Foundation Update

Donor funding helps Murdoch patients’ access state-of-the-art breast care surgery

Patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at St John of God Murdoch Hospital are receiving first-class care, thanks to our wonderful donors

Thanks to generous donations, the cutting-edge Trident HD portable mammogram machine has now arrived at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital’s Trident HD was one of just four dispatched to Australia in November 2022.

The arrival of the Trident HD to Murdoch complements the cutting edge breast cancer removal techniques already being performed by the hospital’s breast surgical team.

One such technique is the use of Magseed’s technology. Tiny magnetic ‘seeds’ are implanted into the breast cancer spot under radiology guidance at the precise location of the tumour. During surgery, the surgeon runs a magnetic probe along the outside of the body, which ‘detects’ the seeds.

Magseed technology can be compared to a metal detector that enables surgeons to perform extremely precise, minimally invasive tumour removal –the best possible outcome for patients.

One such patient was Angela Reyniers (pictured) who recently underwent breast cancer removal surgery at St John of God Murdoch Hospital, using the Magseeds technique.

As a nurse herself, Angela knew that a second surgery may have been required if the entire tumour was not removed the first time – an experience she was very much hoping to avoid.

“The Magseeds implant was really straightforward – no discomfort at all – and postsurgery recovery has been great. All things considered, I’m feeling really good,” Angela said.

Angela also felt that the use of community donations for innovative technology such as the Magseed was very positive.

“To be able to take donations like that, and to utilise it for medicine that is going to improve patient outcomes is so important,” she said.

“Anything that improves patient outcomes is a good thing.”

Angela also reflected that her treatment journey and experience was far better than she expected.

“I feel amazing. At almost every stage of my journey, from diagnosis to surgery, to chemo and radiation, my situation has always been more positive than what our expectations were.”

We are so grateful to our amazing donors, who have helped to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients like Angela through cutting-edge treatments and technologies.

Our sincere thanks to the Tony Fini Foundation, Frank Tomasi, Gudrun Westerfeld, and Galvin Engineering for their kind support for the Trident HD technology at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.

Welcome to Geoff Barnett –Facilities Manager

Geoff Barnett joins us as Facilities Manager, having recently been Senior Engineer managing the Operational and Maintenance teams at St John of God Subiaco.

Get to know Geoff as he answers some questions below!

How long have you been working for SJGHC?

Just over 4.5 years at Subiaco Hospital.

What is your work background?

I started my working career as a systems engineer and was involved in designing, installing and maintaining Seismic monitoring systems for the mining industry for around 2 years. I then returned to Perth and worked for Western Power for around 15 years in Various

Strategic Asset Management roles for around 9 years followed by 6 years in an Operational Asset Management role working with Transmission/Distribution electrical equipment. I was then employed by SJG Subiaco as a Senior Engineer managing the Operational and Maintenance teams for 4.5 years before commencing my current role. What do you enjoy most about engineering?

I could say I really enjoy the process of identifying a need for improvement , understanding the available options and implementing the most appropriate solution (and I do), but what I really enjoy is knowing I have been involved in something which in some way has improved the lives of others often without them even knowing.

What are your favourite things to do in your free time?

I really love muscle cars so taking my car out to the track when I have the opportunity is high on my list, going out for a good meal with my family and friends (particularly love Japanese), playing tennis with my son even though he’s way better than me, and I really enjoy traveling.

Welcome to the Murdoch team, Geoff!

Welcome to Dr Tessa Blom – Acting Emergency Department Director

Welcome to Dr Tessa Blom, who has joined us as the Acting Director of our Emergency Department!

Tessa was born in Perth and grew up in Malaysia, where she received Chinese Education for primary and secondary qualifications. Following this, Tessa moved to Russia when she was 16 and commenced her medical training in St Petersburg.

In 2005, Tessa moved back to Perth after completing her internship, and after completing her training as an Emergency

Registrar and working in various Emergency Departments throughout Perth, she completed her fellowship in Emergency Medicine and became a qualified Emergency Physician.

Tessa commenced working at SJG Murdoch in 2016, and has since worked between Murdoch and Armadale Hospital. She has covered the SJG Murdoch ED Director position during periods of leave, so is already very familiar with the Hospital and culture.

Lovely to have you, Tessa!