Forks in the Road: A podcast exploring dilemmas in everyday leadership

Today’s guest is someone who brings a deep philosophical view to her work and her life. Dr. Josefin Elzén Junker is a Senior Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, one of the leading medical institutions in Europe. Dr. Elzén Junker is not only a leading clinician but also a critical care transport physician, flyin...

Today’s guest is Resa E Lewiss MD, an emergency medicine and lifestyle medicine physician. She is currently an adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in the US. She is also a TEDMED speaker, healthcare designer, and award-winning educator. In addition to her clinical and academic work, Resa is a widely published writer, contributing to both...

In the 25th episode of the Forks in the Road podcast, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland reflect on key conversations from episodes 20 to 24. They revisit discussions with remarkable healthcare leaders Dr. Tillman Ruff, Dr. Gopal Taori, Dr. Dion Forstner, Susie Tegan, and Dr. Joan Vitello, exploring pivotal moments and common themes such as the influence of personal background, resilience in t...

As a child, Joan experienced illnesses that required hospitalisation and surgery. During this time she came to deeply value the compassion and care shown to her by her paediatrician, which inspired her early aspiration to become one herself. However, her journey through medical school was marred by negative experiences, ultimately leading her to make the difficult decision to leave the program. Af...

Today we’re joined by Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the National Rural Health Alliance in Australia. Susi is deeply passionate about rural and remote communities, and her work spans health, economic development, primary industries, agriculture, and education across Australia. Susi is a strategic and energetic leader, currently serving on the Distribution Working Group for the Australian Governmen...

Today we are joined by Dion Forstner, a Radiation Oncology Specialist. His clinical expertise lies in the treatment of head, neck, and skin cancers. Dion studied medicine, graduating with honours from the University of Tasmania in 1994. He went on to train in Radiation Oncology in South Australia. Dion is based at both St Vincent’s Hospital and Macquarie University Hospital, and previously served...

In this episode of the Forks in the Road podcast, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland introduce Dr. Gopal Taori, the Clinical Director of Critical Care Medicine at Dandenong Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Taori shares his inspiring journey from India to Australia, his pivotal career moments, and the values of optimism and community service that guide him. He discusses how his experiences...

In Episode 20, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland engage with Dr. Tilman Ruff, a public health and infectious diseases physician and an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia. But Dr. Ruff is much more than his titles. His work and leadership have had, and continue to have, a profound impact on global health and peace. His career includes pivotal contributions to t...

In the latest episode of Forks in the Road , we take a reflective journey through the previous five episodes, distilling the key themes and powerful insights shared by our esteemed guests. These discussions shed light on the challenges, triumphs, and transformative experiences that shape leadership across diverse fields. Here are the key takeaways and emerging themes that can inspire and influence...

Welcome to today’s episode! We are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Andrea Austin, an emergency physician, educator, author, and advocate for physician well-being. Dr. Austin is a passionate changemaker, dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and problem-solving in the healthcare field. As a U.S. Navy veteran and former Lieutenant Commander, Dr. Austin brings a unique perspective with operatio...

Today, we're joined by Katherine Dowson, the Associate Program Director for Lived Experience in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Program at Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia. Katherine’s career began in child protection, but it was an experience working in Malawi, East Africa, after completing her Master’s in Public Health that truly shifted her career path. She describes her calling as being ro...

Today, we are joined by David Swain, the CEO of Endeavour Foundation, an organization that provides services to support people with disabilities. David trained as a nurse and started his career as a nursing officer in the Army. Unfortunately, a serious accident cut his time in the military short, forcing him to focus on recovery. That pivotal moment in his life brought with it valuable lessons and...

Today we are joined by Helen Angus, CEO of AMS Healthcare, Toronto, Ontario Canada. Helen has a Masters of Science in Planning and started her career as an urban planner but very early began working for the Government of Ontario. She has worked in a range of government roles, including working on the first comprehensive plans for cancer and chronic kidney disease services and on programs to combat...

