Marching Forward for Women’s Health: Highlights from IPAA Victoria’s International Women’s Day Gala

Professor Shelley Dolan joined the RMH in August 2023 as Chief Executive. She is a familiar face in the Parkville Precinct, previously serving as the Chief Executive of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

In her previous roles, Professor Dolan has successfully led large specialist tertiary hospitals in the UK, including as Chief Executive of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Professor Dolan is a highly respected clinical and research leader with an impressive track record in health care, having successfully led major organisational and cultural change in Victoria and the United Kingdom (UK). 

Key capabilities include Executive and Non-Executive leadership across national and international bodies, strategy development, delivering excellence in quality and performance, overseeing large capital schemes and innovative research projects that require engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.

Professor Shelley Dolan has a PhD in the early diagnosis of sepsis in cancer patients and a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing. She is a Professor (Enterprise) of the Melbourne School of Health Science at the University of Melbourne.

She is Chair of the Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, a Board member of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, the Melbourne Academic Centre for Health, Melbourne Genomics and CRC Participant Director on the Board of Oncology One. In November 2022, the Minister for Health and Aged Care appointed Professor Dolan as a Member of the Cancer Australia Advisory Council.

Jayashri has conducted ground-breaking clinical research and is internationally acknowledged as a leader and expert in the field of Women’s Mental Health, in particular, for her innovative work on reproductive hormones and mental illness. Her world-first research in hormones and mental health has led to the development of new treatments for women with mental ill health. She developed and launched Australia’s first women’s mental health hospital at Cabrini Health in September 2021.

Jayashri received an Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 for her services to Medicine. In 2024, she received 2 prestigious awards from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP): the Ian Simpson Award for ‘the most outstanding contributions to clinical psychiatry through service to patients and the community’ and the RANZCP Senior Research Award, for ‘the most significant contribution to psychiatric research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand over the preceding five years’.

Nicole McCartney is a proud Yorta Yorta woman living on Bunurong country in Victoria. From a long line of strong matriarchs and advocates for Aboriginal rights, Nicole is a respected leader with over twenty years’ experience in Aboriginal health. 

As the inaugural Victorian Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser in the Department of Health, Nicole has spearheaded the delivery of an Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Division that is focused on embedding self-determination and cultural safety in the Victorian health system.  

Nicole’s work as the Manager of the Aboriginal Policy and Coordination Unit in Western Australia enabled her to work closely with Aboriginal communities on building models of health that reflect the holistic and cultural view of Aboriginal people and communities.  

With a strengths-based approach, Nicole brings a perspective to Aboriginal health that is built on respect, empowerment and importantly, an approach that is strong in culture. Nicole works to break down structural barriers to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can experience health and wellbeing with a strong focus on collaboration, building enduring relationships with stakeholders and the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.   

Holding a Science degree from Murdoch University and with significant experience with both State and Commonwealth governments, Nicole is highly skilled at navigating health policy and reform. Over the last 3 years Nicole has worked tirelessly to deliver a culturally safe COVID-19 health response for Aboriginal people in Victoria and is highly regarded by her peers at the Department of Health.   

As a proud mother of four wonderful children and a mad Tigers supporter, there is a never a dull moment in Nicole’s day. 

Professor Marion Saville is the Executive Director of the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. Professor Saville’s extensive career has focused on cervical cancer prevention, delivering and leading laboratory and registry services that support public health programs, in particular screening and vaccination programs.

Professor Saville’s research and implementation projects demonstrate that it is possible to deliver high quality, acceptable cervical screening in a range of resource poor settings locally and in the Western Pacific Region. Professor Saville was appointed as a member (AM) of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2020 for her significant service to women’s health.