TELEHEALTH CONFERENCE 2011 Speakers
Heidi Warkill Facilitator, Statewide Telehealth Services, Qld
When I sit back and think about my life and what is important to me, it is the person I am and the person I have become through my Cultural Identity. I am passionate about what I do in my position and want to create better health outcomes for my people. I was born and raised in Rockhampton, and am of Aboriginal and Australian South Sea Islander descent. My Aboriginal descent is Kalkadoon who are from Mt Isa Region and my Australian South Sea Islander descent from Ambrym Island which is located in Vanuatu.
With the commencement of my work with Queensland Health in 2003, facilitating Cultural Awareness Workshops in Rockhampton for staff, I feel I have started to grow as a person using my cultural identity to educate others of my culture. In 2004 I transferred to Cairns continuing to work for Queensland Health in various roles including assisting Health Workers achieve Cert III in Aged Care, facilitating Cultural Awareness programs and assisting with the Implementation of the Indigenous Palliative Care Program then taking on a fulltime position with Statewide Telehealth Services as an Indigenous Resource Development Officer.
Statewide Telehealth Services has the ability to make a difference to Rural and Remote Communities by enabling better access to specialist services. With the use of today's technology such as Videoconferencing patients can access services without the need for them to travel too far from their Communities. Statewide Telehealth Services has given me the opportunity to expand my skills, my knowledge, my interest and my passion that everything I do, I know that I am doing it for my people and my community and this makes my day at work fulfilling.