Intern Checkin Initiative - Monash Doctors Education

LINK TO MONASH HEALTH SUPPORTS

LINK TO non-MONASH HEALTH SUPPORTS

To view useful resource for your Check-in’s , click here

To view your self care plan document, click here

As an intern, you may at times feel overwhelmed or stressed. It’s okay to reach out and talk to someone because we believe no doctor should struggle in silence. All interns will be invited to have an informal chat – to ‘checkin’ – to see how they are travelling, what improvements we could make to the intern program, and importantly make sure all interns know what supports exist within Monash Health and beyond to support them.

What are some of the things that interns might want to talk to someone about throughout the year?

a great achievement; further learning opportunities; feeling unsupported; isolated; overwhelmed; fatigued; career decisions; mental health issues/concerns; talking through stressful events; professional conflict/stresses; assessments …..

At Monash Health we employ a Wellbeing Officer, Medical Education Officers and Directors of Clinical Training who all have responsibility for intern wellbeing and the intern program as a whole. Each has their own special interest areas, so interns should feel comfortable in approaching any of these staff.

Under this initiative, each intern will meet with a Chat-er. Here is an introduction to each:


	Joan Leo Joan Leo is the Education, Innovation, and Operations Manager at Monash Doctors Education. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare and education, Joan is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that empower clinicians and enhance patient care. Joan’s role involves leading educational programs, fostering innovation, and ensuring smooth operations to support your professional growth. As a registered podiatrist and an advocate for lifelong learning, Joan thrives on designing creative solutions for complex challenges, especially in rapidly evolving environments. Joan has worked across various roles in health services and universities, blending expertise in strategy, leadership, and facilitation to improve service delivery and professional development. Joan enjoys connecting with people and exploring new ideas to make healthcare education engaging and impactful.
	Rosemary McKemmish Rosemary is a registered nurse & midwife with over 20 years’ experience in HMO Management. She is passionate about the pastoral care of doctors and loves her role as the Monash Doctors Wellbeing Officer. She has 2 daughters & 3 grandchildren. She is a Melbourne Demons tragic & has belonged to the same Book Club for (OMG!) 40+ years. She loves bush camping & caravanning, canoeing, cooking for friends and very early morning walks with Lexie, her Jack Russel terrier.
	Danielle Fong Danielle is a Radiation Therapist with 8 years of experience in providing care to cancer patients. Recently, she served as the Clinical Educator, where she developed educational resources and training programs for both staff and students, whilst also assisting registrars in their preparation for specialist exams in Radiation Oncology. Danielle enjoys connecting with people and helping others learn and grow throughout their medical journey. As a Medical Education Officer, and representative of the Individual Learning Program portfolio, Danielle is always eager to listen, engage and support you in reaching full potential. Beyond work, Danielle enjoys spending time trying new food, going to the beach or being amongst family and pets.
	Maddelin Knoll Maddie is a Critical Care Nurse with 7 years of experience in the emergency department. Having completed her Masters of Advanced Clinical Nursing in 2024, Maddie found her passion for health professions education. To blend her passion for education and hands-on clinical care, she worked as a Clinical Support Nurse in the Medical/Surgical environment and currently works as a Teaching Associate in the School of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences at Monash University within the Masters program. When she’s not teaching, working clinically in the ED or as an MEO, you can find her soaking up the sun with her golden retriever (Pippa), enjoying a coffee with friends or doing Pilates. Life is all about balance, and I’m here for every sunny adventure!
	Daniel Browne Dan is a physiotherapist with 10 years of experience, who along with working in his substantiate role as a Medical Education Officer, maintains a clinical caseload as an Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in the Emergency Department. He also serves as a Teaching Associate at Monash University, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy programs. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and son, gardening, playing guitar, and coaching martial arts. He is a strong advocate for learner-centered education and emphasizes the importance of fostering both knowledge and resilience in the next generation of medical and allied health professionals.