Meet our Members

Our Members

The HOME Network members come from all over Australia. Take a look at the members below to learn more about them.

Key: Active Members | Previous Members

Meet Our Active Members

Josephine Chow

State: NSW
Role in THN: Foundation and current Chairperson, Long-standing member
What is your role?
My current role is the inguaral Professor in Nursing & Midwifery Research Alliance and Deputy Director of Research for both South Western Sydney Local Health District and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research. I am very active in clinical trials, clinical research and innovation projects.
Why did you join THN?
I was a passionate home dialysis nurse and helped start The HOME Network concept with support from Roche Products in 2009. In 2012, I was fortunate to be awarded a Churchill Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and travelled overseas to explore strategies to improve the uptake of home dialysis. As an ambassador for the Churchill Fellows, I am extremely excited about opportunities to ‘make a difference’ for our dialysis community.

Allyson Calvin

State: ACT
Role in THN: Member since 2020
What is your role?
My current role is the Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) for the Renal Home Therapies Unit (RHT) in Canberra, ACT. I have been a renal nurse for 20 years and have been working in Home Therapies since May 2017. When I joined the RHT, I heard about THN from Caroline McNaught.
Why did you join THN?
One of the many reasons why I sought to be part of the friendly and supportive team of THN is that I believe it would further enhance my own learning and understanding of what it means to be a Home Therapies Nurse and also how to promote and encourage home dialysis

Angela Folpp

State: VIC
Role in THN: Long-standing member
What is your current role?
I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Home Dialysis Unit in Bendigo, Victoria. I have a background in both haemodialysis and critical care. In my current role, we manage around 38 Peritoneal Dialysis patients that reside in Bendigo and many outer areas of regional Victoria.
Why did you join THN?
I found this initiative to be wonderful and a great chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share my interest in home dialysis. I discovered that there is still so much to learn about this topic, and I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to broaden my knowledge in this field.

Angelina Villarba

State: WA
Role in THN: Member

Caroline McNaught

State: ACT
Role in THN: Long standing member

Dana Windebank

State: NSW
Role in THN: Consumer Representative, 2018
What is your role?
My current role is as an administrative officer/secretary to a clinical academic within the renal medicine department of a South Western Sydney hospital. As a consumer representative, I bring to the group first-hand knowledge regarding home haemodialysis, and the associated experiences that arises with living with this mode of treatment, i.e. the effects on family, work and lifestyle in general.
What did you join THN?
I understand that The HOME Network is basically an interest group consisting of some of the finest and passionate dialysis nursing and allied health professionals in Australia and NZ. As a consumer representative, I believe that I bring to this group a personal perspective on home dialysis treatment and patient support through the eyes of a patient.

Hanh Tran

State: SA
Role in THN: Member since 2022

Janine Byrne

State: QLD
Role in THN: Long-standing member, 2009
What is your role?
My role is a Nurse Unit Manager in a home haemodialysis training unit in Queensland.
Why did you join THN?
I joined THN when it was first established in 2009 to work alongside like-minded colleagues who share the same passion for caring and supporting patients and their families to dialyse in their home. I believe THN utilises the vast and varied experience of the group to achieve positive outcomes for those with kidney disease.

Joanna Stockings

State: NSW
Role in THN: Member since 2022
What is your role? I am a Dietitian working with patients on dialysis both in unit and at home.
Why did you join THN?
I believe it is important that patients on dialysis should be able to lead enjoyable and independent lives for as long as possible. Investing resources and time into promoting Home dialysis and making it an easier decision for patients is important, and I hope to contribute to this through the home network.

Jo Beer

State: WA
Role in THN: Member since 2022
What is your role?
I am an advanced accredited practicing dietitian and diabetes educator who specialises in renal disease. I have been in the health industry for over 25 years and currently divide my time between working clinically with renal patients at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and private practice. I am also completing my PhD in renal dietetics and in the management of dietary phosphorus using digital health. My current study is a randomised controlled trial comparing the effect of digital health to standard care on serum phosphate control in patients on dialysis (The Telekinesis Study). This has just started, and recruitment is taking place throughout Australia.
Why did you join THN?
I joined the THN to be able to contribute and learn from colleagues and like-minded health professionals who are also passionate about optimising quality of life and care in those on home dialysis.

Keri Equinox

State: QLD
Role in THN: Long-standing Member
What is your role?
My current role is the Clinical Nurse Consultant in the Home Therapies Unit at Cairns Hospital. I have worked in the Home Haemodialysis Unit for 20+ years. It is rewarding to send patients back to their families rather than seeing these patients relocate to Cairns for dialysis. Cairns Hospital services our catchment area and provides Home Therapies training to the Cape York and Torres Straits Health regions.
Why did you join THN?
I have been a member of The HOME Network since its inception. I am very proud to be part of such a dynamic group of dedicated professionals and also being able to give The HOME Network a Far North Queensland perspective.

Kylie Pegg

State: QLD
Role in THN: Member since 2021
What is your current role?
My current role is the Nurse Unit Manager – Peritoneal Dialysis Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane.
Why did you join THN?
A fellow NUM was associated with the network and encouraged me to look into and join. I have benefitted from the knowledge shared and being involved with passionate nurses.

Lisa Shelverton

State: TAS
Role in THN: Member since 2022
What is your role?
My current role is Nephrology Nurse Practitioner for the Southern Tasmanian Health service, based in Hobart. My current focus is home dialysis, both home haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and supporting patients with stage 4/5 chronic kidney disease. I have been a kidney nurse for 30 + years; my passion is education and working with patients as they gain the knowledge and skills to navigate their journey with kidney disease.
Why did you join THN?
I have been an associate member of the HOME Network for many years and thought it was now time to become more actively involved in the many initiatives I have been reading about in the newsletter. I fully support the aims of the group to promote awareness, education and knowledge about home dialysis and share the belief and passion for the value it brings to our patients.

