Staff News
STARS Gazer
Staff News
STARS Gazer
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December 2024
Redesigning ophthalmology care at STARS
Metro North patients will benefit from a 12-month trial of a new referral process for cataract surgery. The STARS Public Cataract/Intraocular Lens Surgery Service will increase the number of patients ...Dance Rehab celebrates Christmas at STARS
STARS last Dance Rehab session for the year took on a Christmas theme with decorations, novelty headbands and Christmas songs.Culturally sensitive endoscopy pathway piloted at STARS
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more heavily impacted by colorectal cancer compared to non-Indigenous Australians.Rehabilitation Engineering Centre ‘elf’ Alan set to retire after almost 34 years
The North Pole might be Santa’s official workshop location, but the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) has a magical workshop of their own.Cricket star and patient Josie Dooley urges Queensland to give the gift of time
Professional cricketer and RBWH-STARS stroke patient Josie Doole has joined forces with the RBWH Foundation to call on Queenslanders to give the gift of medical research and patient care innovation ...Graham brings empathy and understanding to his role at STARS
Many of Metro North’s security officers have worked in different fields before entering the security profession. This includes STARS Senior Security Officer, Supervisor, Graham Bushell who used to be in ...Pioneering heart and lung services awarded for innovation
Metro North’s Heart Lung Clinical Stream has been recognised for pioneering a number of initiatives to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.STARS Dietetics and Food Services staff wow judges with Asian-style chicken dish
STARS Chef Rajesh Pundir and Dietetics & Food Services Site Coordinator Brendan Host were runners up in the recent Institute of Hospitality in HealthCare (IHHC) Culinary Competition.Book lovers at STARS appreciate reading trolley run by volunteers
Patients at STARS are now able to enjoy a good book courtesy of a new reading trolley service, an initiative of the STARS Staff Council.STARS clothing program ensures patients are dressed for rehab success
STARS have recently launched a dedicated patient clothing program, ‘Dignity at STARS’ after receiving funding for the initiative from the RBWH Foundation in July.Co-designed patient videos provide accessible nutrition information for patients
A patient care initiative led by STARS Dietitian Hannah Olufson is improving access to reliable nutrition information by creating patient information videos, thanks to funding from the RBWH Foundation.How a simple guitar is music to the ears of STARS rehabilitation patients
The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) at STARS recently received new patient resources including an acoustic guitar thanks to a generous donation from the Cory Charitable Foundation.Ekka favourites on the menu at STARS
One of the most vivid memories that people have of attending the Ekka is the food. Everyone has a favourite, from the cheese toasties, fairy floss, dagwood dogs and of ...RBWH Foundation ready to celebrate 40 Years Strong
The RBWH Foundation is gearing up for its 40th anniversary and wants Metro North to join the party!
