Meet our Inaugural IGNITE Mentees
Today marked the beginning of the IGNITE Mentorship Program, with WCMICS welcoming its first group of mentees on site.
The six-month, hands-on program is designed to support healthcare professionals in leading meaningful, frontline-driven improvements to cancer care. Each mentee will be working on a medium-scale improvement project within their area of expertise, supported by dedicated coaching, structured learning, and protected time to focus, reflect, and create change.
IGNITE was built on the belief that those working closest to patients often hold the clearest insight into what needs to change. They understand their stakeholders and their individual health service landscape, making them perfectly positioned to implement the most effective ideas. We’re proud to invest in that potential.
Following a competitive expression of interest process, we’re thrilled to introduce our 2025 mentees – each bringing clinical excellence, passion, and a genuine commitment to improving patient outcomes across our network.
“IGNITE was designed to nurture the ideas and potential of those working closest to patients and it’s incredibly exciting to see that vision come to life with this year’s mentees. Ann-marie, Tiffanie and Jessica each bring thoughtfulness, energy and a strong desire to improve care. I’m looking forward to walking alongside them as they turn their insights into action.”
– Kate Whitehead, Program Lead/Mentor, IGNITE Mentorship Program.
Ann-marie Freyne
Senior Dietitian, Royal Melbourne Hospital
With over a decade of international experience across Australia, Ireland, and the UK, Ann-marie brings a wealth of knowledge in surgical and oncology nutrition. At RMH, she focuses on upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgery, with a particular interest in pancreatic cancer care. Her commitment to improving quality of life and nutritional outcomes in complex surgical patients makes her an exceptional addition to the program.
Tiffanie Nakos
Grade 2 Orthoptist, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Tiffanie’s work spans general ophthalmology and ocular medical imaging, with a specialty focus in ocular oncology. Her dual expertise as both an orthoptist and an accredited medical sonographer of ocular structures allows her to deliver uniquely detailed assessments of complex eye conditions. Passionate about clinical education, she also mentors future orthoptists through student placements.
Jessica Jong
Clinical Dietitian, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Jessica is currently embedded in the upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary streams at Peter Mac, where she supports patients navigating complex cancer treatments. With a dual degree in Nutrition Science and Dietetics from Monash University, Jessica has worked across regional and metropolitan oncology settings. She’s especially driven to improve the patient experience and outcomes throughout the cancer journey.
We can’t wait to see what they achieve.
Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing project updates, learnings, and reflections as the IGNITE program progresses.
