Introducing our New Directors and Board Leadership
Meet our New Directors
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.
We are delighted to welcome Associate Professor Olivia Cook, Dr Carla Thamm and Jenny Gilchrist and look forward to their contributions as CNSA continues to support and advocate for cancer nurses nationally.
We warmly welcome Olivia, Carla and Jenny and look forward to their contributions as CNSA continues to support and advocate for cancer nurses nationally.
New President and Vice President
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
Following the AGM, the newly constituted Board met to appoint Office Bearers for the 2026–2027 term and we are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Gemma McErlean, President and Ellen Heywood, Vice President.
Both Gemma and Ellen are highly respected cancer nursing leaders who bring extensive clinical, research, strategic and governance experience to their roles. We congratulate them on their appointments and look forward to their leadership as CNSA continues to advance cancer nursing and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Thank You to Our Outgoing Directors
Anne Mellon
Anne is the Clinical Nurse Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology at the Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, a position she has held for the past 25 years. Anne is respected and depended upon for expert advice, mentoring and support, locally, nationally and internationally, as she contributes to many high-level committees and advisory groups, to help inform best practice gynaecological cancer care and improve gynaecological cancer outcomes. Anne is passionate about working with patients, their families and all levels of staff to ensure that the patient’s care is undertaken appropriately and that expectations are met.
Anne has been a valuable contributor to CNSA since its inception, holding positions of office on the National Executive Committee, NSW Hunter Regional Group, Communications Committee and Gynaeoncology Nurses Specialist Practice Network, of which she is the current Chair. Most recently contributing to the board as Co-Director of Education. She is dedicated to progressing the profession of cancer nursing and ensuring the continuation of a robust society.
- Phone:
- 0427 487 785
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/anne-mellon-117a2030a/
Meredith Cummins
Meredith is a highly driven and dedicated health professional who thrives on delivering world class care to cancer patients and enhancing the skills of other health professionals to deliver this care. She has been involved in Oncology for the past 35 years in metropolitan, rural, international, public and private settings.
Meredith has a Graduate Certificate in Oncology Nursing, Grad Certificate in Clinical Management, and a Graduate Diploma in Business. Meredith has been a member of the CNSA NSW Sydney Group for the past 10 years holding the position of Pharmaceutical Liaison Officer, and for the past 5 years to current the position of Chair. She has been on the organising committee for CNSA Annual Congress when it was held in Sydney and has coordinated and facilitated 2 Pre-Congress symposiums.
Meredith is currently the Chief Executive Officer for NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia and is embracing the opportunity to continue in developing and delivering World Class cancer care for neuroendocrine cancer. She has contributed to developing education materials for health professionals and patients internationally and been on Advisory Boards globally.
Meredith is also the current Chair of the CNSA Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
- Phone:
- 0419 287 585
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/meredith-cummins-240029a7/
Gabby Vigar
Gabby Vigar has been a cancer nurse for over 24 years, both in the inpatient and ambulatory care setting and in a variety of different roles. Gabby's main area of cancer nursing expertise is Radiation Oncology nursing. Her current role is Nurse Unit Manager of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, a position which she has held for over 6 years. Recently Gabby has expanded her Nurse Unit Manager role to include the management of the Cancer Outpatients Nursing Team and Cancer Administration Team Leader. Gabby very much enjoy's the opportunity to influence cancer nurses/nursing, particularly in the area of full scope of practice based on evidence.
Gabby has also worked in a number of state wide cancer nursing and project roles, which included federally funded cancer projects looking at cancer workforce issues and more recently as a Nurse Consultant for SA Cancer Service which gave her experience in state wide and national cancer initiatives. Gabby is currently a committee member of the South Australian Cancer Clinical Network. Gabby has a Graduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing and a Master of Nursing Science (Oncology Nursing). She is also currently the Deputy Chair of the CNSA Radiation Oncology Special Practice Network (RON SPN) and Chair of the CNSA South Australian State Group (SA SG).
- Phone:
- 0438 038 957
The Board also acknowledged the outstanding service of outgoing Directors Anne Mellon, Meredith Cummins and Gabby Vigar, who each concluded six consecutive years of service to CNSA.
A special thank you is extended to Anne Mellon, who concluded her term as President following six years of service on the CNSA Board. During Anne's tenure, CNSA experienced a period of significant growth and organisational maturity, strengthening its position as the peak body for cancer nursing in Australia. Anne's leadership, commitment to members and unwavering advocacy for cancer nurses have helped shape the Society's strategic direction and supported the delivery of initiatives that will benefit the profession for years to come.
Meredith provided exceptional leadership through her roles as Vice President and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and has been a strong advocate for cancer nurses through her representation of CNSA on the Coalition of National Nursing & Midwifery Organisations (CoNNMO); whilst Gabby has been a valued contributor to the Board, bringing thoughtful governance, strategic insight and a strong commitment to ensuring CNSA remains responsive to the needs of members and the broader cancer nursing profession.
We sincerely thank Anne, Meredith and Gabby for their dedication, expertise and countless volunteer hours in service of the Society and the profession.