James Wright
James is a 25-year veteran nurse. Most of his early career was spent as a specialist adult and paediatric emergency nurse. He has worked as an Orthopaedic and Surgical Clinical Nurse Consultant (specialising in trauma and hip fracture) and managed the five emergency departments in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, south of Sydney.
In 2016, James was awarded two prestigious prizes from the NSW Premier for Service Level Improvements in Healthcare: it was the first time ever that a nurse had been bestowed a Premier’s Award. James has presented at national and international conferences and run education sessions for groups of up to 400 people.
James currently works with the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry delivering his passion – improving patient experience. He has published several peer reviewed research articles and written a chapter in the only Australian published trauma nursing textbook.
James is a relaxed instructor that shares his personal stories to help students contextualise and apply their learnings to the real world. Sessions are hands-on, solution focused and tailored to the learners.
He lives with his wife Natalie, who is an ICU nurse and the Executive Officer for the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. They share their house in St Peters, Sydney with four children and one fish.
James will be coordinating the NSW arm of HEC, focusing on business development and course delivery. Please don’t hesitate to contact him if you have any questions about running a course in your local area.
Sherryn Lethlean
Sherryn has extensive experience in healthcare, health education, health program management and facilitation. Specialist areas include healthcare education, vaccination education and program management, infection control and health/wellbeing education program development and employee health management.
Sherryn is a passionate health advocate with many years of expertise in all levels from clinical nursing & midwifery, teaching, program coordination to Director level within the Department of Health Covid Response Infection Control Team. Sherryn has worked with people from all different walks of life, backgrounds, social circumstances and careers. With years of experience prior to nursing in modeling, public speaking, television, and fitness, Sherryn is fortunate to have experienced life in such dynamic and varied professional fields, which have greatly influenced her health career. Personally, Sherryn has completed body sculpting competitions, two half marathons and many fitness events in the past, striving to put into practice her learning’s from years of participation and personal advocacy in health.
Qualifications include Bachelor of Nursing, Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery, Certificate in Fitness and Personal Training, Sports Nutrition, Certificate in Immunisation (Nurse Immuniser Program), Cert IV TAE, Graduate Certificate of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, and currently studying Postgraduate Psychology, Master of Public Health (with specialised subjects in vaccination and chronic disease management), and a Certificate IV in Nutrition and wellness coaching.
Dr Sharyn Ireland
Dr Sharyn Ireland has an extensive background in Emergency and Intensive Care Nursing and education and was awarded a Doctor of Nursing for her thesis. Publications from this work have influenced the clinical assessment and management of hypothermia in major trauma patients both locally and world-wide.
In 2020, Sharyn was invited to participate in a podcast hosted by Trauma Victoria to discuss the early identification of the hypothermic patient, physiological effects of hypothermia and management strategies for major trauma patients.
Early in 2021, Sharyn was invited to become a faculty member by the ANZCEN Clinical Educator Incubator; a professional development program for clinicians engaged in health professional education. Sharyn continues this voluntary work today.
During 2021, Sharyn was employed by Critical Care Education Services and Medcast as an education consultant to contribute to the development of a national curriculum to upskill health care professionals in light of the pandemic and anticipated skill shortages. This successful program enroled over 20,000 health care professionals to complete the on-line program and attend virtual classrooms.
Sharyn has a passion for simulation-based interprofessional education. At the Centre for Health Innovation in Melbourne, Sharyn continues to deliver education using various education platforms to support the development of healthcare professionals as they prepare to enter the clinical environment.
In 2021, Sharyn became a volunteer driver for Angel Flight. Access to health care for all is important. This is one way that Sharyn is able to contribute to the community to ensure that people have access to medical appointments without incurring any financial burden.
Recently Sharyn joined the team at Health Education Collaborative where she supports health care professionals learn how to remain safe and informed working in their clinical environments during the pandemic.
Rebecca Latimer
RN BN Nurse Immuniser, Certificate Clinical Pilates
Rebecca has been nursing for 20 years and has spent the last 14 years working as an emergency nurse in Victoria’s busiest Emergency Department. Prior to working in emergency department nursing, Rebecca worked in aged care/home based care, along with working as a practice nurse in private GP clinics.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebecca has helped establish and run fever clinics across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, as well as working as a nurse immuniser delivering both influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations to staff and the public.
Rebecca is passionate about health prevention and education, and her goal is to empower all individuals she works with to improve their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.
Outside of work, Rebecca has a keen interest in health and fitness, and recently completed her certificate in Clinical Pilates instruction.
