NSW State Branch

 

State Branch Calendar New South Wales 2024

Meetings are held via Zoom videoconference @ 3.30pm – 4.30pm on the first Tuesday of every even month. Details are emailed to NSW members by the Friday prior to the meeting.

An education session is provided before each meeting, with certificates of attendance for CPD. Please forward queries to the secretary: [email protected]

AASTN NSW Branch Executive

Colleen Mendes

AASTN NSW President

Colleen is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Stomal therapy at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH), Sydney. She has over 30 years nursing experience, with 15 years specialising in this field. Colleen has extensive practice in management of stoma, fistula, wound, continence, anorectal physiology and antegrade colonic irrigation. In addition, she has expertise in caring for the complex cohort of patients particular to RPAH who undergo pelvic exenteration and peritonectomy surgery. These patients primarily have dual stomas and complex abdominal and perineal wounds.

Colleen has contributed to professional service as one of the national executive committee members from 2018 to 2020 then the AASTN national executive Treasurer 2020 to 2022. Currently,  she is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Stomal Therapy Australia (JSTA) and has taken on the role of the NSW Branch President in February 2024.

Through research, Colleen is committed to providing evidenced based practice including implementing new evidence, collecting, and collating data as well as research project design. She has presented at conferences nationally and internationally.

Stomal Therapy Clinical Nurse Consultant
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Camperdown, Sydney

Brenda Christiansen

AASTN NSW Secretary

Brenda commenced leave relief in 2012 whilst completing her Graduate Certificate of Stomal Therapy through to 2019 when she gained a permanent position as a Stomal Therapy Nurse. She currently works in a community based position that services the local community and Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital. Her interests include equity in service provision, empowering nurses in the care and support of the patient with a new stoma and the supportive care of the person with a stoma.

Ambulatory and Primary Health Care

Nowra Community Health Centre

Nowra, NSW

Mitchell Eddington

AASTN NSW Treasurer

Mitchell is a stomal therapy nurse at John Hunter Hospital and Maitland Private Hospital. He grew up in the couuntry town of Dungog.

He is a fan of Marvel, Netflix and a good book on Audible. He began in the treasurer role in 2023.

John Hunter Hospital + Maitland Private Hospital

Anne Marie Lyons

AASTN NSW Committee Member

Anne Marie was born in Ireland and moved to England to begin RN training in 1989. She moved to Australia in 1997 and completed her STN education in 2000. Anne Marie has worked at Concord Hospital since 2001 and also worked at NSW Stoma Ltd since 2013.

Stomal therapy nursing is truly her passion as it incorporates all aspects of nursing that she loves: hands on, communication and education. She feels blessed to make a difference in peoples lives. 

Concord Hospital + NSW Stoma Ltd

Jenny O'Donnell

AASTN NSW Committee Member

Jenny completed her Stomal Therapy Certificate in 1985 and has been working at John Hunter Hospital for over 30 years. She was a member of the first Australian Team who travelled to Kenya for WCET AASTN Kenya Australia Twinning Project in 2013/14.

She regularly attends the Newcastle Ostomy Support Group meetings and has spoken at both local and national level. Jenny has been a Committee member for 2 years.

John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights

Jane Kulas

AASTN NSW Committee Member

Jane worked at Lismore Community Health as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for 15 years prior to becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Stomal Therapy Nursing and complex wound management at Clarence Health in 2021. As there are no other nurses with stomal therapy experience in the area, she also provides continence management.

She is passionate about making a difference and acting as an advocate for patients whohave a wound or stoma. She commenced her role on the NSW committee in 2023.

 

Clarence Health

NSW Scholarships

The AASTN NSW Branch is proud to provide annual scholarships to support education and research undertaken by our members. Applications for financial assistance are invited from members residing and practicing in NSW. Applications close on 31st July annually.

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