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Cabrini Health – Brighton: Celebrating Cultural Diversity

What better way to celebrate our wonderfully diverse workforce than a chat over a fabulous spread of food from all corners of the globe!

On April 8, the Pastoral Services team at Cabrini Brighton organised a Harmony Day lunch, when staff members brought along a plate of food from their country of origin to share.

Attendees were treated to everything from Italian pizza and Indian samosas, to Filipino Puto – glutinous steamed rice cakes – and traditional Anglo Indian rainbow sandwiches, made up of a layer of green coriander, mint and green chilli paste, with a second layer of corned beef, and egg and mayonnaise making up the third tier.

Maria from Patient Services was the winner of some beautiful Italian soaps for top scoring in the cultural awareness quiz.

“We had a delicious, colourful lunch and sing-along at our Harmony Day celebration,” Pastoral and Spiritual Care Practitioner Cynthia White (and maker of the delicious rainbow sandwiches) said.

“It was a lovely way to recognise cultural diversity, respect and inclusion among our Cabrini staff.”

A number of Harmony Day events were held across our sites to mark the day and to say “no” to racism.

Love is in the air at Cabrini Health!

Ebi Joseph from Logistics and diabetes educator Asha Mary Kurian were pretty much strangers when they married 22 years ago, after their families arranged their marriage.

So, while they may not have started married life madly in love, more than 15 years of working together at Cabrini and two children later, the couple most definitely are now.

Each Valentine’s Day, Ebi usually likes to cook a special dinner for Asha, but this year, they had to settle for a quick catch up at work, as Asha had an evening flight to India with their daughter on Friday.

Ebi and Asha are just one of many couples who both live and work together at Cabrini. ICU NUM Mebin Babu and his wife Bena, one of our nurse educators, are also married, and there’s Marney and Vas Siganakis, who can often be found together in theatres – on levels 1 and 2 at Cabrini Malvern, not The Palais or
Princess Theatre!

There’s also Renante and Angela Dulay, Dip and Exa Carpenter, Rolly and Scarlet Mahinay, and April and James Gindang – just to name a few.

Hope everyone felt the love this Valentine’s Day!

Cabrini Health to Launch First Neurodivergence Assessment Center Designed for Women

Cabrini Health will continue to pioneer female-focused mental health programs in 2025, by introducing the first ADHD and Autism assessment center specifically for women.

As the first women-only mental health facility in Australia, Cabrini’s Women’s Health Centre offers gender-sensitive, acute care for conditions such as PTSD, burn-out, mood disorders and addiction. Approximately 50% of our patients have either been diagnosed with or are seeking assessment for ADHD or Autism.

“The demand for ADHD and Autism assessments has remained high since COVID as more symptoms became apparent due to a sustained period of less socialization, structure and routine,” says Sharon Sherwood, Chief of Mental Health. In response, Cabrini recently launched a popular 10-week community day program focused on supporting women with understanding their neurotype and using a strengths-based approach to build strategies to use in daily life. Now, thanks to a grant from Cabrini Foundation and the generosity of its donors, Cabrini Women’s Mental Health is set to achieve another Australian-first and become the only female-focused ADHD and Autism assessment center.

“There is a strong correlation between mental health conditions, early life trauma and neurodivergence in women. However alarmingly, women struggle to receive an integrated diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They often don’t know how or where to find the right treatment and we aim to help change that,” said founding Medical Director of Cabrini Women’s Mental Health, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM.
“Too much of Australia’s mental health system is still generic and gender-blind. Women’s mental health is very different. Women need holistic, tailored models of care,” said Prof Kulkarni.

Cabrini Health continues to lead the way in creating female-focused mental health programs and this next step in becoming an ADHD and Autism assessment center in early 2025, means it can now support neurodivergent patients through their entire journey from diagnosis to ongoing treatment, via its tailored inpatient and outpatient programs.

A Most Outstanding Recognition

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Sue Williams, the CEO of Cabrini Health in Australia, advised that the Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Hub Service won a Commonwealth award for our primary care team of GPs and refugee health nurses in the category of “Ensuring all Australians have access to quality healthcare, wherever they live”.

This is an outstanding achievement given there were more than 140 submissions for this award, which was presented in Canberra by Prime Minister Albanese. Mark Butler Minister for Health and Ged Kearney Assistant Minister for Health were also in attendance.

Musical Charity: Voices Unite for Refugees

 

 

The Cabrini Choir and St. Joseph’s Music Ministry’s Soiree at Cabrini Chapel Malvern raised $2400 for the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project.

The event, attended by 180 people, continues a decade-long tradition of support.

Sr. Brigid Arthur praised the arts’ role in creating a better world.

The collaboration aligns with St. Frances Cabrini’s mission as Patron Saint of Immigrants.

Cabrini Outreach also supports refugees through their Health Hub in Northcote.

Cabrini Volunteers: Hearts of gold, hands of help

Cabrini Malvern’s Patient Services Volunteer Team shone brightly at the City of Stonnington’s 2024 Volunteer Awards, clinching the Community Group Award. The spotlight fell on four exceptional volunteers: Katina Yiannoudes, Isabel Kashyap, Jacquelyn Segal, and June Downes, whose combined service spans an impressive 60 years.

