Dana Afford
Nuriootpa,SA
Summary
Experienced leader with proved ability to influence, inspire and empower teams to drive meaningful change, aligning initiatives with organisational values and strategic objectives
Qualified Nursing Director with proven background in managing comprehensive care programs. Expertise in aligning care delivery with best practices and Aged Care Standards, ensuring regulatory compliance and patient centred care. Demonstrated leadership in team collaboration and strategic planning, fostering environment of continuous improvement and accountability.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Acting Community Aged Care Director
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
08.2025 - Current
- Evaluated emerging trends in healthcare delivery models, incorporating best practices into organisational policies as appropriate.
- Established performance metrics to monitor progress toward Support at Home model of care.
- Partner with community and metro organisations to enhance consumer focused care and promote awareness of services offered by BHF.
Director Operations: Paediatric Medicine Division
Women's and Children's Hospital
05.2024 - 08.2025
- Providing strategic leadership and oversight of nursing services to ensure consumer focused care
- Development and implementation of procedures and operational plans in alignment with WCHN Strategy Refresh 2024
- Managing financial resources and operational efficiency across clinical teams
- Collaboration with executive leadership to align with operational plans and strategic directions
- Monitoring performance metrics and data analytics to drive continuous improvement changes and compliance
- Contact: To be provided upon request
Nursing Director
State Health Co-ordination Centre
02.2024 - 05.2024
- Company Overview: The state health coordination centre provides a 24/7 overview of the entire South Australian public health system. My role was to coordinate resources and manage demand effectively to ensure system efficiency and access for consumers to time critical care.
- Monitoring and co-ordinating patient flow at a state level across the health system
- Emergency Management activation during high demand/critical incidents
- Collaboration with key stakeholders within Government and Non-Government agencies
- Contact: To be Provided upon request
Acting Director of Nursing (multiple backfill positions)
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for Nursing services across multi campus sites which include aged and acute care. Responsible for ensuring safe consumer centred care in accordance with the aged care and acute care standards. Oversee clinical governance and risk management to drive quality improvements
Nurse Unit Manager
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
02.2017 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: Co-ordination and management of patient admissions and transfers from metro to country local health networks. The monitoring of flow and implementation of strategies to reduce delays, improve access to care and enhance patient experience. Leading and supporting a highly skilled team in delivering standardised care in alignment with organisational policies and system standards
- Development and Implementation of Patient Flow Hub within Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
- Contact: to be provided upon request
Registered Nurse
Multiple Government and Non Government Employment
01.2005 - 01.2017
Enrolled Nurse
Multiple Government and Non Government Employment
01.2001 - 01.2005
Education
Master of Health Service Management -
University of Technology Sydney
01.2023
Graduate Diploma - Midwifery
Charles Darwin University
01.2007
Bachelor of Nursing - undefined
University of South Australia
01.2004
Enrolled Nurse - undefined
TAFE SA, Whyalla
01.2001
Skills
- Cross functional leadership
- Data driven
- Strategic thinking
- Change management
- Lean Practice
- Quality improvement
Certification
- Growing Leaders (2017 - 2017)
- TIERS (2022 - 2022)
- Ignite (2023 - 2023)
Timeline
Acting Community Aged Care Director
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
08.2025 - Current
Director Operations: Paediatric Medicine Division
Women's and Children's Hospital
05.2024 - 08.2025
Nursing Director
State Health Co-ordination Centre
02.2024 - 05.2024
Acting Director of Nursing (multiple backfill positions)
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
01.2021 - 01.2023
Nurse Unit Manager
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
02.2017 - 01.2023
Registered Nurse
Multiple Government and Non Government Employment
01.2005 - 01.2017
Enrolled Nurse
Multiple Government and Non Government Employment
01.2001 - 01.2005
Graduate Diploma - Midwifery
Charles Darwin University
Bachelor of Nursing - undefined
University of South Australia
Enrolled Nurse - undefined
TAFE SA, Whyalla
Master of Health Service Management -
University of Technology Sydney
Finalist
Finalist for WCHN Awards - for excellence in Consumer Partnership
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