Championing men in care roles
When midwife Andy joined Werribee Mercy Hospital, he didn’t just start a new role, he became part of a legacy more than 100 years in the making. A legacy built by thousands of people dedicated to compassionate care, and one he now helps carry forward.
Andy’s connection to midwifery began early and, even in a profession traditionally dominated by women, Andy has always felt he belonged. “Caring is for everyone,” he says. “Compassion and empathy aren’t gendered. Men can be great at this work too.”
What drives him is the privilege of supporting women and families during one of life’s most powerful moments. “Birth becomes familiar to us as midwives, but for families it can be overwhelming,” he explains. “Sometimes all they need is reassurance, someone to be gentle, thoughtful and present.”
At Werribee Mercy Hospital, Andy found a team that feels like family – warm, supportive and united by purpose. “Everyone looks out for each other,” he says. “It’s a really special culture.”
It’s this sense of belonging that connects him to the 10,000+ people who make Mercy what it is today.
He has also been encouraged to grow and lead. Andy played a key role in introducing the hospital’s water birth program. “Being part of the first official water birth at Werribee Mercy is something I’m incredibly proud of,” he says.
Every day brings new learning. “Sometimes I answer a question and think, ‘Wow, I didn’t realise I knew that.’ You learn every day without even noticing.”
Looking ahead, Andy is energised by the future of maternity care in Melbourne’s west. “There’s so much innovation and passion for improving outcomes for women,” he says. “From leadership right through the team, everyone is committed to making things better and I want to be part of that change.”
His passion for women’s health continues to deepen. “Not enough people are advocating for it,” he says. “The more voices saying, ‘This needs attention,’ the more progress we’ll make. I want to be one of those voices.”
For Andy, being a midwife is more than a career – it’s a calling, a responsibility and an honour. “Caring for women and families at such a vulnerable and empowering time is something I never take lightly.”
Andy’s story is one of thousands and a reminder that Mercy’s legacy is built moment by moment, person by person. And with people like Andy shaping the future, there is so much more to come.
When Jasna transitioned from clinical nursing into Mercy Health’s IT team, she discovered she could use her clinical experience in a new way while contributing to a legacy more than 100 years in the making.
Coming from a frontline clinical background, Jasna initially wondered how her skills would translate into a technology‑focused environment. Many people assume IT is purely technical, but Mercy Health recognised the unique value she brought to the team, as someone who understands both the systems and the realities of patient care. That dual perspective has become one of her greatest strengths.
Today, Jasna plays a key role in projects that improve clinical workflows, strengthen patient outcomes and support staff across hospitals, mental health services and early parenting centres. Her work is felt in thousands of interactions every day, a scale of impact she finds deeply rewarding.
Mercy Health has also invested heavily in her growth. Jasna has been trusted to lead significant initiatives, encouraged to expand her skills and supported through formal training and further study funded by the organisation. This commitment has empowered her to deliver work that is both technically strong and deeply aligned with the needs of clinicians and patients.
Her contributions have been recognised at an organisational level, including her induction into the Mercy Health Honour Roll of Women on International Women’s Day, a moment that affirmed the impact of her work and the respect she has earned across the organisation. The relationships she has built with technical teams, clinicians and business units reflect a culture grounded in trust, collaboration and shared purpose.
CVETIC Jasna
What Jasna values most is the sense of belonging. She is part of a community of more than 10,000 people who care deeply about improving lives and shaped by countless moments of compassion, innovation and teamwork over the past century. “There’s a real sense that we’re all working toward something bigger,” she says.
Although she no longer provides direct bedside care, Jasna feels she is contributing to something even broader – ensuring clinicians have the right tools, systems and processes to deliver exceptional care. It’s a different kind of frontline, one that supports every patient, every shift, every day.
Jasna encourages people from all backgrounds – clinical, technical, corporate and beyond – to consider the opportunities at Mercy Health. The organisation values diverse skill sets, fosters genuine growth and provides clear pathways for progression. For her, it has been a place where she can build a fulfilling career while contributing to work that truly matters to the community.
Her story is one of thousands that shape Mercy Health and reminds us with over 10,000 hearts behind our mission, there is so much more to come.
A career built on growth, purpose and genuine care
When Nichole arrived in Australia from the Philippines, Mercy Health became her first employer and the place where she found her footing in a new country. What began as a Food Service Assistant role at Mercy Place Nixon soon became the foundation for a career shaped by opportunity, support and a deep sense of purpose.
Coming from overseas and stepping into her first Australian workplace, Nichole wasn’t sure how far her skills or experience could take her. But Mercy Health saw her potential long before she saw it in herself. Over five years in the kitchen, she built strong relationships with residents and colleagues, learned how every department contributes to a warm and functioning home, and discovered a passion for aged care that would guide her next steps.
In 2020, when a Lifestyle Assistant position became available, Nichole didn’t yet have formal qualifications, but she had heart, curiosity and a genuine connection with residents. With the encouragement of her manager, Ilona, she took a chance and stepped into the role. She learned quickly, blending her kitchen expertise with her new responsibilities to deliver more holistic, person-centred care.
A few months later, Nichole was given the opportunity to step up into a Lifestyle Coordinator position which created more excitement. It was a period marked by the challenges of COVID‑19, but also by extraordinary teamwork. Through this role she was able to navigate a completely new way of caring for residents during one of the most difficult times in aged care.
After briefly working with another provider, Nichole returned to Mercy Health in 2024, a decision driven by the values, culture, and sense of belonging she had missed. She rejoined as an Administration Officer across 2 facilities before stepping into her current role as Pastoral Carer at Mercy Place Mentone.
Today, Nichole brings presence, compassion and emotional and spiritual support to residents through every season of life. She is there for the joyful moments, like birthdays and milestones, and the harder ones marked by grief, loneliness, illness or the early transition into care. Her role is about showing up wholeheartedly, becoming a steady and trusted presence, and ensuring every resident feels seen, valued and supported regardless of their faith or spirituality.
What Nichole loves most about Mercy Health is how deeply the organisation lives its values. The warmth, respect and cultural diversity of her colleagues create a workplace where everyone feels welcome. People show up for one another and that shared commitment shapes a truly harmonious environment. Mercy Health has also supported her growth at every stage, offering opportunities to step into new roles, learn new skills and build a career that feels both meaningful and sustainable.
Nichole believes aged care will always offer strong career stability because genuine human care can never be replaced. Technology may support the work, but it is compassion, connection and presence that make the real difference. She is proud to be part of an industry that continues to evolve, becoming more inclusive and more responsive to the needs of Australia’s ageing community.
Nichole’s story is one of many that shapes Mercy Health and a reminder that, with more than 10,000 hearts behind our mission, the impact we create together is extraordinary and the future