August 2024
Olive celebrates her 103rd birthday at STARS
While spending your birthday in hospital isn’t ideal, the team at Ward 5B STARS made the day a very memorable one for patient Olive who reached the amazing age of ...STARS five green star hospital performance rating
The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) located at the Herston Health Precinct has received a five green star performance rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) for ...David’s activities bring the fun to Ward 5B patients
David Frame is STARS’s invaluable recreation officer on Ward 5B, facilitating different patient engagement activities including morning and afternoon walks, mindfulness, bingo, tai chi, and reminiscing sessions.Virtual reality and education for low back pain
Combining education and virtual reality (VR) gameplay using a cognitive behaviour therapy approach improves pain and pain-related fear of movement.Henry brings his knowledge of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to STARS
Henry Nona has recently joined STARS as the Cultural Capability Officer. Prior to coming to STARS, Henry was the Cultural Capability Officer at The Prince Charles Hospital for four years ...Using artificial intelligence for polyp detection in colonoscopy
A research project is investigating whether the use of artificial intelligence can improve the detection rates of polyps in colonoscopy.Chinese delegation impressed by tech at RBWH and STARS
Representatives from five major Chinese hospitals visited the Herston Health Campus in July.Interprofessional collaboration helps ensure patients’ homes are equipment ready
It is an exciting time when a patient has reached the stage in their recovery journey where they can return home. Before they can be discharged though, there are many ...Kitchen nostalgia brings back memories for STARS patients
STARS patients recently participated in a cooking themed reminiscing session in the Level 5 dining room. Reminiscing is recognised as a valuable activity for elderly patients and patients with dementia ...Celebrities, smiles and celebrations as biggest ever Giving Day smashes target
On 12 June the RBWH Foundation held their annual Giving Day which was celebrated across the Herston Health Precinct. The 2024 Giving Day was the most successful, raising over ...Olympic spirit shines at STARS
To celebrate the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, the STARS Allied Health team organised a range of fun events for patients and staff to get into the Olympic spirit.RBWH Foundation grants support extraordinary projects to improve patient outcomes at RBWH and STARS
In July, RBWH Foundation awarded their second round of grant for 2024. The successful projects reflect the depth of innovative and patient-centred work occurring across the Herston Health Precinct.STARS welcomes new nursing lead
The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) has welcomed new Director of Nursing Ben Ballard to the team.
March 2024
Peter Slattery celebrates an amazing career in rehabilitation engineering at Metro North
Director of the Rehabilitation Engineering Centre, Peter Slattery is hanging up the tools after 38 years of creating custom equipment for Queenslanders with disabilities.STARS patient Ben celebrates Christmas at home in Barcaldine
In March 2023, Ben was herding cattle on his family cattle property Gregory Park, near Barcaldine, when he was involved in a serious motorbike accident, suffering a severe traumatic brain ...STARS Goes Troppo for Christmas
The theme for last year’s competition was ‘tropical’, as decided by the 2022 winner, Day Surgery. There were many wonderfully bright displays featuring palm trees, flamingos, pineapples and Santas wearing ...Crafty idea benefits persistent pain patient
A crafty initiative from the Tess Cramond Pain and Research Centre is helping patients with persistent and chronic pain re-engage in daily activities that they enjoy.New gold standard gastroenterology procedure takes place at STARS
The Oesophageal Function Testing Service at STARS is identifying swallowing and digestive issues with high-resolution oesophageal impedance manometry (HRIM) procedure.STARS patient Joy joins elite centenarian club
Joy Harvey celebrated turning 100 years old during her in-patient stay at the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) in February surrounded by family, friends and staff.From pastry chef to nurse, Barry’s second career takes the cake
Nurse Barry Moore works in ward 4B at the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), caring for patients who are undergoing rehabilitation.Meet the artist bringing colour and meaning to STARS
The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) is home to an exciting and diverse collection of artworks, including a significant number of works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. ...On your mark for the Royal 50K!
Join RBWH surgical patient turned avid runner, Juliette McAleer, and the rest of the RBWH Foundation community this April in the exercise challenge of the year – the Royal 50K.The Rehabilitation Engineering Centre help Christopher to take to the sky
The Rehabilitation Engineering Centre (REC) at STARS designs and produces custom modifications for people with disabilities to improve their quality of life.Staff profile – A/Director of Anaesthetics, Dr Emilia Reece
Dr Emilia Reece joined STARS as a Specialist Anaesthetist when the facility opened in 2021. She is currently Acting Clinical Director of Anaesthetics, managing the team of specialist anaesthetists, and ...
