Speaker Series: Children’s Cancer Care & Palliative Care: Joining Forces To Improve Lives For Very Special Kids & Their Families

Join PCT for a Speaker Series session on "Children’s Cancer Care and Palliative Care: Joining Forces to Improve Lives for Very Special Kids and Their Families" by Dr. Sherina MuBiru, Dr. Tom Walwyn, and Helen Starosta.

This session is designed for health professionals, specialists and the palliative care sector, paediatric oncology staff, community nurses and families interested in learning about the unique challenges and innovations in caring for children with cancer and their families. The speakers will explore how children can benefit from innovative health care to support patients who are receiving pediatric oncology and palliative care. 

In this session, the speakers will discuss:

• Key insights from the Paediatric Oncology field, including the holistic, supportive, inclusive, empowering and goal-orientated model of Paediatric Oncology and Palliative Care.
• The importance of effective care coordination for paediatric oncology and palliative care patients within Tasmania, ensuring that children and their families receive the comprehensive, seamless support they need throughout their healthcare journey.
• Speakers will discuss the top three challenges currently faced in Paediatric Oncology and Paediatric Palliative Care.
• Future directions that aim to improve the lives of children and their families, including family support and innovations in recognising and receiving pain relief and palliative care in oncology.

About the Speakers:

Dr. Sherina MuBiru is an Adult & Paediatric Palliative Care Specialist at the Royal Hobart Hospital. She brings extensive experience in providing compassionate and comprehensive palliative care for both adult and paediatric patients. Dr. MuBiru was involved in the development of theYarning Companion for children, a guide designed to facilitate important discussions. She noted, “I was inspired by a Rainbow Princess, whose story prompted the idea for children’s discussion starter cards. I contributed to the Yarning Companion with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues across Australia.”

Dr. Tom Walwyn is the Staff Specialist Paediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Tom previously worked at Perth's Children's Hospital where he led the WA Paediatric Oncology Survivorship Service. He has focused his work on improving outcomes for childhood cancer survivors through innovative research in population health and exercise medicine.

Helen Starosta is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Paediatric Oncology and Haematology at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Along with a dedicated nursing team, Helen provides care for young cancer patients, children with non-malignant haematological conditions, and those with immunodeficiencies and bleeding disorders. Helen's unwavering support for families experiencing paediatric oncology and/or palliation has had a profound impact on the Tasmanian community. Helen's dedication to nursing has been recognized through several prestigious awards, including:

• The Daisy Award (Teams), 2023 – Paediatric Oncology Nursing Team
• Tasmanian Public Sector Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, Finalist, 2020
• Pride of Australia, Tasmanian Finalist, 2014 – Paediatric Oncology Team

Session Details:

This Speaker Series will foster open discussions, with a dedicated Q&A session. It’s an excellent opportunity for attendees to engage directly with experts and deepen their understanding of care coordination, Paediatric Oncology and palliative care.