News: connected conversations
Connected Conversations | Andrea Davila
Andrea Davila’s passion for health care stemmed from childhood visits to clinical environments. After almost a decade’s career as a registered nurse, Andrea has now taken up the role of Simulation Coordinator and nursing academic in the Adelaide Health Simulation. Between teaching, running assessments, and industry outreach, Andrea balances her life with her love of cooking, pranks, and a good cup of coffee.
Connected Conversations | Bailey Deverell
PhD student, Bailey Deverell, always knew a path in health was for him. But he never thought he’d fall in love with teaching. The perfect combination of doing the research he loves, and organising and planning (with a beloved stationery collection), Bailey strives to share his passion with his students. Between time in the lab and time in the classroom, Bailey also loves to get out and about hanging out with friends, playing sport, gaming, and taking his Border Collie puppy to the beach.
Connected Conversations | Chien-Li Holmes-Liew
Chien-Li Holmes-Liew is not only a well-regarded clinical titleholder, helping to shape the new Bachelor of Medical Studies degree at the University of Adelaide, but also one of South Australia’s leading lung transplant physicians at CALHN. Recently recognised for her exceptional contributions to the University of Adelaide community as a titleholder at the 2021 University Awards for Outstanding Achievement, she has gone above and beyond to ensure she leaves a positive impact on the people in her life. After many years climbing the career ladder and becoming one of the best in her field, Chien-Li now strives to contribute to building a better world for future generations, which includes her six-year-old daughter, Olivia.
[Read more about Connected Conversations | Chien-Li Holmes-Liew]
Connected Conversations | Laura McNamara
Before she transitioned into administration as a Student Operations Officer, Laura McNamara, lived a past life as a library assistant in the Barr Smith Library. For 15 years, Laura spent her days nurturing her lifelong love for literature, history, and the arts. With a passion for history, origami, and almond lattes, Laura hopes continue bringing kindness and light to everything she does.
Connected Conversations | Joash Tham
Joash Tham is a fourth-year dental student from Singapore. Ever since landing here in Adelaide back in 2019, Joash has carped every diem, seizing as many opportunities as possible to enhance his skills, life experience and world-view. Aside from being a talented singer songwriter, surfer, baker and hip-hop dancer, Joash believes his faith has put him on the path he’s travelling today. Also, he has a soft spot for Michiru’s Oyakodon.
Connected Conversations | Mary Butler
How does one go from medieval pottery expert to occupational therapist? Professor Mary Butler was first exposed to the field when she worked at an asylum in Scotland, where she fell in love with the value of the work occupational therapy provides. Now the Program Head of Occupational Therapy at the University of Adelaide, Mary has been instrumental to the successful delivery of the occupational therapy degree’s first student intake in 2021, relocating from New Zealand to South Australia for the opportunity. Among other things she loves about Adelaide, Mary enjoys riding her electric bike into work along the River Torrens every morning.
Connected Conversations | Neha Kasture
How do you balance a love of art, music, writing, dance, science and medicine? Neha Kasture uprooted her life in New Zealand six years ago to pursue a career in medicine. Taking a break from medical school last year, she completed an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences to further explore her interests in mental health. Now, a year from completing both degrees, Neha dreams of a life practising medicine, dabbling in research, and continuing her myriad of creative hobbies.
Connected Conversations | Brooke Pearce
After being diagnosed as profoundly deaf 30 years ago, high-achiever, Dr Brooke Pearce became even more determined to strive for success. Following a strong career in research, Brooke is now the Senior Teaching Laboratory Support Officer for the faculty and aims to improve teaching for both students and staff at the University. On weekends, you may find her playing netball, coaching netball, or umpiring netball.
Connected Conversations | Coral Yeung
After an offhand comment from a dentist, 18-year-old Coral Yeung uprooted her life in Mildura to study at the renowned Adelaide Dental School. Now in her final year of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Adelaide, Coral hopes her final placement in picturesque Tasmania sets her up for a fruitful career in clinical dentistry.
Connected Conversations | Millie Bird
Growing up in the Northern Territory with both parents working in the rural sector sowed the seeds for physiotherapy student, Millie Bird, to follow a similar path. After a six-month solo trip around Southeast Asia fostered a fierce love of meeting new people, and a conquest of the Alice Springs Larapinta Trail revealed the importance of nurturing the human body, Millie took the first steps towards a career in health. Her experiences have not only inspired her to pursue physiotherapy but have instilled a strong sense of responsibility for helping remote Indigenous communities.
