About Us
WMAV Inc. was founded in 1990 and, together with wound management groups from each state and territory, is incorporated with the national body, the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA). In 2011 WMAV became AWMA(Vic) as part of the Australia wide restructure of Wound Management Associations.
The multidisciplinary members of AWMA(Vic) include medical practitioners, nurses, podiatrists, physiotherapists, pharmacists and trade representatives.
Aim of AWMA(Vic) Inc.
Today as never before there is a focus on best practice in wound management to achieve a high quality cost effective outcome for the patient/client and their carers.
Attaining effective wound management through education and support for its members is the aim of AWMA(Vic) Inc.
Role of AWMA(Vic) Inc. includes
- Providing networking facilities within the membership of Victoria and nationally through the Australian Wound Management Association.
- Facilitation of educational opportunities for the multidisciplinary health care team via Twilight Seminars and conferences.
- Facilitating members’ access to information about technical advancements in wound management products.
- Professional development opportunities through Education Grants (criteria applies).
Meet the newly elected AWMA(Vic) Committee
Jan Rice
President
president.vic@awma.com.au
Jan has been nursing since the early 70’s. Her passion has been surgical nursing, specialising in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Nursing for 15 years. She worked with Wound Foundation of Australia from 1994-2007 and in 2008 joined La Trobe University-World of Wounds. Her role there sees her teaching, mostly in Victoria but also other locations within Australia and overseas. She has her own Wound Consultancy Service in which she is mostly working in aged care, however is also often called by surgeons to assist with more complex wounds. Jan also took the initiative to set up a wound clinic in a busy Metropolitan General Practice where she operates the clinic most Thursday afternoons.
Jan is also the Nursing Rep for AWMA, currently Chairs the Education & Professionals Development Committee with AWMA and is on the Venous Leg Ulcer Development Guidelines Committee.
Ruth Angus
Vice President
vicepresident.vic@awma.com.au
Ruth has been nursing since 1983 initially in the hospital system and then as a district nurse in the UK. She immigrated to Australia in 1988 with her husband and settled on the Mornington Peninsula. Ruth continued working as a district nurse in Australia with RDNS and currently holds the position of Wound Clinical Nurse Consultant working at the Springvale site. She recently completed post graduate studies in wound care at Monash University and strives to increase everyone’s knowledge of wound care.
Charne Miller
Treasurer
treasurer.vic@awma.com.au
Charne Miller is a researcher in the field of wound management with the goal of expanding knowledge to prevent and treat wounds to improve the lives of those affected. With a background in psychology, she has post graduate qualifications in statistics, and is currently completing her PhD, her thesis exploring issues pertaining to informal caregiving. Charne is employed with Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Helen Macpherson Smith Institute of Community Health where she undertakes a range of projects in the wound management portfolio.
Dianne Carr
Secretary/Membership/Secretariat
secretary.vic@awma.com.au
Di Carr looks after the AWMA(Vic) Secretariat, is married with two adult children, both residing overseas. She runs her own business, Park Street Secretarial in South Melbounre, and has been working with WMAV for the past 9 years.
Her background is in Administration through various Managerial roles within the Corporate sector, including an Adminstration Manager role for Monash Neurology some years back.
Mandy Taylor
Regional Representative
regionalrep.vic@awma.com.au
Amanda has been a Podiatrist since 1999 and has been working in her own practice in regional Victoria, Wodonga since 2006. Working in all facets of Podiatry, wound management and the high risk foot is her passion. Many people think that health practitioners in the private sector don't deal with such issues, but in a rural setting....absolutely! She has a post graduate diploma in wound management through Monash University. Working in private practice and treating wound is a challenge. To do so successfully, Amanda has had to develop strong partnerships with other health colleagues and finds this approach to wound management rewarding and effective. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and boys on their farm, gardening, cooking and of cause eating good food.
Jana Gazarek
Connective Issues Editor
editor.vic@awma.com.au
Jana is a podiatrist by background with a keen interest in the area of wound management and high risk feet. She particularly enjoys working with interdisciplinary wound care teams. Jana's current role is a diverse one - leading 6 Allied Health disciplines, of which podiatry is one. Jana's real passion is working with teams and individuals in the areas of service development and innovation, research and leadership development. Outside of work, Jana enjoys spending time with family and friends and travelling the world. Jana joined the committee in 2010.
Carmen Pout
Education Officer
education1.vic@awma.com.au
Carmen is a Clinical Nurse Consultant with RDNS, based at the Moorabbin site 3 days a week. On the other 2 days Carmen works as a project officer on the Skin Awareness Program which is currently being developed at RDNS. Carmen is a current student of the Monash University Post Grad Diploma in Wound Care.
Linda Howell
Commitee member
education2.vic@awma.com.au
Linda is a Clinical Nurse Consultant for wound care, who has been with the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) for the past 25 years. She is a lymphoedema practitioner who has a passion for education to staff, clients and carers in best practice wound and lymphoedema care in the community setting. Linda hopes to one day open up a combined wound and lymphoedema clinic as part of RDNS services in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. She also has a desire to set up a leg ulcer club for isolated clients in the community. Linda is developing an interest in publication and presentation at conferences to further promote best practice wound care.
Ai Wei Ng
Public Relations Officer
pr.vic@awma.com.au
Ai Wei has 14 years of nursing experience both in Singapore and Melbourne. She has experience as a Nursing Lecturer, an Associate Nurse Unit Manager, a Nurse unit Manager and a ward wound nurse advisory and is actively involved in teaching and wound care. Ai Wei is a Clinical Nurse Consultant for Wound Management at Melbourne Health and also at HyperbaricHeatlh. She has completed a Graduate Diploma in Wound Care at Monash University and is currently completing her Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice at University of Melbourne. She is also a committee member of Victorian Vascular Nurses Special Interest Group (VVNSIG).
Felicity Morrow
Website Manager
webmanager.vic@awma.com.au
Felicity is a Podiatrist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, coordinating the Diabetic Foot Unit. She has a keen interest in improving service delivery and promoting best practice in wound care and diabetic foot management. Felicity recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Wound Care at Monash University. She is also assisting in a current Honours research study for Nutrition and wound healing.
Stephanie DeVincentis
Professional Standards Officer
professionalstandards.vic@awma.com.au
Stephanie is a Clinical Nurse Consultant at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Stephanie discovered her interest in wound management early in her career and is passionate about the development of the industry. Stephanie has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Wound Care through Monash University. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys the company of friends and family; she loves to travel and is fascinated by other clutures.