June 2023
Rugby legend surgeon returns to theatre to perform fortnightly ophthalmology sessions at STARS
Former rugby union legend and cataract surgeon Dr Mark Loane has returned to STARS on a Saturday, joining a dedicated team of weekend workers performing cataract surgeries.STARS Artist Profile – Tamika Grant-Iramu
The main foyer of our wonderful STARS building is such an inviting space. As many people have commented, entering the foyer of STARS feels more like arriving at a luxury ...A new toolkit to improve rehabilitation outcomes following a stroke
A new toolkit is being developed to improve outcomes of rehabilitation following stroke, with input from researchers and clinicians at the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS).Rehabilitation Engineering Centre helping patients get back in the game
The Rehabilitation Engineering Centre at STARS sees many patients requiring modifications to their wheelchairs such as customised seat and backrest fitting. Modifications are made while a patient waits which can ...Art and healing
There has long been an interest in the healing effects of the visual arts. In Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing, published in 1859, she explains how beautiful objects can have ...Delirium prevention at STARS
March 15 was World Delirium Awareness Day, a day which seeks to increase the recognition, education, and prevention of delirium.Study explores best approach to surgery for painful shoulder osteoarthritis
A new world-first study will investigate the best approach to shoulder joint replacement surgery for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the shoulder.New interpreter model trial
Metro North Health is trialling a new model of in-house interpreter services to improve care for culturally and linguistically diverse patients.Team profile – STARS Equipment, Advice, Loan Service (SEALS)
STARS Equipment, Advice, Loan Service (SEALS), located in the basement, provides a centralised service for the lending of shared clinical equipment and distribution of a specific range of high cost/low ...Staff profile
Meet Jemima Readford, STARS physiotherapistMonday Mantras
Have you seen our STARS patients feature on the Metro North Health Facebook or Instagram pages?
February 2023
Message from the Executive Director
In October 2022 we officially launched STARS’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the RAP details a commitment to reconciliation and improving the health of Aboriginal and ...STARS celebrates 100th joint replacement!
This year the focus of World Physiotherapy Day was osteoarthritis, including the prevention of osteoarthritis and the management of the condition. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and is ...Brisbane Open House showcases Lady Lamington Nurses Home restoration
Lady Lamington Nurses Home was one of the historic buildings featured in the 2022 Brisbane Open House program. The event attracted over 200 people to the Herston Quarter Heritage Precinct, ...STARS specialist aphasia treatment program helps patients achieve their communication goals
Imagine if you couldn’t remember the correct word for an item or when you read words on a page you couldn’t make sense of them. These are some of the ...STARS artwork
At the recent Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan launch, the STARS artwork was also officially launched.Dietetics and Food Services recognises food’s role in therapy
Dietetics and Food Services play a vital role in the recovery of patients during their hospital stay. While having nutritious food is key, catering for people’s individual tastes and preferences ...New UQ and Metro North study comparing treatments for persistent severe low back pain
Project lead and Director of the STARS Education and Research Alliance conjoint UQ Professor Nadine Foster is leading a collaborative team to deliver a randomised clinical trial to compare the ...STARS wins Best Public Building award
STARS has taken out the Property Council of Australia’s Best Public Building award, recognising innovation and excellence through all project aspects including design, construction, client satisfaction, finance, and community perception.STARS shining the spotlight on innovation and healthcare improvement
STARS Director of Pharmacy Margie Butnoris was the very first STARS team member to graduate recently from the bespoke Graduate Certificate (Health Services Innovation) developed by Metro North Health in ...Staff profile
Meet Meredith Ogilvie-Brown, Staff Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine and STARS Staff Council member. I have worked as a rehabilitation medicine physician since 2018 but previously worked in rehabilitation units as ...Monday Mantras
Have you seen our STARS patients feature on the Metro North Health Facebook or Instagram pages?
