Building and Connecting Nurse Leaders in Vanuatu
The Leading in Learning Health Systems Program, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Awards and delivered by the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and Melbourne Children’s Global Health, recently ran its first course for nurse leaders in Vanuatu.
Pictured: Leading in Learning Health Systems Program participants.
Twenty dedicated nurse leaders from Port Vila Central Hospital attended a 3-day course from 2 - 4 September 2024, led by Professor Amy Gray, Head of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne, and coordinated locally by Dr Thyna Orelly, a passionate paediatrician in Vanuatu.
After attending the course in Melbourne last year, Dr Thyna saw the opportunity to empower nurse leaders at the hospital by sharing skills in leadership, learning, and data-driven decision-making to improve health services. The course created a much-needed space for these incredible leaders to connect, learn from one another, and share their experiences.
One of the most moving moments during the course was hearing from nurses who shared that, despite working in the health system for more than 20 or 30 years, this was the first time they had received training in the leadership and team development skills essential for their roles.
As the course wrapped up, the conversation quickly turned to what’s next. Participants are eager for follow-up support to help them make impactful changes and take action. They’re also passionate about expanding this opportunity to other health workers in Vanuatu. The momentum is building, and we are excited to see where it leads.