Tracey O’Brien: Incredible moments at Cancer Institute NSW meetings

Tracey O’Brien posted on LinkedIn:

“The Cancer Institute NSW face to face meetings don’t happen every day, but when they do, there are some incredible moments that really stick with me – today’s was no exception.

We were privileged to have special guest Jie Pittman, a proud first nations leader and cultural practitioner share his moving and highly personal story as well as his perspective on the cultural determinants of health. Supported by our very own Shantala Prior and Anthony Carter his words left many of us laughing, then speechless and then nodding in agreement when he spoke of the connection we all have with each other as people. As health workers focussed on reducing cancer inequities that exist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, his story really hit home and reminded us all, that so much more is needed to reduce cancer’s devastating burden.

It was also a highlight to channel my inner Oprah and ask Secretary, NSW Health Susan Pearce AM some questions on the work of our health system as part of a special fireside chat. Susan graciously opened up on the challenges affecting health and shared her inspiring words of wisdom, particularly on the importance of kindness and having perspective. Susan’s achievements are extensive but at the heart of her work is the delivery of safe care to the people of NSW that we’re privileged to serve, often at their most vulnerable.

A big thanks to Jie and Susan for inspiring, challenging and leading with humanity and heart.”

Source: Tracey O’Brien/LinkedIn

Dr. Tracey O’Brien is the NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Australia. Before her current role, Tracey was Director of the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, and Director of the Transplant & Cellular Therapy Program. Tracey has held numerous high-profile national and international leadership positions, including Advisory Chair, Cancer Australia; V/Chair (Africa, Asia and Australasia) International Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant Research and V/President of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Oncology Group.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Tracey was profiled in 2023 as one of the world’s foremost women in paediatric cancer by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. In 2019 Tracey was named in the Australian Financial Review’s prestigious Top 10 Women of Influence, winning the Innovation category. In addition to her medical expertise, Tracey has a Master of Law (Health) and executive MBA and serves as a conjoint Professor in Clinical Medicine (UNSW) and Honorary Professor in Science and Engineering (Macquarie University). Dr. O’Brien remains committed to mentoring the next generation of clinician leaders and maintains an active clinical practice in cancer survivorship at Sydney Children’s Hospital.