Gathering of Kindness Online Agenda 2024
The Gathering of Kindness Online 2024 is a virtual event designed to bring together healthcare professionals, leaders, and advocates to explore and celebrate the impact of kindness in healthcare. This annual event, hosted by the Hush Foundation, aims to transform the culture of healthcare through compassion, connection, and communication.
From 11th to 15th November 2024, the Gathering of Kindness will feature daily online presentations, interactive workshops, and panel discussions. Attendees will hear from industry experts, frontline healthcare workers, and inspiring champions of kindness, all sharing their insights on how kindness can improve communication, reduce medical errors, and support the well-being of both patients and staff.
This event is open to everyone—whether you are a healthcare professional, community member, or simply passionate about the power of kindness in creating positive change. Join us online to be part of the movement that is making kindness a cornerstone of healthcare.
Day One
11th Nov
Monday
12.30pm - 1.30pm AEDT
Structural Kindness - Working Smarter Not Harder
Leaders are uniquely placed to drive change. Or not. What actions and policies encourage respectful and high-functioning workplaces? And better patient outcomes.
Presentation by
Professor Keith McNeil
Commissioner for the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health, South Australia
Dr Robert Styles
ProSocial World Director of Strategic and Bespoke Programs, convenor international ProSocial health circle
Dr Peta Miller
Workplace Health and Safety, Ergonomics and Human Factors consultant, Advisor A Better Culture project, RACMA.
Hosted by Lucy Mayes
Manager Engagement, Hush
Foundation, Author ‘Beyond the
Stethoscope: Doctors’ stories
of reclaiming hope, heart and
healing in medicine’.
Day Two
12th Nov
Tuesday
12.30pm - 1.30pm AEDT
The Knowledge Gene
The groundbreaking discovery linking evolutionary biology, genetics, indigenous knowledge systems, neurodiversity, the arts and learning. And why it matters for healthcare.
Presentation by
Dr Lynne Kelly
Author, educator, researcher and science communicator
Dr Richard Mayes
GP Obstetrician, clinical educator, social prescriber, amateur dance instructor.
Day Three
13th Nov
Wednesday
8:30am - 9:30am AEDT
The important question which sparked the international movement towards more person-centred care - for both patients and colleagues.
Presentation by
Professor Maureen Bisognano
President Emerita and Senior Fellow. Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Karen Turner
Senior Improvement Advisor, Royal Free Hospital, London
Wednesday
12:30pm - 2:30pm AEDT
Writing, music, story-telling and Haiku - in celebration of world kindness day
Join us for a conversation with our panel about the powerful connection between medical science, healthcare, creativity and the arts. Hear the stories of kindness in healthcare collected in the Hush Kindness Anthology #2 with readings, conversation and a Haiku workshop.
Presentation by
Samantha Bews
Artist, Actor, Writer and Poet
Matt Hoy
Professional musician, Artistic and Strategic Advisor, Hush Foundation.
Day Four
14th Nov
Thursday
12:30pm - 1:30pm AEDT
Reciprocal Respect
The pitfalls of bias and power of partnership
What is the impact of unconscious bias, power and hierarchy in healthcare? Understanding factors such as age, ethnicity, and diversity leads to more effective relationships with patients and amongst staff.
Day Five
15th Nov
Friday
12:30pm - 1:30pm AEDT
Disaster recovery expert Louise Scott didn’t expect to be having to turn her professional skills to her own health journey. Louise shares her recent journey through an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, with great vulnerability, clarity and bravery, and is then joined by her doctor, Stephen, as they share what it is like to be ‘human’ on both sides of the bed.
Presentation by
Louise Scott
Disaster Recovery expert, Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine, Patient Storyteller
Dr Stephen Walker
Haematologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Vincent’s Hospital and Bendigo Health