Board of Directors
Prof. Gemma McErlean
Gemma is a registered nurse with over twenty years’ experience in cancer‑related health care, research and education, spanning inpatient, ambulatory and community settings in Australia and the UK. Her career includes direct patient care, clinical research, evidence‑based practice, quality and service improvement, project management, medical writing, higher education teaching and HDR supervision, supported by extensive postgraduate study including a PhD (USYD Medical School), a Master of Public Health (Health Promotion) and a Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Winston Churchill Fellow, having travelled to leading US cancer centers, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, to study models of care for cancer and haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors.
She has led and collaborated with expert cancer groups for state agencies such as the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation and the Cancer Institute NSW, including as Project Lead for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Long‑Term Follow‑Up Project, one of the Agency for Clinical Innovation’s most research‑productive programs. Gemma now combines her clinical, academic and governance expertise in the conjoint Professor of Cancer Nursing role and as Co‑Vice President of CNSA, where she focuses on advancing survivorship care, strengthening the cancer nursing workforce, and building nurse‑led research and models of care nationally.
- Phone:
- 0403 776 117
Ellen Heywood
Ellen Heywood is the Deputy Director of Nursing & Operations for the Cancer Program at Alfred Health. With 24 years’ experience in cancer nursing and operational leadership, she has led the development of innovative, patient-centred models of care across some of Victoria’s leading cancer services. Ellen holds a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Cancer Stream) and a Master of Business Administration, which enhances her strategic insight and deep operational expertise. She is passionate about building high-performing teams and services that deliver evidence-based care and exceptional outcomes for people affected by cancer.
- Phone:
- 0418 919 760
Sue Bartlett
Sue works as an Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Grampians Health Ballarat. She has worked in various clinical, coordinator and project management roles in metropolitan, regional and rural centres which has allowed her to develop many varied skills and knowledge in leadership and management, quality and safety risk, management, consumer involvement, education, practice development and research. Sue is passionate about regional and rural health provision and ensuring equitable patient access to specialised cancer care for regional and rural patients.
Sue has been a member of CNSA since 2008 and over the years has become involved within CNSA committees both within Victoria State Group as Chair until March 2021 and is the current secretary of the Cancer Nurse Practitioner Specialist Practice Network. She completed her Graduate Certificate in Cancer & Palliative Care in 2008 and completed her Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice - Nurse Practitioner in Medical Oncology at the University of Melbourne in 2018.
Sue has been involved in multiple nurse led service provisions including establishing and implementing the Symptom & Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) at Grampians Health Ballarat along with developing and rolling out an immunotherapy patient alert card used throughout regional Victoria.
- Phone:
- 0438 330 485
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/sue-bartlett-021b4a1b0/
Gillian Blanchard
Gillian is an Oncology Nurse Practitioner at the Calvary Mater Newcastle, NSW, Australia and has been working in Oncology with a clinical focus for the last 25 years.She currently holds a conjoint lecturer position with the University of Newcastle and has been actively involved in the CNSA for more than 20 years. She has held positions as both Deputy Chair and Chair and committee member of the CNP SPN and the former Hunter Regional Group. Gillian is also an active committee member of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care.
Gillian is actively involved in many current oncology projects around symptom management and clinical redesign as both principal investigator and co-investigator and has published in these areas. She has a strong interest in supportive care, immuno-oncology and endocrinopathies and is driven to improve patient’s cancer experiences.
In her spare time Gillian provide assistance locally to nurses writing for publication and also provides medico-legal reports as an expert witness, and also continues her interest in Integrative Oncology currently studying a degree in complementary therapies
Mark Lock
Mark is a Chartered Governance Professional who works with membership organisations, not-for-profits and small businesses to support best-practice governance, strategy, change and risk management.
Mark’s early career involved working as a pharmacist, managing pharmacies across several states in Australia including rural regions of Victoria and remote areas of the Kimberley and Pilbara in Western Australia before moving into a career as an executive leader and CEO in health membership and education associations.
Mark has an MBA, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds Fellowships with the Governance Institute of Australia, the Australian and New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy and the Chartered Governance Institute. Mark is a director on several boards of organisations in health, disability and community associations.
As someone with lived experience as a cancer patient, Mark has a deep understanding and appreciation for the critical role and impact that cancer nurses have on the lives of patients and their families.
