Arrow’s Professor Driscoll Scholarships have recently been awarded to three specialist nurses. Congratulations to:

• Charlotte Anderson, Royal Hobart Hospital – studying the Principles of Cancer Care module
• Jaclyn Lindstrom, Calvary Mater Newcastle – studying Foundations of Haematology Nursing
• Jessica Cashford, Townsville University Hospital – studying Foundations of Haematology Nursing

Charlotte Anderson:

Charlotte didn’t give much thought to haematology nursing until she had an opportunity to work in the field.  Then, like so many of the nurses we support, she realised she’d found her calling in this challenging and rewarding area of patient care. Charlotte has recently gained competency in the administration of autologous stem cell transplants and is looking forward to developing her skills through the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing. She’s particularly keen to learn more about CAR-T therapy which will soon be offered at Royal Hobart Hospital.

Jaclyn Lindstrom:

Jaclyn says, “I have personal experience supporting a family member which inspired my commitment to retrain as a mature aged student. I have worked at the Calvary Mater Newcastle for two years, completing a Transition to Professional Practice in Cancer Nursing in 2022. Financial support [through the Professor Driscoll Scholarship] will allow me to concentrate my efforts on acquiring essential skills and knowledge to make a meaningful difference in my patients’ cancer journeys.”

Jessica Cashford:

Jessica has a keen interest in haematological malignancies and their treatments, particularly stem cell transplants. She enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing to increase her knowledge and understanding of cancer care and treatment as her hospital (Townsville University Hospital) is beginning to expand the treatments offered, particularly for haematology patients.

She says that being awarded the Arrow Professor Geoffrey Driscoll Nursing Scholarship “is a privilege that will allow me to complete this course and in turn provide contemporary, best practice and evidence-based care to our patient population. I look forward to implementing my knowledge gained from completing the graduate certificate in my every day care of our patients.”

We wish these three nurses the very best as they embark on further study in haematology and cancer care.

About the Professor Driscoll Scholarships

Professor Geoffrey Driscoll OAM, a well-known and highly regarded IVF specialist, had acute myeloid leukaemia and sadly succumbed to the disease in October 2016 after months of gruelling chemotherapy and an unsuccessful stem cell transplant. Professor Driscoll and his family were grateful for the expert care of so many nurses throughout their time in hospital and after his passing, Professor Driscoll’s wife, Mrs Jan Driscoll, established the Professor Geoffrey Driscoll scholarship in his memory. This scholarship is designed to support nurses in their haematology and oncology careers by helping to cover the costs of the Graduate Certificate of Cancer Nursing through the Australian College of Nursing.