottom line. Prior to that, her work experience was in the banking and finance where she used my business undergraduate degree to navigate her career across variety of sectors including local government.

Fun Fact: I love writing and I am graduate of the London School of Journalism.

Anne Vu – Social Worker

Four years at SJOG Murdoch

Anne did her final placement for her Master’s degree at SJOG Murdoch and her passion for hospital social work has grown ever since. After graduation, she worked as a locum for a few months before becoming a permanent staff. She has also had experience in community mental health as she spent 3 months with MIFWA. Anne also worked at SJOG Mount Lawley for almost a year, during the peak of COVID, before returning to Murdoch permanently. She has gained a decent amount of knowledge of rehabilitation, general medicine, geriatrics and palliative care over the last 4-5 years.

Fun Fact: I used to do K-pop dancing – it is my kind of active meditation. I might get back to this activity in the future (to give my child/children some secondhand embarrassments)!

Emily Rodriguez – Social Worker

6 months at SJOG Murdoch

Emily has had a diverse Social Work career in Melbourne and Far North Queensland before coming back to Perth. Here, she worked in the Emergency Department at SCGH and then Rehab in the Home throughout the Metro area.

Fun fact: I compose piano music and am working on my first album.

Preeti Chauhan - Senior Dietitian

10 years at SJOG Murdoch

Preeti has worked as a Dietician for 16 years, including 10 years at Murdoch.

Fun Fact: I like reading books and spending time with my family and friends.

Sarah Leighton – Dietitian

Six years at SJOG Murdoch, one year previously at SJOG Midland

Sarah has worked as a dietitian for approximately 25 yearsin public hospitals as junior, senior and coordinator of department. She has had a private practice, worked at Rocky Bay, taught at Curtin Uni, and is now sliding towards retirement while enjoying her “on the tools” work here at Murdoch.

Fun Fact: I once wrote and codirected a short film.

Fernanda FunoyPuenteDietitian

18 months at SJOG Murdoch

Fernanda graduated from the Master of Dietetics at Curtin University in 2020 and has worked as a casual dietitian for the past two years in both private and public settings. She is currently working as a full time permanent dietitian at SJOG Murdoch.

Fun fact: I did Ballet for 16 years and I love doing outdoor activities and going to the beach.

Gabrielle Bowe – Dietitian

3.5 years at SJOG Murdoch

Gabrielle worked in hospitality at 16 and continued this, travelling lots and enjoying cultures around the world. She began studying Nutrition in 2011 and started as a private practice dietitian, enjoying nutrition education and working with eating disorders patients in the community. Gabrielle began clinical work in 2020 (just in time for a pandemic!) and hasn’t looked back.

Fun Fact: I was a chef before deciding to study nutrition and dietetics.

Kim Ang – Dietitian

2 years at SJOG Murdoch

Kim was an ICU nurse then a Kumon franchise owner before becoming a dietitian.

Fun Fact: If you were to eat the brownies I bake, you will not have a clue that it is made without butter and flour!!

Mineh Burn – Dietitian

One month at SJOG Murdoch

Mineh graduated as a Dietitian at the end of 2022 and has been working in private practice and medical centres since then. Prior to this, she worked at St John of God Subiaco Hospital for 10 years in a variety of admin and project support roles including in Safety & Quality.

Fun Fact: I have titanium plates in my left leg after breaking my tibia and fibula on a boat on the way to Rottnest Island.

Lorraine Chan – Dietitian

One month at SJOG Murdoch

Lorraine has been working at Hollywood Private Hospital since September 2022. Prior to that, she was working at

Rockingham General Hospital after she completed her Master of Dietetics at Curtin University in 2021. In the meantime, she is also working as a community aged care Dietitian at Brightwater Care Group. Fun fact: I love to travel. I have been to Japan three times, Korea, Tai Wan, and Austria.

Emily Falconer -Senior Occupational Therapist

18 months at SJOG Murdoch

Emily has worked as an Occupational Therapist for almost 10 years working across both acute and community health care settings. She started her career in community services, pursing her keen interest in early childhood development and paediatrics. In 2016, she relocated to London to travel and broaden her work opportunities. Emily worked as a locum therapist in London and that’s where she found a new love for acute care. She worked across several large inner London hospitals expanding her clinical skills across various specialties and assisted during the COVID pandemic.

