Janice Finlayson

President

Janice Finlayson is a registered nurse and midwife with qualifications in training and assessment (QLD), Community Health (VIC) and Maternal and Child Health (VIC).

She has focused her expertise in bringing innovation into child and family health programs and currently is the Senior Child Health Policy and Program Officer in the Child Youth Health Strategy Unit within the Northern Territory Department of Health. In this role, Janice provides expertise in the development and implementation of the new standardised, systematised and evidence-based well child health program for the NT with key performance measures to include program coverage, compliance with program schedules and protocols, and timeliness of delivery of program services.

Jan has been involved in Queensland Child and Family Health Nurses Association (QCAFHNA) Incorporated since 2009. In 2011, Jan was accepted as one of the Queensland representative on the national board of Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Australian (MCaFHNA).

 Creina Mitchell

Vice President

Creina Mitchell is a registered nurse, midwife and maternal and child health nurse. Over the past 25 years she has worked in hospital, local government, state government and academic settings; predominately in areas related to maternal and child health.

Creina was the coordinator of the Child, Family and Community postgraduate nursing stream at La Trobe University, Victoria for over six years before she moved to Queensland in 2009. Currently she holds the position of Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University.

Since her move to Queensland, Creina has worked with other Queenslanders to establish the Queensland Child and Family Health Nurse Association (QCAFHNA), so Queensland has a voice on the National MCaFHNA Board. She continues to contribute to the maternal and child health nursing profession by active involvement in the state association.

Creina is currently the National MCaFHNA President and works with representatives from across Australia to further the field of Maternal Child and Family Health.

Nina Fairley

Secretary

Nina Fairley is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Child Health Nurse with The Townsville Hospital Health Service.

I am originally from Adelaide where I completed my RN training at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital in 1981 and my Midwifery training at the Queen Victoria Hospital in 1985.

I have worked as a Clinical Nurse in Child Youth Family Health since 2010, completing my Graduate Certificate in 2011 through The Australian Catholic University, achieving The Australian College of Children &Young Peoples Nurses Award for academic excellence (Fabiola & Oration & Convocation 2011)

Prior to 2010 I worked in the Oncology Day Unit as a Registered Nurse specializing in Apheresis nursing. During this time I played a led role in the planning and implementation of the Cancer Care Co-ordinator Service which assisted clients to navigate the health care system, providing support and education.

I look forward to working with the association this year and meeting new colleagues.

Kym Cunningham

Treasurer

Kym Cunningham is a Registered Nurse and Child and Family Health Nurse who has post graduate qualifications in Health Professional Education. For more than 25 years she has worked across the hospital, community, general practice and private sectors of nursing.  In that time Kym spent 8 years living and working in the Cairns region in clinical, home visiting, quality and managerial roles.

She has a strong interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and currently holds the position of Nurse Educator with the Australian Nurse Family Partnership Program in Brisbane.

Kym has been a member of Queensland Child and Family Health Nurse Association (QCAFHNA) since 2015 and is keen to contribute to the Child and Family Health nursing profession through her involvement in the executive of the state association.