HSANZ News

HSANZ is pleased to announce Dr Matt Wright as the Chair of the newly established HSANZ Education Subcommittee. 

Matt is a clinical and laboratory haematologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth and current HSANZ Councillor with a strong commitment to haematology education. He brings extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development and is a national examiner for both the RCPA and RACP.

Matt has long been a passionate educator within the haematology community and is well placed to lead the Subcommittee’s work in strengthening educational resources, enhancing learning opportunities and supporting key HSANZ educational initiatives.

We were delighted with the quantity and calibre of applicants to the recent expression of interest for the newly established Early Career Group. Folllowing an interview process, we are pleased to welcome Dr Amanda Goh as the Chair of the HSANZ Early Career Group.  

Amanda brings extensive trainee advocacy experience through roles with the CJCT in Haematology, the RACP College Trainees’ Committee and Queensland Trainees Committee, alongside long‑standing involvement in HSANZ.

She is committed to strengthening connection, education and representation for trainees and early career haematologists, with a clear focus on engaging, educating and empowering the next generation.

With the appointment of Amanda, Dr Stephanie Anderson will be ending her term as the Early Career Group Representative and handing over to Amanda in the next 3 months. HSANZ extends its sincere thanks to Stephanie for her outstanding contribution. Stephanie has been a dedicated advocate for trainees and early career haematologists, bringing thoughtful insight, steady leadership and a genuine commitment to strengthening engagement across our community.

Her work has helped shape key initiatives, elevate trainee voices and support the ongoing development of the Early Career Group. We are grateful for the time, energy and care she has invested in this role, and for the positive impact she has made during her tenure.

Thank you, Stephanie, for your service and leadership

HSANZ congratulates Dr David Joske AM on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List for significant service to haematology and for pioneering the use of integrative oncology.

A respected haematologist, Dr Joske previously served as Head of Haematology at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where he helped shape haematology care and services in Western Australia.

He is also widely recognised as the founder of Solaris Cancer Care, established in 2001 to provide wellness and supportive care services to people living with cancer alongside conventional treatment. An early advocate for integrative oncology, his commitment to whole-person cancer care has positively impacted countless patients and families.

This well-deserved honour recognises Dr Joske’s outstanding contribution to haematology, cancer care and patient wellbeing over many decades.

HSANZ extends its warm congratulations to David on this significant achievement.

The Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ) is pleased to invite expressions of interest for the position of Haematology Editor for the Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ).

After 17 years of service as General Haematology Editor, Professor Peter Browett will step down from the role in 2027. To support a smooth transition, HSANZ and IMJ are seeking to appoint a successor who will commence in 2026 and join the Journal's Editorial Board.

The Internal Medicine Journal, published by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, is a leading peer-reviewed journal covering all areas of internal medicine. The Editorial Board comprises 32 specialty editors who work closely with the Editor-in-Chief to maintain the quality and integrity of the Journal.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established haematologist with a strong publication record to contribute to the advancement of haematology scholarship and medical publishing in Australia and New Zealand.

The role includes:

• Assessing manuscript submissions and selecting appropriate peer reviewers
• Making editorial decisions regarding suitability for publication
• Soliciting review articles and other scholarly contributions
• Advising on editorial policy and strategic considerations
• Supporting the Editor-in-Chief and participating in Editorial Board activities

Members interested in the position are encouraged to review the Expression of Interest document for further information.

Formal expressions of interest should be submitted directly to imj@racp.edu.au.

For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact:
Dr Paul Bridgman
Editor-in-Chief, Internal Medicine Journal
paul.bridgman@cdhb.health.nz

Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified members with an interest in medical publishing, peer review and advancing haematology research and practice.

The Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ) is seeking Expressions of Interest from members interested in joining the HSANZ Education Subcommittee.

The purpose of the Education Committee is to support the Council by providing strategic oversight, subject-matter leadership and advice in relation to HSANZ’s education and professional development activities.

The Committee’s role is to shape, curate and review what education and educational resources HSANZ (could) provide, and to advise on emerging clinical and practice gaps that may require educational responses and/or the development of clinical guidance, ensuring relevance, quality and alignment with HSANZ’s vision.

You can find the Terms of Reference the Education Subcommittee here.

 

Role of the Education Subcommittee

The Subcommittee will support HSANZ Council and the Education Subcommittee Chair in areas such as:

• Advising on educational priorities and emerging learning needs
• Supporting the development of educational activities and initiatives
• Contributing to webinars, workshops, online learning and conference education programs
• Promoting multidisciplinary and inclusive educational engagement across the haematology workforce
• Supporting innovation in educational delivery and member engagement
• Providing strategic input into HSANZ’s evolving educational platform and resources

Who Should Apply
We welcome EOIs from HSANZ members across all disciplines and career stages, including:

• Haematologists
• Trainees and early career professionals
• Nurses and allied health professionals
• Scientists and laboratory professionals
• Researchers

HSANZ Is particularly interested in members with:

• An interest in education and professional development
• Experience in teaching, mentoring or curriculum development
• Innovative ideas for member engagement and learning delivery
• A commitment to collaborative and multidisciplinary practice

Prior committee experience is welcomed but not essential.

Term & Expectations 

Subcommittee members will be appointed for an initial two-year term. 

The Subcommittee is expected to meet regularly as determined by the Chair, with additional involvement in educational initiatives and projects as required.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A short expression of interest (maximum one page) outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience
• A brief CV or professional biography

Applications can be submitted here.

