May 2005

International expert on workshop visit

Therapist and author Nancy Cincotta (back row, third from left) and the group that organised her visit to Melbourne.

A therapist who has worked with chronically-ill and dying children and their families for more than 25 years in the U.S. has conducted a series of lectures, workshops and consultations in Melbourne.

New York-based Nancy Cincotta—who has written two children’s books about cancer and has numerous publications and presentations in the fields of paediatric social work and palliative care—addressed nursing, medical, counselling and allied health professionals and parents.

Her visit was organised by a consortium comprising the Department of Human Services (DHS), Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Southern Health, Very Special Kids (VSK), the Cancer Council and the Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program and funded by DHS.

More than 100 professionals attended the DHS-organised Facing the End of Life at the Beginning of Life: Practice, Policy and Future Directions in Paediatric Cancer and Palliative Care seminar where Ms Cincotta was keynote speaker.

Ms Cincotta—Psychosocial Director of Camp Sunshine, a retreat program for families of children with life-limiting illnesses and families of children who have died—held a series of staff consultations at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Medical Centre and Very Special Kids focusing on work with children and parents, bereavement care, nursing practice, staff support and the contribution and value of volunteers.

She also facilitated a Cancer Council of Victoria workshop for parents.

The workshop followed the launch of Parents’ Cancer Connect—a peer support telephone support service that is a joint initiative of the Cancer Council, the Royal Children’s Hospital and Southern Health.

The committee that organised Ms Cincotta’s visit comprised Michael Bramwell (DHS), Jane Miller (RCH), Julie Mogan (RCH), Liz Wynne (RCH), Jacqui Robinson (RCH), Nicole Tokatlian (RCH), Maria McCarthy (RCH), Carol Quayle (Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program), Glenda Bawden (Southern Health), Lorraine Jenner (Southern Health), Andrea Murphy (VSK), Annabel Bakes (VSK) and Giovanna Pignalosa (Cancer Council of Victoria).