Connecting with women's health
A discussion about stigma, barriers and women's health issues, including the future of women’s health and MS.
Regular health checks and screenings are vital for managing wellbeing and overall health; however it can be difficult to know what are the right health checks to have at the right time. This webinar is presented as part of the MS Australia Community Program for Women’s Health Week 2023. Our panel of experienced nurses will discuss the health checks you need and deep dive into the barriers experienced by women in accessing these checks. We will give you the up-to-date medical recommendations on the tests you need and practical tips.
Please join Jodi Haartsen, Nurse Practitioner, Louise Rath, MS Nurse Consultant, and Joanne Perks, Nurse Practitioner, who will approach the topic with the honesty and passion that nurses bring to the conversation.
Presenters
Executive Manager Client Engagement and Wellbeing Jodi Haartsen is a registered MS Nurse who has helped thousands of patients over her 20 years’ experience at Eastern Health MS service in Australia, in several roles including nurse educator, research nurse and nurse practitioner. Jodi is the 2022 winner of the global MS Brain Health Leader Award in the Independent Healthcare Professionals category.
Jo Perks
Jo Perks is a nurse practitioner and midwife with significant experience within the public health and NGO sector, where she specialises in women’s health across the lifespan, working with marginalised populations.
Jo is passionate about the provision of respectful and high quality care for women under her care, where she believes that advocacy plays a significant role. Jo has been involved with the Australasian Sexual Health and HIV Nurses Association since its inception in 1991 and has been an executive member for 30 years. Jo is also a Council Representative of the Coalition of National Nursing & Midwifery Organisation as an ASHHNA representative in an advisory role.
Jo’s significant contributions to sexual and reproductive health recognised with several awards and nominations. In 2018, Jo received the ASHHNA Life Member Award, a finalist for the HESTA Nurse of the Year award in 2016, and awarded the Liverpool LGA Award for Outstanding Care to the Community in 2014.
Louise Rath
Louise Rath is the MS neuroimmunology nurse consultant at Alfred Health in Melbourne, Victoria. She has over 20 years’ experience in public neurology services including outpatient appointments. Louise is the nurse clinical lead at the Alfred Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Clinic focusing on patient experience, promoting engagement in health care and developing health literacy documents for the service with consumers.
Published September 2023
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