Welcome – Integrated Aboriginal Chronic Care Coordinator (IACCC)

Ragina Rogers – Integrated Aboriginal Chronic Care Coordinator

Introducing Integrated Care Aboriginal Chronic Care Coordinator (IACCC)

Where were you working before being appointed as IACCC?

In June 2014, I commenced the Aboriginal Liaison Officer position for the Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah hospitals, which was great allowing me to work back in the Community my family and I live.

Prior to that I was an Advanced Care Paramedic and Senior Educator for the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) for over 14 years. I gained amazing clinical skills and knowledge, with great opportunities in Management/Leadership, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network as an Alumni in the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

I was lucky to be a part of some great programs including the Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander Student Paramedic Program (QAS), located in Queensland’s remote and beautiful Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander Communities. Establishing my passion for Clinical and Cultural balance.

What do you look forward to most in the new role?

There are several things to look forward to around this new role it’s difficult to cull it down. Coordinating such a giant leap in Aboriginal chronic care service, closing gaps from grass roots to Executive form service to service.

Implementing a transparent, seamless, and appropriate Chronic Care for our mob, ensuring clinical and cultural consideration.

And bringing together our networks of Aboriginal chronic care service frontline staff, providing them the support, knowledge and strategies needed to provide the best holistic Aboriginal Chronic care, we all passionately want to give.

How will IACC benefit Aboriginal people living with Chronic Disease?

The integrated case management and approach to Aboriginal people with chronic disease will have outstanding benefits. Our mob will go from having one service provider with particular service and restrictions, to now having a combined Integrated Chronic Care case managed service, bringing with it the opportunity to access to services and entitlements, recently restricted. And as importantly is the opportunity to have Aboriginal staff, living, working, and acknowledged members of Communities, providing this Aboriginal Chronic care service directly.

Tell me a bit about yourself? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, that kind of thing?

Family! As the eldest daughter of an eldest daughter I have always had certain responsibilities that comes with a large Aboriginal family, but, I truly love family time.

From having a cuppa and a yarn with Aunties or a game of poker with my cousins.

My family are my mentors, my leaders, and foundation. They provide me with a Cultural and work ethic that I passionately bring to my role.

Contact Ragina: ragina.rogers@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au