The International Association for the Study of Pain, the Australian Pain Society, the New Zealand Pain Society, the Faculty of the Pain Medicine, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists and Pain Australia announce the 2019 Global Year Against Pain in the Most Vulnerable which continues through to 31 December 2019.

Proudly brought to you by Wodonga Institute of TAFE 'Global Year Against Pain in the Most Vulnerable’; Pain Conference will host seven industry professionals discussing pain management and experiences in the most vulnerable. This conference will provide professional development opportunities for professionals working across Health and Community Services sectors.

Guest speakers include:

Pamela Goldspink, Wodonga TAFE - Pamela is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years’ experience in pain management. She began working as a teacher of Nursing at Wodonga TAFE earlier this year. Prior to this she worked with Albury Wodonga Private hospital operating the Acute Pain Service, working in Recovery, and also as a WHS coordinator.

Jack Behne, Physiotherapist, Barbara Walker Pain Management Centre -  Jack is the Senior Pain Physiotherapist at the Barbara Walker Pain Management Centre at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne. He has a keen interest in examining our cultural representations of pain, and re-framing beliefs around these make up a significant part of his clinical and educational work. He has a Masters in Science (Pain Management) from the University of Sydney.

Joe Moran, Physiotherapist, Optimum Physiotherapy - Joe qualified almost 20 years ago and after owning his own practice in the UK, he relocated to the Border region 10 years ago. After working in a number of GP clinics, he and his wife centralised their practice, Optimum Physiotherapy, 2 years ago. They have a strong social conscience, and especially enjoy helping people who are on the margins of our community; particularly refugees.

Phil Wicks, Anaesthetist, Albury-Wodonga Health - Phil is a visiting anaesthetist at Albury Wodonga Health. He spent two years as a specialist at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne where he developed expertise in acute pain management, regional anaesthesia and nerve blocks. His current professional interests include early mobilisation after major orthopaedic surgery, acute pain management, and the pathophysiology and psychosocial aspects of chronic opioid use and chronic pain syndromes. 

Nick Sharrock, Geriatric Specialist, Albury-Wodonga Health - Nick is a specialist in Geriatric Medicine at Albury Wodonga Health. He graduated from Monash University and obtained his specialist qualifications in 2018 after completing advanced training at Eastern Health and Peninsula Health in Melbourne. Within Geriatric Medicine, Nick is primarily interested in falls, delirium, and the rational prescribing of medications.

Sue Reid, Nurse Practitioner, Tallangatta Health Service - Sue currently works at Tallangatta Health Service as a Nurse Practitioner and sees patients of all ages and across many specialty areas including pain management. She has been endorsed as a Nurse Practitioner for almost 6 years and has worked at major Hospitals including Royal North Shore. With almost 40 years’ experience in the health sector, Sue has qualifications in Midwifery, Maternal Child Health, Family and Community, Breast Care Nurse, Immunisation, FLEC, Sexual Health, Women’s Health, and she is also Masters NP: ALS trained. 

John Plate, Mental Health Nurse, Albury-Wodonga Health - John is a Mental Health Nurse with over 40 years’ experience in nursing and education. As a Nurse Educator he has a passion to inform, teach and decrease the stigma associated with mental illness. He has been a strong advocate in encouraging people with lived experience of mental ill health to share their stories to educate others on the issues around mental health. With the assistance of a very special guest, a discussion on hope, collaboration, and the right attitude will motivate listeners to further explore the options available to assist our most vulnerable clients to cope with pain.