IWD 2023 - Jess Jude

Jess Jude - Bass Coast Health

Director Clinical Informatics and Operations Director Women and Families. Bachelor of Nursing, Post Graduate Diploma – Cancer and Palliative Care, Masters Advanced Nursing Practice – Minor Thesis.

When and why did you get interested in STEM?
I have worked in women’s health for approximately 20 years and was first exposed to clinical informatics while working on a project to integrate cancer services in Melbourne. My interest grew as we worked together to streamline clinical access to information across multiple organisations. I feel strongly that systems need to support information access at the point of care and improving systems and processes to ensure the right care can be provided and as a mechanism for improving patient outcomes without the need for patients to continually re-tell their stories.

What do you love about your job?

I love that I have such a diverse portfolio in my job. Bass Coast Health has provided me the opportunity to blend areas of health care that challenges me to improves systems and process. It’s a rare opportunity but really allows me to put the best of my experience into practice.
I enjoy being able to advocate for women and constantly striving to improve the health outcomes for women, newborns and families. For me the goal is to use technology and data to improve equity in health so that we can provide inclusive health care that meets the needs of all members of our community. Technology is a means to collect data to better assist clinicians to answer health questions that in the past we may not have had the ability to answer.

Do you think it is important for more women to work in STEM?

I believe it is critical to have more women working in all areas of STEM as women are in the unique position to ask questions that haven’t been asked before and consider the problems we are trying to solve with a different perspective due to their lived experiences. It’s key that more women and women from all backgrounds are supported to move into STEM roles to greater improve gender equity and where unnecessary barriers to access are removed.

What is one thing government/schools/organisations could do to increase the number of women working in STEM?

Invest in girls and invest early and consistently. Government, schools and organisations need to offer support to women from marginalised backgrounds that meets their individual needs. We need to continue to break down harmful gender stereotypes that prevent women and girls from accessing roles in STEM programs. Gender inequity is not experienced the same in the same way by all women and we need to address the individual barriers women experience.

Name a woman who inspires you, who has worked, or is working in the STEM field – and why do you admire her?

The women that most inspire me are those that I have worked with and cared for over the years. There have been so many that show bravery in the face of great challenges and continue to inspire others. If I was to choose a historical figure it would be Florence Nightingale. Florence was famous for being a pioneer in collecting and using data to improve the health outcomes of patients and did so with care and compassion throughout her nursing career.

This year’s IWD theme is around innovation and new technology – what is one prediction you have for future technology and how it will impact our lives?

My hope is that innovation of technology continues to improve and become more accessible to all. Technology done well should bring data to the bedside and assist clinicians in evidenced-based decision-making that is personalised to the individual patient. There needs to be investment into regional and remote areas to bring the standard of technology in line with that of metropolitan Melbourne.

What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self in terms of pursuing a career in technology and science?

I would say don’t hold back on taking a chance on yourself and don’t feel obliged to conform to the gender stereotypes as the world is a better place when women and girls are lifted up to have equal education, health and status in the community.
To my daughter I would say you can be anything you want to be and do any role you want to do. I believe in you and will always back you. 

General comment:

I encourage all organisations to review the International Women’s Day toolkit provided by Gippsland Women’s Health. We can all do more to improve equity in STEM programs and healthcare by committing to improving gender equity and creating lasting change that exists beyond annual International Women's Day events.