May 2022
Message from the A/Executive Director
2022 has thrown its fair share of challenges at us so far: COVID-19, an accreditation survey, opening new wards, floods and more. Despite all of this, we have lived our ...Message from the STARS Director of Medical Services
The last few months have been a whirlwind of COVID-19 and floods, as well as Christmas, school holidays and further expansions at STARS. The medical teams have responded well and ...Message from the STARS Director of Nursing
Welcome to 2022. This year we have already been tested with some trying times with COVID and more recently the floods, but, as always, you have all worked diligently over ...Message from the STARS Director of Allied Health
STARS has been opened for just over a year. In that short period of time STARS Allied Health has achieved so much. I have provided a snapshot below of just ...STARS rehabilitation specialist helping patients recover and reclaim independence
STARS rehabilitation medicine staff specialist Dr Sarah Anderson believes in making sure her patients leave hospital feeling happy and healthy, even if their body doesn’t work the way it once ...The role of dietetic assistants in a digital hospital
The many digital systems within a digital hospital enable a team of dietetic assistants to fully realise their roles.Stroke education sessions helping patients and families prepare for life outside hospital
Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability, which affects not only the person recovering from stroke but also their family and loved ones. As a ...The STARS Rapid Antigen Test Clinic
With COVID-19 case numbers rising in the community after the Queensland borders opened, STARS had to rapidly stand up a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) clinic to ensure the safety of ...Closing the gap: Towards health equity at STARS
National Close the Gap Day, observed each year on 17 March, brings people together to take meaningful action in support of achieving health equality for First Nations Peoples. STARS Cultural Capability ...Meet our new Indigenous Health Service team
Meet Allira and Lillian – the newest members of the STARS Indigenous Health Service team.Peer Responders at STARS
Peer Responder programs across Metro North promote staff wellbeing by utilising the skills and experiences of our staff to create an approachable, accessible and friendly pathway to support for staff ...News in brief
More news from the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service.
September 2021
Message from the Executive Director
With Debbie McNamara’s departure, I have been appointed as Acting Executive Director for STARS. I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity and am really looking forward to working ...STARS’s new joint replacement service a shining success
STARS’s new Accelerated Arthroplasty Service is delivering fast results and shorter hospital stays for joint replacement patients.Maintenance Care Service helping patients and easing bed pressures
STARS is helping ease bed pressures across Metro North Health with the opening of the new Level 5 Maintenance Care Service, adding an additional 40 beds to our network.Recreation officer improves patient experience
STARS Recreation Officer Ana Monisse is an unsung hero of our Rehab Unit, working hard to improve patients’ experiences that ultimately contribute to a better time in hospital.Patients chatting away thanks to collaborative clinical treatment
Comprehensive High-Dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) is a new clinical service and research program delivered at STARS in collaboration with the Queensland Aphasia Research Centre (QARC).STARS delivers hospitality worthy of recognition
The STARS Dietetics and Food Services team served up a win in all categories at the recent Queensland Institute of Hospitality in Healthcare (IHHC) awards night!Orthoptist, optometrist, ophthalmologist, oh my!
Everyone has heard of an optometrist, and you might have heard of an ophthalmologist, but have you ever heard of an orthoptist?The STARS Monthly Awards… the winners are in!
For the first time ever, we are excited to announce the winners of the STARS Monthly Awards.Taylah’s STARS experience
After having a procedure at STARS, Taylah Hughes shared her experience of what it was like to be one of our patients.Meet Joy Dunbar
Joy Dunbar, STARS Risk CoordinatorNews in brief
More news from the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service.
July 2021
Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to the first STARS Gazer newsletter. I am very proud to share with you some of the wonderful highlights and outcomes of the past few months in what has ...Meet Professor Foster
As the Director of the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) Education and Research Alliance (SERA), I am a conjoint (or joint appointment) between Metro North Health and The University ...Patients give STARS the tick of approval
The results are in: patients positively rate their experience at STARS. By using real-time collection and reporting system implemented by Queensland Health, STARS is able to capture Patient Reported Experience Measures ...Meet our Deadly Indigenous Health Liaison Officer
John Corowa is the latest addition to the STARS Indigenous workforce as the STARS Indigenous Health Liaison Officer. John joins the STARS team to help Close the Gap and provide safe ...Meet Kim Minniecon
As Patient Experience Officer I am responsible for ensuring our staff are able to give the best possible experience to our patients at STARS. Sometimes this is about accepting compliments, ...News in brief
More news from the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service.