After nearly 45 years of nursing service to the public Joanne Cooper has retired from her current role as CNC2 Specialist Palliative Care.
Jo began her nursing career at the tender age of 17 in 1978 at Griffith Base Hospital. She recounts the Matron at the time put the fear of God into all the nursing students.
“Thank goodness the profession has evolved from those days where tasks for the student nurse included washing bed pans!”
In 1990 Jo moved from the in-patient sector to community nursing and spent 12 years at Griffith and gained expertise in Palliative Care. Jo said during this time she met many everyday heroes quietly going about their life.
In 2001 the Griffith Area Palliative Care Service began operation, and she met Ian Hatton “A friendly Englishman with a passion for palliative care.” With his encouragement she completed a post-graduate certificate in Palliative Care.
In 2003 a position in NNSWLHD became available as a project officer and CNC1 in Aboriginal Health for a joint initiative between NNSWLHD and the Primary Health Network. From this position the Goorie Diabetes Complication and Assessment clinic was established with outreach to Jubullum village, and Mulli Mulli on a monthly rotation. The project won quality awards in 2004, 2006 and in 2005 took out the NSW Health Aboriginal Health Award.
In 2007 Jo completed a post-graduate certificate in Health Management and was appointed to the position of CNC2 Palliative Care. Since that time Jo presented at numerous conferences, completed several research projects and also chaired the Palliative Care Nurses Australia Aged Care special interest group.
In 2021 Jo put together the first of the Specialist Palliative Care yearly symposiums and started a legacy in providing education in palliative care that continues today.
On her retirement Jo’s parting words were, “I would like to show my gratitude to all my colleagues and mentors I have had throughout my career, some of which are no longer living. You have taught me so much. I’d like to thank the many everyday heroes that invite us into their homes, whilst at their most vulnerable.
“Thank you for a wonderful career.”
