Larissa (Lara) has been a RN for over 30 years and has worked across multiple sectors in clinical, research, education and management roles.  Currently, Lara is a Nurse Practitioner - Palliative Care Aged Care and manages the Clinical Services Team (comprised of CNCs in Dementia, Palliative Care and Grief Counsellors) for a large not – for – profit aged care organisation. 

 

Lara has a passion for palliative care and advanced care planning and has always strived to deliver care in a framework of safety, quality and dignity.  To ensure her practice is relevant, Lara has committed to lifelong learning and along with her undergraduate qualifications, Lara also holds a graduate diploma in applied epidemiology and research, and masters’ degrees in public health, health administration, palliative care and nurse practitioner.    

 

Lara is a Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Fellow of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), Member of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) and other relevant memberships.  Lara is active with national and state bodies and is a member of the Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) Knowledge and Implementation Hub Palliative Care Evidence Advisory Group, Agency for Clinical Excellence (ACI) End of Life and Palliative Care Executive Committee, a Director of Pain Nurses Australia (PNA), Chair of the Palliative Aged Care Network (PACN) and Board Member and Vice Chair of Coast and Country Primary Care (CCPC).

 

Lara believes it is important to contribute and to share knowledge related to palliative care and ageing and shares her learnings through presentations and publications. 

 

In her down time Lara is an active member of her local Surf Life Saving Club and enjoys spending time with her three sons, husband and three dogs.