Dr Nicole Gavin
Nicole Gavin is an experienced nurse leader, clinician researcher, and strategic advisor with over two decades of expertise in haematology, stem cell transplantation, and cancer care. She currently serves as Director of Nursing and Midwifery – Research & Academy at Metro North Health and in a conjoint academic appointment with Queensland University of Technology.
Nicole completed her Doctor of Philosophy at Griffith University and holds a Graduate Certificate in Health Service Innovation. She is undertaking the Australian College of Nursing Nurse to Board program (in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors), strengthening her governance, risk, and strategic leadership capability.
She has an extensive background in haematology nursing and clinical research, leading studies that improve supportive care, vascular access, and patient outcomes and experiences. Nationally, she has contributed to CNSA as former Chair and current Academic Advisor of the Vascular Access Device and Infusion Therapy Specialist Practice Network, co-leading the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines.
As a CNSA Board Director, Nicole is committed to strengthening the voice of cancer nurses, advancing nursing-led research, and promoting equitable access to high-quality cancer care.
Justin Hargreaves
Justin Hargreaves (BN, PGDipN(Can&Pall), MAdvNursPrac(NPRAC) is a Nurse Practitioner at Bendigo Cancer Centre, Bendigo Health, Victoria, and previous Chair of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) Cancer Nurse Practitioner Specialist Practice Network.
Justin completed his Master of Advanced Nursing Practice at the University of Melbourne in 2010 and was endorsed as a Nurse Practitioner in 2011. He works full-time at Bendigo Health Cancer Centre, where his clinical focus includes patient assessment, management of chemotherapy and immunotherapy-related toxicities, breast cancer survivorship, oral anticancer therapies, and supportive care.
Justin has been an active leader in advancing cancer nursing and Nurse Practitioner practice nationally. He stepped down as Chair of the Cancer Nurse Practitioner Specialist Practice Network at the end of 2025 after helping shape the growth and strategic direction of the network.
In June 2025, Justin joined the CNSA Board as a Director and looks forward to contributing at a broader strategic level to support professional leadership, influence the future of cancer nursing, and advance innovation in cancer care across Australia.
A/Prof Olivia Cook
Associate Professor Olivia Cook is a registered nurse, educator and researcher with 20+ years experience in the fields of cancer nursing and women’s health. In July 2025, Olivia commenced a brand new joint appointment as Associate Professor of Cancer Care Nursing at Alfred Health and Monash University. This role is focused on building a nurse-led research program in cancer care and enabling nurse engagement in research. Prior to this appointment, Olivia was the Head of Nurse Education and Research at the McGrath Foundation, supporting the 300+ McGrath Cancer Care Nurses located across Australia.
Olivia’s research is focused on cancer care and the cancer nursing workforce, with the ultimate aim of driving equity and improving the experience and outcomes of people experiencing cancer. Olivia has been a member of CNSA for 10 years and has served on both the CNSA GYN-SPN and the Research Standing Committee previously and is very pleased to be re-joining the RSC.
Dr Carla Thamm
Dr Carla Thamm is a Senior Research Fellow and clinical lead in the Cancer Survivorship Program at Flinders University, working from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. She is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in cancer nursing, bringing 20+ years of clinical nursing experience and 10 years of academic engagement. Carla’s career spans diverse roles in Australia and England, including advanced practice cancer nursing, clinical leadership and tertiary teaching and curriculum development. She leads a substantial research program focused on cancer survivorship, patient navigation and nurse-led models of care, contributing to national programs and frameworks that inform practice and policy. Carla also actively contributes to advancing the nursing profession and cancer care through various professional leadership roles in national and international cancer organisations.
Jenny Gilchrist
Jenny Gilchrist is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner specialising in breast oncology, with over 20 years’ experience across oncology and palliative care. She is committed to advancing clinical trials and improving patient care, quality of life, and outcomes.
Jenny serves on the Executive Board of the Australasian Society of Breast Diseases, is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for Breast Cancer Trials, and sits on the Strategic Advisory Group for Breast Cancer Network Australia. She has contributed to the ABC7 and ABC8 international consensus panels, helping shape global guidance for metastatic breast cancer care. From 2019 to 2024, she was Chief Clinical Lead – Metastatic at the McGrath Foundation, supporting the national expansion of metastatic McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
Board Of Directors Position Descriptions
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