Meet our team of healthcare, research and education professionals.
Dr Jeremy Lewin | MBBS, FRACP
Medical Director/Medical Oncologist
Jeremy is a medical oncologist with expertise in sarcoma and genitourinary malignancies. His areas of interest include developing new therapeutic strategies for young cancer patients with relapsed disease and rationalising surveillance strategies for those in survivorship. Jeremy is committed to the highest quality of youth-friendly clinical care and leading research priorities for the service.
A/Prof Kate Thompson | BA, BSW, MSW, PhD Candidate
Program Director
Kate is a social worker by training and has specialised in the area of oncology since 2004. Kate's current clinical and research interests include youth-friendly models of cancer care and building a multidisciplinary workforce in AYA oncology. She is currently undertaking her PhD at the University of Melbourne.
Ilana Berger | BASW (Hons), MAdvSW, PhD Candidate
Team Leader
Ilana is a social worker by training and has specialised in the area of oncology for over 25 years. She is committed to the delivery of evidence-based clinical care for young people affected by cancer and their families. Ilana's research interests are in the experience of palliative care for young people, families and clinicians. She also holds the position of Youth Participation Coordinator, ensuring the active engagement of young people in the design and delivery of cancer services.
Andrew Murnane | BaApplSci (HM), Grad Dip (Ex Phys), MaApplSci (Ex Rehab), AEP, PhD Candidate
Exercise Physiologist
Andrew has over 10 years clinical experience in prescribing targeted exercise programs aimed at improving cancer patients' outcomes through exercise. Andrew's research interests include looking at the late effects of cancer therapy on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and health behaviours.
Elanie Coyne | BSW (Hons)
Senior Social Worker
Elanie is a social worker by training, having practised in the areas of education and health for the past 15 years. She is passionate about supporting young people and their families in times of uncertainty, and throughout their health journey. Elanie’s research interests include grief and loss, end of life experiences and bereavement support. She is currently undertaking a Master of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne.
Olivia Doidge | BAppSci (Occ Therapy), GCertAdolHlthWelb (Onc)
Education & Vocation Consultant / Occupational Therapist
Olivia has completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Certificates in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing (Oncology) and Research. She worked as an occupational therapist at Peter Mac for 5 years prior to undertaking her current role providing education and vocational support to young people with cancer, where she acts as a strong advocate for young people to remain engaged with their study and work pursuits at every stage of the cancer journey.
Anna Gilkison | BMus, GradDipEd (Sec), MCouns
Education & Vocation Consultant / Youth Engagement Officer
Anna has a Bachelor of Music, Graduate Diploma of Education and a Master of Counselling. Her clinical interests lie in communicating, educating and advocating for young people experiencing a time of crisis. Anna has a wealth of teaching experience within the government education system, and more recently, a focus on counselling and supporting those living with serious illness. In her current role she provides educational and vocational support and assistance to young people living with cancer.
Tarnya Hotchkin | BSN, RN, Grad Dip (Grief Counselling- Child/Adol)
Clinical Nurse Consultant (RCH)
Tarnya has worked in oncology for over 25 years. She has a passion for working across the young person’s disease trajectory, particularly in the areas of sexual health, identity and wellbeing. Tarnya also has an interest in the transition of adolescents from paediatric to adult health care and palliative care.
Dr Lisa Orme | MBBS, FRACP
Paediatric & AYA Oncologist
Lisa is Paediatric, Adolescent & Young Adult Oncologist. She has trained at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, USA. In addition to her appointment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, she also holds a position as a senior staff specialist at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.
Tara Paris
Administration Coordinator
Tara has more than 15 years’ experience within the Parkville Precinct, having worked in a range of administrative and patient-facing roles at both the Royal Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Tara is passionate about ensuring all young people and their families have a positive experience at our service and is dedicated to making everyone feel welcome and at home when visiting the Youth Cancer Centre.
Samantha Van Staalduinen | BSc, MMedEd
Statewide Educator
Sam is an educationalist with a Master of Medical Education from the University of Sydney and more than 15 years of experience in various health science research, project management and program/curriculum development roles across Canada and Australia. Responsibilities of her current role include strategic oversight of a state-wide AYA education and training portfolio and the development of information and training initiatives for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Clinical Nurse Consultant *Currently recruiting
Exercise Physiologist *Currently recruiting
