As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we take immense pride in honouring the extraordinary women who shape the fabric of our institution. At the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, we stand as a global leader in forensic science, renowned for our groundbreaking contributions to Disaster Victim Identification, Missing Persons cases, CT Scanning, Tissue Donation, and a plethora of other forensic applications.
In an arena historically perceived as ‘a man’s world,’ VIFM stands as a beacon of gender diversity and inclusion. With a workforce of 270 dedicated individuals, nearly 70% of whom are women, and a senior management team dominated by talented female leaders, we defy stereotypes and champion equality.
Yesterday, as part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, we had the honour of hosting an insightful panel discussion featuring inspirational women from diverse fields. Let us now introduce you to some of the exceptional panellists who shared their experiences and insights on what it means to be a woman in the workforce:
Mari-Ann Scott, Chief Operating Officer at the VIFM.
She joined the VIFM in 2007 and in 2008 was appointed to the role of COO. The importance of her role was communicated to staff and external stakeholders at that time and tomorrow we will have the opportunity to hear directly from Mari-Ann about her experience as the most senior female leader working at the VIFM. For the last 20 years Mari-Ann has worked as a senior executive in the hospital sector, in the Department of Treasury and Finance and at the VIFM. Prior to that she was a health economist, having completed a Master of Philosophy in health economics. Mari-Ann trained as a general nurse before undertaking an honours degree in Economics at the University of Western Australia.
Hannah Double, Scientist in Toxicology at the VIFM.
She conducts analyses to detect and quantify drugs in biological samples, in addition to writing toxicology reports. Hannah finds her job enjoyable because no two cases are the same, providing ample opportunities for learning. She also collaborates with teams responsible for managing drug stocks within the laboratory and troubleshooting LC-MS/MS instruments if issues arise. In her spare time, Hannah loves to go running with her dog, Goose.
Tessa Broadley, Project Manager at Monash University’s Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre.
Tessa manages large clinical trials in intensive care research, such as the “Treatment of Mechanically Ventilated Adults with Early Activity and Mobilization (TEAM trial)” completed in 49 sites in 6 countries. Tessa is also pursuing her PhD, focusing on the translation of evidence into practice and guideline development. She enjoys working in diverse teams through project management and developing her own research priorities in her PhD. In her leisure time, Tessa finds joy in running and sharing meals with friends.
In the coming week, we will continue to feature the remarkable female staff members who contribute immensely to VIFM’s success, highlighting their achievements and showcasing their invaluable roles within our institution.
Join us as we delve into the stories and achievements of these remarkable women, celebrating their contributions not just today, but every day. Happy International Women’s Day!