Joan Ryan is a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. 
She has vast clinical experience across multiple settings and pioneered services for in patient, community, consultant teams and recently at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Cancer Centre.

Joan has a commitment to improving equity and access to Palliative Care in poorly resourced nations and within vulnerable populations within Australia. She has provided education in Nauru, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and India. Joan recognises the broadening diversity of cultural minorities, the homeless, poverty, and climate change impacting provision of Palliative Care.

 Joan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2019, for her contribution to Palliative Care Nursing education and advocacy.