PROFESSOR
KATINA D'ONISE AM
ABOUT ME
We are all working at speed, with limited resources and with ever increasing challenges. There is only enough time to focus on operations, not enough to make the changes needed to continuously improve outcomes for the community.
This is where I can help. I have a deep understanding of how systems work and understand what can be changed and how to change it. I do this through applying a broad suite of skills, such as evaluation, audit, policy, strategy, research and epidemiology, data systems, legislative reform, governance, stakeholder engagement, partnership development and communication.
I produce actionable insights that consider sustainability, feasibility and acceptability to ensure long term, practical solutions.
POLICY, LEGISLATION AND STRATEGY
MY LIFELONG PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
I am passionate about human rights. My work has focused on changes that can be made to the institutional systems that cause harm, because these systems have wide-ranging influence in our lives.
I was an integral part of the termination of pregnancy legislative reform in South Australia, and continue to ensure this legislation remains intact, and further that services are re-designed in line with the new legislation.
I have experience in large scale policy and strategy development, for example I led the development of the first whole-of-government Anti-Racism Strategy in Australia. Other state-wide strategies include the SA Walking strategy, which was a state and local government, and non-government collaboration.
ABORIGINAL HEALTH
DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE RIGHT FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SELF-DETERMINATION
As a non-Aboriginal person, I have had a strong commitment to ongoing learning about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I am deeply committed to the right for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination. I have worked in Aboriginal health for over 25 years, first in clinical medicine with Aboriginal communities and then in public health on policy, programs, epidemiology and strategy with Aboriginal colleagues. Major projects include supporting the establishment of the No Pulgi Outreach Homeless Primary Health Care Service, establishing an Aboriginal Health Promotion team and function, leading the development of the first whole of government Anti-Racism Strategy, and leading the Aboriginal COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Project.
DATA, GOVERNANCE AND RESEARCH TRANSLATION
EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN DATA
I have extensive experience in the design and collection of data for policy, program and evaluation purposes and the establishment of data systems that include ongoing surveys, other collections and statutory collections. I have used a range of mechanisms to establish high quality governance of data systems, including both legislative and policy mechanisms and established routine reporting to inform and evaluate programs of work.
I can assist with understanding what is known and what is not known about your challenge through a sophisticated appraisal of the literature.
I can identify prospects for research translation, and, where needed, supplement the existing literature to make research translation possible. This includes translation through to legislation (for example, the addition of mandatory desexing of dogs into the Dog and Cat Management Act), policy (for example, the Anti-racism Strategy for the South Australian Government) and programs (for example, the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Project).
COMMUNICATION
MY YEARS OF WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT, NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AND THE UNIVERSITY SECTOR HAS LED ME TO DEVELOP SOPHISTICATED VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS
These include public speaking to different audiences, as well as media engagement, community consultation, and briefing Parliament. I have a strong record of writing for both academic and general readerships. I have been trusted with public communications on sensitive matters such as cancer cluster investigations, termination of pregnancy reform, and the establishment of the new Voluntary Assisted Dying Act in South Australia.
LARGE SCALE SYSTEM CHANGE
AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CDCB COVID SYSTEMS, I USED THE FULL BREADTH AND DEPTH OF MY EXPERTISE TO LEAD SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S CONTACT TRACING CAPABILITY.
As the Executive Director of CDCB COVID Systems, I used the full breadth and depth of my expertise to lead South Australia's contact tracing capability. In this role I rapidly deployed an effective and scalable capability for COVID-19 control. I developed an innovative, evidence-based strategy, and then built the systems to support this novel approach. I used existing data systems where possible, while also identifying the need for new data systems. I oversaw all development and, critically, the order of development to enable a rapid response in the event of an outbreak and before the system was complete. Staff numbers were scaled and formal training authorised.
I provided advice on a range of other critical data systems and advice on the hotel quarantine system, aged care response, response in Aboriginal Communities and response in communities with less access to resources. I also supported the whole-of-government response. Later I led the Vaccine Hesitancy Project. This involved working closely with communities and community groups across South Australia, using a community development/collective impact at scale approach. I spoke with a range of audiences, including people who had not had access to quality information about the vaccine, and people who were vaccine refusers. My approach led to a significant improvement in vaccination rates over a few months and before the border opening.