These remarkable women have touched countless lives across Cabrini Malvern, from the Emergency Department to the Cancer Wellness Centre. Their adaptability, warmth, and genuine care have been a constant comfort to patients and staff alike.

Recognised for their kind demeanour and heartfelt interest in others, this quartet embodies the true spirit of volunteering. They’ve mastered the art of putting patients at ease, proving that sometimes, the most powerful medicine is a caring presence.

Cabrini celebrates these unsung heroes who elevate the patient experience, one compassionate gesture at a time.

A Very Special Delivery: Baby Amelia arrives in Cabrini Malvern’s Carpark

In an unexpected turn of events that proves babies have their own timelines, new mother Ashleigh experienced a delivery she’ll never forget – in the carpark of Cabrini Malvern. What began as a routine trip to the hospital ended in a heartwarming scene that showcased the quick thinking of our expert medical team.

Originally scheduled for an induction, Ashleigh went into labour naturally and was managing well at home. When her pain began to escalate, she asked to come in to be evaluated for an epidural. However, as they arrived at the emergency entrance, it became clear that her baby wasn’t prepared to wait. “I knew we were cutting it close,”
Ashleigh recalls. “There was no way I was making it out of the car.”

The responding team, including Assoc. Nurse Unit Manager Amanda Clark, Midwife Rachel Guerra, Hospital Coordinator Jess Purcell and a cast of others quickly sprang into action. However, baby was not waiting around. Ashleigh delivered little Amelia before most of the support arrived.

“Baby was pink and in mum’s arms. We ensured her safety and immediate care was given to mother and baby on a very cold day,” Midwife Rachel explains.

After the excitement, mother and daughter were moved into the hospital for post-natal care. Both are doing well, with Ashleigh expressing gratitude for the team’s expertise and compassion.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Amelia was born healthy and strong. “It wasn’t the birth we planned, but it’s certainly a story we’ll be telling Amelia for years to come,” Ashleigh says, smiling.

In Loving Memory

On the evening of Tuesday June 25, the Chapel at Cabrini Hospital Malvern was overflowing for a Memorial Service honouring the memory of those who have died over the past few months either as an inpatient or cared for at home.

Three times per year Cabrini’s Pastoral and Bereavement Support Team welcomes family members young and old to a service of poetry, reflection, music, reading and prayer.

Without doubt the emotional highlight of this service was when the name of each person being honoured was read by Cabrini Brighton’s Cynthia White with family coming forward to light a candle in memory placing it near their loved one’s photograph. It was a pure expression of the impact and effectiveness of Cabrini’s mission to care and serve with love.

Group Director of Identity & Mission, Margaret Stewart, commented that it was ‘…an exquisite experience of what it means to be Cabrini. I was humbled and proud to be part of a memorial liturgy of such grace, dignity, and deep compassion.’

Cabrini Health Australia Celebrates Refugee Week: Fostering a Sense of Family and Freedom

Refugee Week, June 16-22, celebrates “Finding Freedom” with a significant focus on family, the heart of the refugee journey, which encapsulates resilience and unity.

This sentiment of family resonates deeply within our Cabrini community, where we strive to create an environment that nurtures the human spirit, regardless of background. We celebrate the power of compassion and the impact that a sense of family can have on the lives of those who have weathered unimaginable challenges.

To honour Refugee Week, Margaret Stewart, Group Director, Identity and Mission, had the privilege of spending a day at the Cabrini Outreach Centre in Northcote. She was deeply moved by the staff’s warmth and dedication, which truly embody the spirit of compassion and support for refugees. Their commitment to embracing each individual, offering a sense of belonging and safety, is a testament to Cabrini’s mission of fostering a family-like environment for those in need.

During Refugee Week, the focus is on raising awareness about refugees, their challenges, and the positive impact they have on the Australian community. Cultural events are arranged to foster unity and understanding among communities. At Cabrini, we embrace cultural diversity and celebrate multiculturalism.

National Volunteer Week Celebrated at Cabrini Health

“Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action.”

~ Helen Dyer

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This year’s National Volunteer Week theme in Australia was ‘Something for Everyone’ and this aptly describes the variety of volunteer roles undertaken at Cabrini. Such roles include social visits, patient phone calls, sacramental care, asylum seeker support, music making, wig room fittings, as well as, helping people find their way around the labyrinth of Cabrini corridors.

In a recent ceremony held in the Malvern Chapel 39 volunteers were recognized for their length of service ranging from 2 to 30 years.

Tessa Bennett, pictured right with Chief Executive, Sue Williams, and Director of Support Services, Jenny Nicholson, has enjoyed 30 years as a Cabrini volunteer. Tessa is typical of our volunteers whose kindness and caring is generously given to support the wellbeing of Cabrini patients and staff alike. Tessa believes there is something special about Cabrini and she feels she gets as much joy out of volunteering as she gives to our patients and staff – there truly is ‘Something for Everyone’ in volunteering!

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