HEP Heroes

I currently lead the liver cancer program at Cancer Council Victoria, where my focus is on bringing together the viral hepatitis and cancer sectors. These are two incredibly strong fields, and when we connect them, we can share ideas, unlock new funding opportunities, and ultimately improve outcomes for people at risk of liver cancer.

Jayashree spent two years as the Cultural Liaison Officer at the South East Public Health Unit (SEPHU), supporting people newly arrived to Australia to navigate the health system and access hepatitis follow-up care under Health Undertaking requirements. Her work led to increased treatment offers, stronger linkages to care and more vaccination recommendations, with many community members expressing how much her support meant to them.

Meet Paulie Stewart — musician, transplant recipient, youth worker, and one of our Hep Heroes.

Viral hepatitis is an important health care problem in Australia. We now have effective treatments that can significantly reduce morbidity, mortality and transmission. Health care providers might be unaware that some patients they care for might be living with viral hepatitis.

I first learned about hepatitis as a nurse and back then the treatment was nothing like it is now, I have seen the impact that hepatitis has had on people. My priority is to try and educate my clients without prejudice and see the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

I have been involved with LiverWELL since 2017 and feel the need to do more. As a public speaker and through hearing stories from other HEPSpeakers, I felt sad that they have to go through stigma, which they shouldn’t have to.

Pisith Prak is a former Doctor in Cambodia holding a Bachelor of Medicine, and I co-host a show on Facebook with for the Cambodian Community in Australia.

For the last 25 years I have worked in liver health as a gastroenterologist, specialising in hepatology. My days mostly involve treating people in need of liver transplantations at the Austin.

I feel strongly and passionately that all Australians should have equitable access to high quality healthcare and that stigma and discrimination should not be a barrier to receiving that care or be contributors to preventable deaths from untreated or managed viral hepatitis.

I’m a registered nurse of 20 years, and have always worked with vulnerable communities. I worked in South Sudan for Doctors Without Borders, and have a background in blood-borne viruses (BBVs), infectious diseases, refugee health and emergency departments. Currently I am working as a nurse with Victoria Police.

As it is so important to help inform people about hepatitis early enough, so if they have hepatitis, they will have time to take the right measures to ensure they do not develop potentially life threatening issues.