BIO

Helen is a dynamic and visionary healthcare leader with almost 50 years of experience as a registered nurse and sick children’s nurse. Her expertise spans across various domains, including digital health, informatics, and clinical nursing. With a PhD in Digital Health and Informatics, and an MSc in Clinical Nursing (Nurse Practitioner (UK), Helen is at the forefront of innovation in healthcare.

Currently serving as the Head of School for Nursing at the Institute of Health and Management, Helen is committed to driving strategic and operational education advancements in health and care services. Leading nursing governance and accreditation processes, she is a key figure in shaping the future of healthcare through her leadership, academic scholarship, and research contributions.

As a Digital Health Adviser, Helen plays a vital role in shaping national healthcare policies and frameworks. She sits on the Clinical Governance committee, contributes to the Australian Digital Health Agency Framework for Delivery, and represents the Agency on national steering groups. Helen’s ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders makes her a trusted voice in the industry.

Helen is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health and holds the position of vice chair of the nursing and midwifery network. As a fellow of International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI) within the International Medical Informatics Association, previously and Society Member for Australia she now actively contributes to the advancement of global nursing informatics as a Nursing Informatics Board Member – Vice Chair (communications). Her involvement with the AIDH and IMIA underscores her commitment to advancing healthcare practices nationally and globally.

With a research focus on the impact of digital health technologies on person-centred care for vulnerable communities, Helen is driving positive change in healthcare delivery. Promoting research, education, and professional development initiatives, she aims to enhance the digital health and informatics capabilities of healthcare professionals. Helen’s work is instrumental in preparing future healthcare professionals to navigate an evolving landscape of healthcare systems and technologies. Her dedication to improving healthcare outcomes and empowering professionals underscores her status as a leading figure in the field of education and digital health and informatics.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Fellow of the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI)(AU)
  2025
• Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AU)
  2020
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – University of Tasmania (AU)
  2018
• Post Graduate Certificate in Research – University of Tasmania (AU)
  2018
• Post Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management – Manchester University (UK)
  2004
• Master of Science Clinical Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) – Manchester University (UK)
  2003
• Graduate Diploma in Principles of Breast Care – Salford University (UK)
  1999
• Graduate Diploma in Practice Nursing – Bolton Institute (UK)
  1998
• Graduate Diploma in Professional Nursing Studies – Manchester University (UK)
  1995
• Certificate Diabetes Management – The Manchester Diabetes Centre (UK)
  1993
• Certificate Asthma Management – National Asthma Training Centre (UK)
  1992
• Diploma in Women’s Health (ENB 13-09-90S) – Liverpool University (UK)
  1991
• Registered General Nurse and Registered Sick Children’s Nurse (UK)
  1981

Awards

• Bronze, AIHSM Goes Green, Participation in the 2023 Green Impact Program, ACTS
  2023
• Teaching Merit Certificate, University of Tasmania
  2023
• National, Joan Edgecumbe Scholarship, Health Informatics Society of Australia
  2013

Most Recent Short Courses/MOOCs

• Post Graduate Certificate of Contemporary Approaches to University Teaching – Australian Council of Deans of Science (AU)
  2018, 2020 & 2024
• Healthcare Design – University of Tasmania (AU)
  2023
• An Introduction to Leading with Kindness and Compassion in Health and Social Care – The King’s Fund (UK)
  2023