Deb is a key medical advisory member of MQ Health’s COVID-19 Taskforce, which was established in March to guide Macquarie University Hospital during the pandemic as staff prepared for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases.

We discuss the challenges created by COVID-19, overcoming her fear of heights and her guilty pleasure.

1. In a nutshell, my job is to…
I am responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the nursing and inpatient service provision. This is inclusive of strategic direction of nursing, patient safety and quality, infection control, management of budgets, bed management, continuous improvement initiatives in nursing and staff management within nursing.

I am responsible for keeping the CEO of the Hospital and Clinics advised of issues or opportunities relating to nursing and operations, and I work together with the Director of Medical and Surgical Services in managing theatre utilisation.

I am also committed to the personal and professional development of all staff, and support leadership and development of our diverse clinical teams. The development of a culture of innovation and staff engagement is important in this role.

2. My definition of success is…
Patients receiving high quality, excellent clinical care from highly skilled nurses. Managing the nursing workforce within our budget resource. Seeing a nursing and multidisciplinary workforce working together for positive outcomes for our patients.

3. This year I want to…
Be able to look back on 2020 as a challenging and rewarding year having managed our patients’ clinical care needs with high quality, safe compassionate care.

And to know that our staff feel valued and respected and to have been fiscally responsible in what will be a financially challenging year for all.

4. The scariest thing I’ve ever done is…
I am very afraid of heights and whilst on a family holiday in Thailand last year I went zip lining at ‘The Flying Hanuman’ which encompassed 42 platforms. What pushed me through it is my eldest son is even more scared of heights than I am, so we were able to encourage each other to get through it. It’s not something I feel I’ll have the need nor want to do again!

5. As a kid, I was…
Quiet and focused on sport. I had a love and a competitive passion for the water, which took me to levels within swimming and water polo that I never thought possible. On a not so competitive level I enjoyed basketball and soccer.

6. My guilty pleasure is…
Finding an isolated spot by the water, listening to the waves and enjoying the sunshine.

7. I’m scared of…
The dark. As a child I used to sleep with my light on and until I was in my early 20s I slept with my bedside light on. I’m not sure how this started however when I was 18 and a trainee nurse in Camperdown, I was chased to my car in a side street at the end of an evening shift, which perpetuated my fear of the dark further and into my adult life.

8. The most important thing I’ve learned in the last five years is…
When an opportunity arises, you need to embrace it with commitment and confidence, knowing that I have the skills and abilities to follow through to achieve a successful outcome.

9. If I had the day off today, you would find me…
With my parents. They mean the world to me and are not in good health, my time with them is precious so I spend many of my days off with them. If I’m not with them I enjoy long bush walks with my husband and kids if they are around.

10. To me, the best thing about the Macquarie community is…
The collegiality of our staff whilst working in the best interest of our patients. The amazing patient outcomes, our cutting-edge technology, the innovation and commitment to each other and our community is outstanding.