It Takes Heart

Episode 9
Nurse, Advocate, Storyteller: Annabelle Brayley’s Impact in Remote Australia

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Annabelle Brayley says “Yes” when opportunities come her way. Growing up in a small community on the Western Darling Downs, she spent her early days as a registered nurse before transitioning to pivotal roles such as facilitating the establishment of a federal dementia program in Queensland, contributing richly to the RM Williams Outback magazine, and now her advocacy work with Remote Australians Matter. In this episode, the topic of healthcare professionals’ transitioning into rural health and community service is explored, taking a critical look at healthcare disparities in remote Australia while emphasising the logistical challenges and the importance of community involvement in healthcare decisions.

Episode 8
Physio on the Move: Locum Work from Ski Fields to the Outback

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We sit down with physiotherapist Judy Chesney, whose extensive background in anatomy, private practice, and volunteer work in East Timor highlights the versatility required to be a rural generalist physio. Since 2021, Judy has brought her adventurous spirit to diverse rural locations like Mildura, Mount Isa, and Thursday Island, where she’s made significant contributions to public health. For graduate physiotherapists considering rural roles, Judy offers invaluable advice on adaptability, resourcefulness, and community engagement. She also delves into the complexities of working in remote Indigenous communities, emphasising the need for improvisation and advocacy to deliver impactful healthcare outcomes.

Episode 7
Beyond the Clinic: The Power of Cultural Connection in Remote Nursing

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In this episode, remote and emergency nurse David Maxwell shares his inspiring journey from hospitality in England to serving rural communities in Australia. Since 2018, David has focused on primary health care and chronic disease management in places like Wilcannia and Bamaga, where he highlights the importance of cultural understanding, empathy, and clear communication. He shares poignant stories of patient vulnerability and the role of male healthcare professionals in building trust. David also discusses his initiative, Planet Prostate, advocating for open conversations around men’s health. Packed with practical advice and heartwarming stories, this episode showcases the power of compassion and community in healthcare.

Episode 6
Swapping City Life for Red Dust

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Dr Sonia Henry is a physiotherapist turned rural GP and author of Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl. Find out how COVID-19 pandemic redirected her life path from the hustle and bustle of city life for more meaning and connection in remote healthcare. Through her stories, Sonia reveals the stark disparities in healthcare access and systemic issues plaguing remote Indigenous communities. We discuss the meaningful patient interactions that make GP work so unique, her passion for writing, and the balancing act of becoming a published author while practicing medicine full-time. Sonia discusses the sense of community and connectedness often found in remote areas, in contrast to the isolation of urban environments. Her heartfelt anecdotes shed light on the critical need for systemic changes to support healthcare professionals better.

Episode 5
A Dentist’s Family Adventure through a Neurodiverse Lens

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Imagine balancing a thriving dental career while exploring the natural wonders of Western Australia and homeschooling your kids on the road… In this episode, we sit down with Ellen Rogers, a dedicated dentist currently working with Cornerstone in Geraldton. Ellen speaks about her life pivot to locum dentistry after a severe foot injury during pandemic lockdowns, reigniting her passion for her profession. Ellen dives into the unique contributions of neurodivergent professionals in dentistry and the critical role of locum dentists in regional areas. She challenges stereotypes, showing how locum roles can drive tremendous growth and quality care in rural communities. And then comes the adventures of her transformed home-life with her partner stepping into the stay-at-home dad where the couple crafted interactive curriculum that made education exciting and adaptable across six states and covering 10,000 kilometers!

Episode 4
Husband and Wife Nursing Couple Travel the World

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In this episode, we sit down with the married RN duo, Helen and Nigel Naylor, whose careers have spanned Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the Middle East. Explore the complexities and nuances of providing healthcare in remote areas through Helen’s firsthand experiences in Kalbarri. With no on-site doctors, healthcare providers must step up with high autonomy and adaptability. Hear about the intricacies of healthcare leadership and the pressures of adapting to new environments on short-term contracts. Helen and Nigel discuss the personal motivations that drive them, such as staying connected with family, and share unique experiences of living in Australia, including encounters with local wildlife and the necessity of a snake policy. They conclude with heartwarming anecdotes about the supportive, family-like atmosphere among agency nurses and offer invaluable advice for those considering a move to Australia.

Episode 3
A Limitless Life with Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM

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Dr. Dinesh Palipana, OAM and Queensland Australian of the Year, exemplifies breaking societal barriers in medicine. As the first medical intern in Queensland with quadriplegia, he reshaped the potential for medical professionals with disabilities. Born in Sri Lanka in 1984, his early life was shaped by civil war, corruption, and poverty. On the Brisbane motorway in 2010, when Dinesh was in medical school, his car spun out of control, and he watched himself and his life literally being turned upside down. His medical training halted in that instant, and he would spend the years that followed recovering as a patient with a spinal cord injury. Today, Denish is a lawyer, founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia, senior lecturer at Griffith University, spinal cord injury researcher, and emergency doctor at Gold Coast University Hospital. Dr. Palipana also serves as a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission and ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includability Program. Open about his battle with depression, he draws inspiration from figures like Stephen Hawking and Christopher Reeve, emphasising mental resilience and gratitude. His book “Stronger,” is being adapted into a TV series and chronicles his journey. Dr. Palipana’s story encourages inclusivity and empathy in healthcare, inspiring others to overcome adversity.

Episode 2
Taking a lap around Australia as a Remote Area Nurse

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What happens when a nurse trades a stable job for a life on the road in a customised Land Cruiser? In this episode of It Takes Heart, we explore the inspiring journey of podcast guest India Priestley purchasing her “troopie” during the 2020 lockdowns and how her off-grid living setup has her creating a whole new community on the road. Through vivid recounts of hitchhiking adventures and heartwarming patient interactions, India paints a picture of the adaptability and resilience required for remote healthcare roles. These stories illuminate the deep personal connections formed in smaller communities and the visible impact nurses can make outside of metropolitan hospitals. Cultural considerations in remote Indigenous communities are also discussed as India emphasises the need for cultural sensitivity, respect, and education to bridge communication gaps and foster trust. She highlights the importance of respecting the deep connection Indigenous people have with their land. This episode of It Takes Heart has CEO of cmr Sam Miklos hosting alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.

Episode 1
Happier Healthcare Recruitment with cmr CEO Sam Miklos

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Balancing your professional and personal life is no small feat – especially when your business partner is your spouse. Sam and Norbert Miklos started cmr with $100K and a hard deadline of one year to prove their concept. In this premiere episode of It Takes Heart, Sam recounts the couple’s tenacious journey from modest start-up to thriving recruitment powerhouse with more than 500 employees. She recounts her unorthodox path from luxury retail and occupational therapy to recruitment and how Norbert juggled a career in IT with their fledgling business. Sam also shares the lessons she’s learnt over 12 years as CEO, including her strategies for navigating uncertainty, why she embraces negative feedback and how to foster a culture of openness and learning. The episode also reveals how Sam and Norbert balance home and work, from defining their roles to enforcing a one-day-a-week ban on ‘work talk’. This episode of It Takes Heart is hosted by Kate Coomber, cmr’s Head of Talent and Employer Branding and the first employee hired by Sam in 2012.