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- Kerry Patford, McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse
Meet Kerry Patford, McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse
Kerry Patford is the Chief Nurse at the McGrath Foundation, where she supports, mentors, and collaborates with Nurse Clinical Leads across all Australian states and territories alongside the cohort of McGrath Cancer Care Nurses spread across Australia.
Drawing on decades of nursing experience, particularly in regional and rural healthcare, Kerry brings practical insight and strategic thinking to help nurses deliver high-quality, patient-centred care, regardless of location.
Kerry began her nursing career in 1988 at Rockhampton Hospital, and in 1997 completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Charles Sturt University. In 2002 Kerry completed her graduate certificate in breast cancer nursing, followed by her master’s degree in cancer nursing in 2013.
Kerry joined McGrath Foundation in 2009 as its 23rd nurse and was appointed to the role of Chief Nurse of the Foundation in 2018. In 2024 Kerry stepped away from clinical practice to dedicate her time to the McGrath Foundation in its transition to supporting people through all cancers.
With deep expertise in remote health systems, Kerry is passionate about bridging the gap between rural and metropolitan cancer care. She works closely with McGrath Foundation Nurse Clinical Leads to navigate complex challenges, offering solution-focused guidance that supports the best outcomes for patients.
Kerry also plays a key role in national projects, including the development of the McGrath Model of Care for all cancers, and contributes to broader cancer care strategies through partnerships with agencies.
New South Wales has welcomed its first dedicated First Nations McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Shannon Henderson. Based in Broken Hill, Shan will provide culturally safe, clinical and emotional support to First Nations people facing cancer, helping improve early detection, treatment access and health outcomes across the Far West region.
The Alice Springs community will receive a significant boost in cancer care with the appointment of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Pauline Otieno, specialising in supporting people and their families experiencing any type of cancer.
The Rockingham area will receive a boost in cancer support with the appointment of a new McGrath Cancer Care Nurse. Dinah Tegan will be supporting people experiencing any type of cancer. Dinah will be based in Rockingham General Hospital, and brings the number of McGrath Cancer Care Nurses in Western Australia to 37.
Darwin will receive a boost in cancer support with the appointment of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Jackelyne Gacosta, specialising in care for people experiencing gynaecological cancers. This brings the total number of McGrath Cancer Care Nurses in the area to three, joining two existing roles supporting people experiencing breast cancer.
Kristyn Schilling joined the McGrath Foundation in late 2024 and is one of our first specialist nurses providing care to people going through Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary & Gynaecological Cancers.