Lyndel Stuckey

State: NSW
Role in THN: Long-standing member

Mary Scalzo

State: WA
Role in THN: Member since 2021
What is your role?
Registered Nurse at Spearwood Home Therapies unit, Peritoneal Dialysis
Why did you join THN?
I joined the THN because I wanted to be part of a national team to help improve and develop home dialysis therapies. I also have a background and interest in health promotion. I believe that empowering patients to undertake home dialysis helps them understand their chronic illness.

Melinda Tomlins

State: NSW
Role in THN: Long-standing member, 2009
What is your role?
My current role is the Nephrology Nurse Practitioner for satellite and home dialysis within the Newcastle area. I am based at the Wansey Dialysis Centre.
Why did you join THN?
Funnily, my manager at the time had been invited to attend however was unable to do. She put me forward in her place as I was working as the team leader in the home dialysis unit. Like all of our members, I have a passion for home dialysis. I am extremely excited about the pilot and future clinical trial of the TEACH-PD train-the-trainer modules, and the impact these will have by helping nurses to become great trainers.

Monique Borlace

State: SA
Role in THN: Member since 2015
What is your role?
I am a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner at the Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service. I have 25+ years of renal nursing experience with South Australia. My aspiration is in supporting and engaging people and their families through their own journey with chronic kidney disease. With an enthusiasm on home dialysis options either haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. I am also a member of multiple renal organisations who strive to innovate home dialysis options for all.
Why did you join THN?
Joining The Home Network in 2015 who aim to improve awareness, knowledge and education / training about home dialysis to all. Exploring new initiatives and advances to support and strength home dialysis for all person on dialysis, families / carers / friends and healthcare professionals.

Nadine Tinsley

State: NT
Role in THN: Member since 2020
What is your role?
I am a Peritoneal Dialysis Clinical Nurse Specialist at Top End Renal Services located in Darwin, NT. I have been a nurse for 9.5 years and a renal nurse for 9 of those years. At my renal orientation, I was educated about PD and fell in love. Eventually, the opportunity presented itself and I took on the challenge.
Why did you join THN?
I am passionate about PD, and I believe it is an amazing home therapy, especially for our remote regions. I received a Churchill Fellowship in 2020 and am planning on visiting NZ and Canada to investigate education and training practices of PD units with First Nation patients to see if the NT can further improve its services (post-COVID). I enjoy finding out about other PD units and the problems that they have encountered and solved. In becoming a member, I hope to bring a northern perspective to THN.

Paula Woodward

State: NSW
Role in THN: Long-standing member, 2009
What is your role?
My current role is a Medical Education Consultant and Director and Founder of The Med Collective, a medical education agency. We bring together the best independent contractors to deliver projects for our clients and we place patient outcomes at the centre of all projects we work on.
Why did you join THN?
I initially became involved to provide medical education support to the group, supported financially by Roche Products, who provided funding for workshops and activities in the early years after the group was formed. I helped to name the HOME Network! The HOME Network has staying power – which I think is a measure of the passion of its members. I may not be from a clinical background, but I love sharing my education and communications expertise, and I have formed strong working relationships and friendships with our members as we work together to drive uptake of home dialysis by Australians with CKD.

Rebecca McMillan

State: VIC
Role in THN: Member since 2022
What is your role?
I’m a senior Social Worker with the Barwon Health Renal service in Geelong, Victoria. Working with the patients across all stages of kidney disease, means I’m able to be involved in many different aspects of the health service, community work and outreach also.
Why did you join THN?
Working with the patients, family members, carers and staff who are associated with the Home Therapies programs is one of the highlights of my job! There’s so much to learn and such great opportunities to work together to improve kidney care for all involved.

Rosie Simmonds

State:  VIC
Role in THN: Long-standing member, 2009
What is your role?
I am a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner and my current role is the Nurse Unit Manager of the Home Dialysis Unit in the Renal Service at the University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health.
Why did you join THN?
Home dialysis is a wonderful treatment and can provide people with CKD5 a much-improved quality of life and long term health outcome. Having the opportunity to meet with like-minded health professionals and consumers to develop programs and initiatives that aim to promote and improve the access, equity and ultimately the care for people who choose home dialysis is incredibly motivating.

Tanya Smolonogov

State: NSW
Role in THN: Long-standing member
What is your role?
My current role is the Pre Dialysis CNC for Western Sydney and Nepean/Blue Mountains LHDs and I have held this position for the past 15 years. My role covers an area of almost 9,000 square kilometres spanning 9 local government areas from Auburn in Sydney’s west to Portland in the Central Tablelands.
Why did you join THN?
I have a special interest in Models of Self Care, Patient Empowerment through Education, and, Supportive Care for the pre-dialysis patient. My passion is patient education; I believe empowering patients to take action on their own behalf to make informed, considered decisions through this education is key. The many projects that The HOME Network collaborate on help promote the home dialysis concept within the renal community.

Valerie Nancarrow

State: QLD
Role in THN: Member since 2021
What is your current role?
As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Renal Hospital Liaison Officer at Cairns Hospital, I provide culturally appropriate support and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families. I assist with various duties such as bedside visits, language barriers, organising family meetings, assisting and supporting patients with Sorry Business, coordinating care from hospital to home, attending Renal procedures for patient support and more.
Why did you join THN?
As the Renal Hospital Liaison Officer, I have made this role specialised in this particular environment, and I would like to improve my knowledge by working and liaising with The HOME Network Group.

Project Support Team

Jerome Pong

Project Support

Vanessa Jelic