Leading through times of change with Blessings Ndlovu

From growing up in a small village in Norway to leading research initiatives at NSW Health Pathology, Dr Bente Talseth-Palmer’s science career has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, Bente shares how shewent from establishing a genomics laboratory in Iceland to pursuing a PhD in cancer genomics in Australia. She talks about the impact her mother’s cancer diagnosis had on her career and reflects on balancing a successful research career with family life, a lifelong love of nature, as well as giving back to her local Hunter Valley community through sporting organisations and domestic violence support services. Today, as NSW Health Pathology’s Research Operations Director, Bente helps medical researchers access the expertise, data and resources needed to drive cutting-edge discoveries that are improving health outcomes for patients.

Nigeline Sio’s passion for science began in high school, where she competed in chemistry titration competitions and discovered a love of laboratory work. Today, as Laboratory Manager at NSW Health Pathology’s Blue Mountains laboratory in Katoomba, she leads a team delivering vital diagnostic services to the local community. In this episode of Pathologically Speaking, Nigeline reflects on a career that has taken her across rural and remote laboratories in Queensland and the Northern Territory before settling in NSW to raise her family. She talks about why improving health outcomes for remote and marginalised communities has been a driving force throughout her career, and the important role pathology plays in ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.

In this episode we speak to Iain Hutchinson, Laboratory Manager at NSW Health Pathology's Moruya Laboratory on the state’s South Coast. Having started his career with NSW Health as a wardsman at just 18, Iain has built his expertise across some of Sydney's busiest laboratories before making the move to a small regional lab and taking up a management role. Iain talks about the unique challenges and rewards of delivering pathology services in a large coastal catchment, leading a regional laboratory team through the Black Summer bushfires, and helping plan the new state-of-the-art laboratory at the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

In this episode we speak to Professor Sandra O'Toole, pathologist and Senior Staff Specialist at NSW Health Pathology's Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology Department at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She is one of Australia’s leading breast cancer researchers and President of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). Professor O’Toole discusses the critical role pathology plays in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, the latest advances in research and where she sees the challenges ahead. She also shares the personal experiences that have shaped her career, including her mother’s journey with breast cancer, and how it inspired a commitment to improving outcomes for patients and their families. She discusses the ups and downs of juggling study, travel, raising a family, and research. An insight into a career that’s been built on care and compassion.

Forensic Mortuary Technician Abby‑Lee Honeysett takes you inside NSW Health Pathology's state-of-the-art Forensic Medicine facility at Lidcombe. She explains the day-to-day work of a forensic mortuary technician and how they support the work of Forensic Pathologists. Abby-Lee also talks about how she and a colleague have started a special service creating precious keepsakes for families grieving the loss of a child.She reflects on her own family’s experience with the NSW coronial system and how it inspired her to pursue a career in this field.A proud Wiradjuri woman, Abby‑Lee shares her journey of reconnecting with her Indigenous heritage and how a love of painting helps her to process the trauma she encounters at work and sustain compassion in the face of loss. ⚠️CONTENT WARNING: this episode includes discussion of autopsy procedures and issues surrounding stillbirth.