Dr Jo Doran is a doctor with over 30 years’ experience in palliative care.  She currently works for the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service as a senior consultant and is also an Honorary Adjunct Assistant Professor at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine.

Originally from the UK, she trained in London and completed her post graduate training in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. From 1999-2012 she was Area Medical Director for Palliative Care in Northern NSW. 

She has been a strong advocate and champion for palliative care by being involved in policy development and implementation on local, state and national levels. She was co-author of the first National Standards for Palliative Care, and Palliative Care Service Development Models, both documents continue to underpin palliative care service delivery in Australia today.

 As well as her leadership role, she is passionate about education in end-of-life care and is highly regarded as a guest speaker and lecturer. She is well known for her entertaining, original and informative talks, and always aims to challenge and inspire others with compassion, playfulness, insight and generosity. 

In recognition of her contribution to palliative care she was awarded the Palliative Care NSW Leadership Award by her peers, was nominated for NSW Woman of the Year by the Health Service CEO and more recently was nominated as Mentor of the Year in her current role.

Her greatest love has always been the bedside care of patients and teaching, which is now the main focus of her work.