A new look at wellness

A driving force to the Centre’s vision is an ethos grounded in patient wellness. Bringing this to life is the Minderoo Wellness Centre.

At the heart of this transformative centre is Nicole Jackson, the Integrated Oncology and Wellness Manager. Nicole’s role is pivotal in shaping the Centre’s holistic approach to comprehensive care that looks beyond just treating the disease.

It is a role that would not be possible without the generosity of our donor community and the Minderoo Foundation.

“Integrated oncology is an evidence-based, specialised area focused on supportive care,” Nicole said. “It is a holistic model that complements normal medical care addressing the physical, emotional and practical needs of patients in a way that optimises health, quality of life and clinical outcomes.”

The Wellness Centre, with its bright, welcoming design and tranquil environment, embodies the philosophy of integrated oncology. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to flood the space, creating an atmosphere of calm and relaxation in a setting designed for healing and restoring a sense of normalcy.

Here, patients benefit from a range of services, including physiotherapy, nutrition counselling, psychosocial support, occupational therapy, yoga, pilates and art therapy, among others.

“We offer a patient-centred focus of supportive care, where we are looking at the whole person,” Nicole said. “Their physical needs, their psychological and emotional needs and practical issues to help people in their day-to-day life and thrive in everyday wellbeing.

“By addressing more than just the disease, we reduce the impact of their cancer treatment and their symptoms.”

For patients like Teresa Liano, the impact of the Wellness Centre has been profound. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017, Teresa’s journey through treatment included several rounds of stem cell transplants and CAR-T cell therapy.

Teresa is now in remission and while her medical treatment was effective, it was the holistic support offered at the Wellness Centre that helped her address the toll that cancer took on her overall wellbeing.

“I was very fatigued. It’s such a big thing, having this (cancer),” Teresa said. “I’ve got beautiful, supportive family and friends, but one thing I’ve realised since coming here is that I haven’t really been taking care of myself.”

For Teresa, the Wellness Centre has not only eased the physical toll of her treatment, but also transformed her emotional outlook.

“It’s made my heart bigger,” she said. “I don’t feel scared anymore. I feel like I owe a lot to The Alfred.” 

The transformative care of the Wellness Centre would not have been possible without the generosity of the community and Minderoo.

“In a big hospital like The Alfred that prides itself on excellence and amazing care, having the Minderoo Foundation facilitate getting a big new program off the ground is imperative,” Nicole said. “This Centre is the gold standard. 

“We are really lucky that they got on board because we can see the difference that the program is making.”

Read and download the full edition of Impact 2024 here.