Rob Moodie is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and an Honorary Professor at Kamuzu University in Malawi. He has held leadership roles at the Nossal Institute and the University of Melbourne's School of Population and Global Health. With a background in medicine and public health, Rob has worked globally in refugee healthcare and HIV prevention, incl...

In Episode 13 of the Forks in the Road podcast, hosts Anne and Stephen reflect on the journey from Episodes 7 to 12, sharing highlights, key themes, and valuable feedback from both their online episodes and in-person events held in Brisbane and Melbourne. The episode emphasizes the power of storytelling, with guests sharing personal and career-changing moments. Themes such as career design, the im...

In today’s episode, we are joined by Neeraj Lal, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Hospitals-Gujarat Region. With a rich background spanning over two decades in hospital administration across India, Neeraj is a seasoned professional driven by a relentless pursuit of quality. As an esteemed assessor for the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, Neeraj has conducted audits for over 40 hospi...

In today’s episode we are joined by Mathew Knight, General Manager - Victorian Rehabilitation Hospitals, Healthscope.   Starting with a passion for health and science, Matthew tells us how he chose the profession of physiotherapy. He reflects on the critical decision after his studies: hospital or private practice? Mathew chose the hospital route, believing it would offer broader experience. As a...

In today’s episode we are joined by Kelli Blakely, the General Manager of Ashford Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. Kelli has over 20 years of experience in the private health industry. Kelli emphasizes the significance of seizing opportunities, even when the timing doesn’t feel right . One pivotal moment for her was transitioning from nursing into a business development role, which greatly exp...

In today’s episode we are joined by Michael Symonds, Director of Forensic & Analytical Science Service at NSW Health Pathology in Australia. Michael started his career in diagnostic radiography and has transitioned into various leadership roles and specialty areas beyond his initial training. In our conversation, we explore the opportunities he encountered throughout his career and the crucial rol...

In today’s episode we are joined by Eddie Torral, Managing Partner of Intermedika Consulting based in Phuket, Thailand. Eddie shares his fascinating career journey providing insights into his diverse background, starting from his roots in Ecuador, growing up in Europe and his extensive experience in the hospitality industry in Asia, and his surprising transition to the healthcare sector. Eddie det...

In today’s episode we are joined by Richard Larison, Executive Vice President, Medpoint Asia, Manila, Philippines Navigating a career path is seldom a straight line. This notion comes remarkably true in our conversation with Richard Larison, a seasoned leader in hospital administration who has spent a significant part of his career working internationally. From his humble beginnings with an accoun...

In today's episode, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland delve into an insightful conversation, reflecting on the key themes and lessons drawn from interviews with leaders across various sectors in the first five episodes. From self-awareness to strategic mentorship, they highlight the valuable takeaways that have guided these leaders in making pivotal career decisions. 00:00 Introduction to For...

In today’s episode we are joined by Leonie Lloyd, General Manager, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Healthscope in NSW, Australia. With 27 years in nursing, including 15 in leadership roles, Leonie has extensive expertise in healthcare management. She played a pivotal role in the commissioning team for a new hospital in regional Victoria and advanced to the Executive General Manager role of that...

In Conversation with Dr Grant Muddle Ep. 4: Crossing Cultural Boundaries in Leadership In today’s episode we are joined by Dr. Grant Muddle, the Healthcare Director, of Besta Health, for a new state of the art tertiary hospital in Papua New Guinea. Grant’s extraordinary career began in the hospitality industry before he made a pivotal shift to healthcare in 2002, starting in aged care. He reveals...

Ep. 3: Embracing Challenges for Growth: Patrick McCrohan In conversation with Patrick McCrohan, the Associate Program Director of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Program at Eastern Health, Victoria, Australia. Patrick's journey into the realm of caregiving was deeply influenced by his upbringing in Ireland, particularly by his father's career as a paramedic. This early exposure instilled in him the...