Fun Fact: I love travellinganywhere warm and close to the water

Ronelle Bosua - Senior Occupational Therapist

18 months at SJOG Murdoch

Ronelle started her career as an Occupational Therapist in 2009 and has worked across both public and private hospitals in Victoria and Western Australia including: The Royal Melbourne Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The Mount Hospital, and most recently SJOG Murdoch Hospital. Fun Fact: I find it hard to resist a good house plant and finish most evenings by lighting a delicious candle.

Wendy Gong – Senior Occupational Therapist

Two years (on an off) at SJOG Murdoch

Wendy has worked at FSH and Fremantle for the majority of her OT career, NDIA, community OT, and then SJOG!

Fun Fact: I just started kickboxing this year and loving it! I’m that height challenged person you don’t want to meet in a dark alleyway!

Grace Andrews – Occupational Therapist

9 months at SJOG Murdoch

Grace has worked across the Wheatbelt, Kimbereley, Midwest, and in regional Victoria. She works across 3 SJOG hospitals and covers areas from paediatrics, hand therapy, home visiting and adult inpatients. Grace is currently studying her PhD in trauma and sensory processing for remote aboriginal communities.

Fun fact: I spent a year living in France learning how to cook all their yummy desserts

Madi Espie – Occupational Therapist

Two months at SJOG Murdoch

Madi has worked at Port Augusta Regional Hospital (South Australia), Home Modifications & Community Home Visiting (South West Region / Bunbury), Paediatrics private Practice, and SJOG Subiaco since 2021.

Fun Fact: I am a backyard bee keeper / apiarist

Shona Vigus - Credentialed Diabetes Educator

Two years at SJOG Murdoch

Shona previously worked at Diabetes WA, and Perth Diabetes Care prior to that.

Before being a diabetes educator, she was a practice nurse for 13 years.

Fun Fact: I like to bake but I am terrible at following a recipe.

Kendra Nunweek-Hanlon - Credentialed Diabetes Educator

16 months at SJOG Murdoch, but worked here for 10 years previously

Kendra started nursing in 1975 at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and has been working in Diabetes Education since 2001.

Fun Fact: I love traveling especially to remote outback places!

Leanne Chidgzey - Senior Speech Pathologist

One year at SJOG Murdoch as an employee, 23 years as a contractor speech pathologist Leanne previously worked at Fremantle hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital before coming to Murdoch.

Fun Fact: I love the beach, despite not being a very good swimmer…

Sally Mann – Senior Speech Pathologist

Four years at SJOG Murdoch (casual Speech Pathology cover)

Sally spent many years working in the public hospital system in WA. Her clinical specialties include working with head & neck oncology, voice and swallowing disorders.

Fun Fact: I have a twin brotherAndrew

Fiona O’Donoghue – Speech Pathologist

2 weeks at SJOG Murdoch

Fiona has worked in hospitals in Ireland and has also worked in Cairns hospital and Mildura hospital in Australia prior to moving to Perth.

Fun fact: I sang at weddings with my dad and sister in Ireland!

Giuseppe Reina - Music Therapist

18 months at SJOG Murdoch and SJOG Mt Lawley

Giuseppe immigrated to Australia in May 2010 and has worked privately for seven years (private clients, OAMHS in 7 different hospitals, schools for children with special needs, Organisations for Disability services and support, Aged Care). He spent five years as a guest lecturer at Murdoch University for Master in Creative Arts Therapies, two years as an owner of a school of music ‘Joe Reina Music Academy’, four years working for Amana Living the Aged Care provider, and has since spent the last year and a half as the resident Music Therapist at SJOG Murdoch and Mt Lawley Hospitals.

Fun Fact: I am a person full of interests and passions, I like to feel alive. I love cooking, riding my Royal Enfield, playing in bands, boating, fishing, camping, travelling around the globe, drinking good wines, eating good food… I never get bored, for sure!!!!

3rd party Physiotherapy providers:

Our Allied Health team would not be complete without our fantastic contracted physiotherapy providers who each have their own specialties.

Thank you Southcare, Link Rehabilitation, Neurospine Institute, Flex Physiotherapy, and Hands and All for being part of our Allied Health team!