Following Professor Bodil Rasmussen’s recent decision to step down from the Chair of Nursing role, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Rochelle Wynne as our new Chair of Nursing in the Western Health-Deakin University Partnership.
Rochelle has previously been the Professor of Nursing and Director of the Western Sydney Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre at the Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney University. In this position Rochelle headed the nurse-led and midwifery-led research program and innovative practice improvement across the largest and most culturally diverse health district in New South Wales. Not dissimilar to Western Health, Western Sydney Local Health District was undergoing rapid expansion to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population. Rochelle’s leadership capabilities enabled her to foster a culture of collaboration and she doubled the nurse-led and midwife-led research outputs. Her own program of research in cardiovascular conditions led to the development of key local, national and international interdisciplinary collaborations.
Rochelle is also the Editor in Chief of the Contemporary Nurse Journal and an Honorary Professor of Nursing at University of Wollongong. She has been successfully awarded multiple grants, has actively published book chapters, original research and commentary in peer reviewed journals. She is also committed to ongoing professional development, supervising PhD, Masters and Honours students. Rochelle has recently worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital as a Clinical Nurse Consultant within Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Rochelle is excited about the opportunity to contribute to Western Health’s vision, to enhance its reputation as a leader in research and innovation, and to work with the partnership team to further enrich our research program.
Rochelle will commence on 29 January 2024. Please join me on congratulating and welcoming her to Western Health and the Western Health-Deakin University Partnership.
Also, please join me in acknowledging the amazing legacy that will be left by our outgoing Chair of Nursing Professor Bodil Rasmussen, and I thank her for her remarkable tenure and supporting a smooth transition.