2010 - "Surgical Management of Pituitary Tumours"

The Pituitary Awareness Seminar held at Calvary Health Care, Lenah Valley, Tasmania, on Saturday 26th June had a tremendous turnout. The roads were a
little icy and we believe patients who would have normally attended were apprehensive to travel, so keeping in mind that our membership is small and
in fact Tasmania has quite a small population it was pleasing to see a full room.

It was great that nurses and associated health professionals took the opportunity to learn more about the pituitary gland, what can go wrong and understand effective treatments. Calvary Hospital, CNM of Neurosurgery Hayley Howard and her colleagues certainly took care of us. The Foundation would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who presented, ensuring the success of the day. 
 

 

Ms. Hayley Howard, NCM of Neurosurgery & Mr. Andrew Hunn, Neurosurgeon, Calvary Health Care,
Mr. Roland McCallum, Endocrinologist, Royal Hobart Hospital & Mr. Rob Rothwell,
CCU Clinical Nurse Educator, Calvary Health Care.

 

Dr. Yagnesh Balasubramani, Neurosurgical Registrar, Dr. Sandi Powell, Endocrinologist, Calvary Health Care, 
NUM Anne Muscett, Dr. Georgina Stilwell Endocrine Registrar & Josie Okey, Endocrine RN from Royal Hobart Hospital.              

2009 - "Pituitary Across the Strait" 

Royal Hobart Hospital hosted our inaugural seminar in Tasmania on 21st November 2009.  They were so excited to see us that they put on a Christmas Pageant outside!  There was lots of excitement and I am sure the speakers and attendees enjoyed the music!

On a serious note - what a great turnout.  The room was full with patients, families, health professionals and sponsor representatives.  Thanks must go to Anne Muskett, Nurse Unit Manager, and member Heidi Begley who assisted us in preparation for the day, 

The doctors and nurses were very welcoming and we would like to extend our gratitude to them for giving us their time. 

• Dr. Sandi Powell who spoke on the various diseases and conditions including MEN1

• Dr. Alex Keofman who supplied some interesting graphics on the operation

• Dr. Zemin Cao spoke on other medical management including radiotherapy options

• Dr. Anne Duffield enlightened us with why we need hormone replacement

• Dr. Margaret Zacharin spoke on various issues relating to children and adolescents

• Samantha Francis-Pester facilitated discussions on hydrocortisone replacement and children’s needs and management related to the hormone

• Karen Demangone gave insight into administration of Growth hormone for children including eligibility and government legislation

• Dr. Bill Watkins encouraged adults and parents of children with knowledge and options regarding pregnancy and parenthood

The Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Margaret Zacharin and Paediatric Nurse Samantha Francis-Pester for traveling to Tasmania from Melbourne.

Dr. Zemin Cao, Dr. Alex Koefman and Dr. Sandi Powell, Nurse Unit Manager Anne Muskett, Dr Anne Duffield and Endocrine Nurse, Josie Okey

Paediatric Nurses Karen Demangone & Samantha Francis-Pester, Dr. Margaret Zacharin, Melissa Syme with Dr. Bill Watkins

4 Members of the Foundation also gave a personal insight into their various conditions.  Sue spoke of testing and late diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease, Heidi spoke about the impact of MEN1 on her and her family, Melissa told of her eyesight deterioration and subsequent urgent treatment for a macroadenoma, Jack spoke of adult growth hormone deficiency.

APF Personnel: Sue Kozij, Heidi Begley, Melissa Syme and Jack Kagan