Applications close: Sunday 31^st of May 11:59pm

For any questions regarding the role, please contact the HSANZ Office at hsanz@hsanz.org.au.

We encourage applications from members across Australia and New Zealand and from diverse professional and personal backgrounds.

Vale Dr Boyd Webster – Livestream Details

HSANZ members and colleagues was invited to join the livestream of the memorial service for Dr Boyd Webster, held on Tuesday 5 May at 3:00pm (AEST).

Boyd was a highly respected haematologist and a long-standing contributor to the haematology community across Australia and New Zealand. His dedication to trainee education, professional standards, and collegial engagement left a lasting impact on many.

A recording of the service can be accessed via the HSANZ Office at hsanz@hsanz.org.au.

Applications are now open for the 2026 PhD Scholarships and Fellowships, supporting emerging haematology clinicians, nurses, scientists and researchers across Australia and New Zealand.

These awards provide valuable opportunities for professional development, research advancement and collaboration for our members. If you have colleauges who would benefit from these opportunities, please feel free to forward this email to them and encourage them to apply.

In partnership with our co-funders, HSANZ is pleased to offer up to six PhD Scholarships and up to three Clinical Fellowships to be taken up in 2027. Full details, eligibility criteria, and application links for each Scholarship and Fellowship are available on the HSANZ website.

PhD Scholarships

• HSANZ – Leukaemia Foundation PhD Scholarship (up to 3 awards)
• HSANZ – Arrow Foundation PhD Scholarship (1 award)
• HSANZ – Walking Up the Hill Foundation PhD Scholarship (1 award)
• HSANZ – Blood Cancer New Zealand PhD Scholarship (1 award)

Clinical Fellowships

• HSANZ New Investigator Clinical Fellowship (up to 2 awards)
• ALLG / HSANZ Clinical Trials Fellowship (1 award)

Applications will close on Sunday 26 July.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement with HSANZ and for supporting the promotion of these opportunities across the haematology community.

We are pleased to invite Expressions of Interest to join the HSANZ Early Career Group, a Council-established group representing trainees and early career haematologists across Australia and New Zealand.

The Early Career Group plays an important advisory role to HSANZ Council, providing insight into the needs and priorities of early career members and contributing to initiatives that support professional development, engagement, and advocacy.

We are seeking applications for the following roles:

These roles provide an opportunity to contribute to the direction of the Society, represent your peers, and help shape programs and initiatives for early career haematologists.

Further information on the roles, including position descriptions and application requirements can be found here. 

If you are interested, we encourage you to apply or share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested.

Applications close: Friday 17 April 2026, 5pm

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jackie Yim, Company Secretary - hsanz@hsanz.org.au.

An open letter from a group of New Zealand haematologists, nurses and blood disease researchers, including many working internationally, has been released highlighting concerns about access to modern therapies for blood diseases in New Zealand.

The initiative was coordinated by the Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG) with support from HSANZ, and has been signed by numerous clinicians, nurses and researchers, including many HSANZ members and leaders of our profession. The letter was delivered to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and senior members of government on Friday, 6 March 2026.

Ensuring equitable access to effective treatments for people with blood diseases remains an important goal shared by clinicians, researchers and patient advocates across Australia and New Zealand, and is a key priority of HSANZ.

The letter highlights the challenges faced by clinicians and patients when effective therapies widely available in comparable health systems remain difficult to access.

Read the open letter here: March 6 Open Letter to NZ Government

Members and colleagues who wish to support this message may consider sharing the letter within their professional or personal networks. Even if you are not a signatory, you can still help amplify the message by drawing attention to the issues it raises.

New Zealand citizens or residents, or those with family or personal connections in New Zealand, may also wish to write to a Member of Parliament expressing support for improving access to modern therapies and clinical trials. Attaching the open letter in the correspondence may help provide context. Information on contacting New Zealand Members of Parliament is available here.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for people with blood diseases.

Dr Adam Bryant

President

Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ)

HSANZ is delighted to congratulate Jacqui Jagger, Nurse Practitioner, District Cancer Services, Central Coast LHD, who has been awarded the prestigious Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2025.

This recognition reflects Jacqui’s extraordinary 30-year contribution and leadership in haematology nursing and patient-centred care. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and compassion in advancing care for patients and their families.

At Central Coast LHD, Jacqui has led major improvements in haematology services — transitioning complex treatments from inpatient to outpatient settings, pioneering safe self-administration of chemotherapy at home, and establishing nurse-initiated pathways that reduce emergency department presentations and avoidable admissions.

She is widely recognised for creating safe, effective nurse-led services for patients undergoing intensive treatment, including those with acute leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Her work has strengthened models of care and improved experiences and outcomes across the region.

Beyond her clinical achievements, Jacqui is an active HSANZ member, regularly organising local meetings, and is a co-founder of the Myeloma Specialist Practice Network. She also serves as President of the Central Coast Myeloma Support Group, contributing to education, advocacy and fundraising — and has bravely taken part in the World’s Greatest Shave in support of her patients.

Jacqui’s contributions highlight the remarkable impact HSANZ members continue to make in haematology across Australia and New Zealand. We are delighted to celebrate her outstanding achievements and lasting legacy.

Pic L-R: Wendy Stanbrook-Mason (District DONM & Health Service Functional Area Coordinator HSFAC) | Rob Jagger | Jacqui Jagger | Brookie Cox (NM Cancer Services CCLHD) |
Dr Jennie King (Nurse Manager, Nursing/Midwifery Research CCLHD)