Compassion, Courage, Consolation: Voices for St Vincent’s during COVID-19 St Vincent's Health Australia

In the final episode, Dan speaks with Toby Hall - Group CEO of St Vincent's Health Australia. In a wide-ranging discussion, Toby shares his reflection on how St Vincent's has responded to the pandemic through its aged care, private hospital, and public hospital services, noting both the extraordinary front-line and back-office work that has been required of our people during this time. Toby draws out a number of amazing stories of this time, and St Vincent's amazing history, to hone in on what our Mission calls us towards. The conversation then moves to the future: where to from here? As Toby notes, there are challenging times ahead, which bring with them new opportunities to write the next chapter's of St Vincent's Mission in action. And to end the series, Toby provides a huge thanks - to our people, not just on his behalf, but on behalf of the Mission whose call we've answered at this time.

*Bonus extended interview*
In this episode, Dan speaks with Sr Clare Nolan, who is congregational leader for the Sisters of Charity Australia.

Along with the material from the shorter episode, Sr Clare shares her own story of vocation as a Sister of Charity, along with a number of other beautiful reflections on the healing ministry and what Mission looks like today.

*Please note - an extended version of this interview is available as a bonus episode *
In this episode, Dan speaks with Sr Clare Nolan, who is congregational leader for the Sisters of Charity Australia. Sr Clare shares some reflections on how the Sisters have responded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and sheds light on some of the huge changes they've led together in response. She reflects on her own experience at the front-line of the HIV/AIDs epidemic: what it was like to continue the Mission at that time, and what supported her and the others involved to do so. Sr Clare also shares her insights into the St Vincent's response to COVID-19 as echoing that same Mission in action, and finishes with some beautiful words of encouragement to the St Vincent's community.

*The extended version includes more stories and reflections from Sr Clare, including her own story of how she came to her vocation as a Sister of Charity.

In this episode, Dan speaks with Melinda Jolly, who is Pastoral Care Coordinator at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Sydney. Melinda shares her reflections on the experience of the pandemic as a staff member, and also some of the remarkable wisdom she's encountered in elderly patients that she has been caring for at this time. Drawing from the strength of family and faith, Melinda speaks about her commitment to being a vessel of light in all of life, including in her service at St Vincent's. She echoes the wisdom of those she's been caring for at this time: this too shall pass. At time of recording this episode, the world is lamenting the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in the US, and we're seeing global protests in response. Melinda and Dan take some time to talk about this in the context of St Vincent's commitments to reconciliation: another integral aspect of continuing the Mission.

In this episode, Dan speaks with Ken Gallacher, who is Group Chief Information Officer for St Vincent's. Ken provides an insight into some of the enormous changes his team have seen, and effected, over this time, and provides insights into some of the remarkable ways that technology has supported the work of St Vincent's during COVID-19. Ken shares some of the amazing milestones and innovations we've seen during this time, where he goes for courage and consolation, and a heartfelt thanks to everyone across St Vincent's.

In this episode, Dan speaks with Dr Chris Jacobs-Vandegeer, who is a lecturer in the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. Chris has worked closely with many of our senior leaders at St Vincent's as well as others in Catholic health and aged care. Chris shares his personal reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, his confidence in our leaders, and invites us into a deep consideration of the themes that frame the podcast: compassion, courage, consolation. His overriding message is that we learn from the past and from our traditions to empower us to provide care in the best possible way today.