St John of God Accord CEO Lisa Evans awarded Ministry Leadership Program Scholarship

"I decided I wanted to work in a mission-based organisation where there was a deep understanding and appreciation for how we deliver health care to a community,” Lisa says.

The scholarship is open to people working at a managerial level in the Catholic aged care and health sectors and is named in honour of noted theologian, anthropologist and supporter of Catholic mission Fr Gerald Arbuckle SM.

Lisa, the parent of severely disabled 21-year-old, says her move to the disability sector was deliberate.

“I felt very deeply about serving in a sector where I understood the complexities and challenges of what clients and families have to navigate.

“Participating in the Ministry Leadership Program will clarify and qualify the guiding principles around the service I work in.

“It will further enable me to explore my own story and the story of healthcare as a ministry.

"As a leader in a Catholic organisation, participation in the MLP will further enable me to fully understand the principles we sit alongside at St John of God Health Care."

Catholic Health Australia CEO Pat Garcia said: “The Mission Leadership Program is incredibly successful and has grown in stature over the years. It not only keeps the Catholic mission alive, but it also helps it grow.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Lisa to be mentored by Catholic leaders and help us foster new collaborations and opportunities across the health and aged-care sectors and beyond.”

St John of God Health Care Group CEO Shane Kelly congratulated Lisa on being awarded the significant scholarship. 

“Lisa has been a standout addition to the St John of God Health Care team, and has demonstrated compassionate leadership for our caregivers and clients in the disability sector,” he said.

“We look forward to supporting Lisa in her studies which will only strengthen her leadership profile and further align our organisation with the values and mission of Catholic health care provision.”

The MLP was set up by Catholic Health Australia in 2017 and since its inception more than 120 people have graduated from its program.

It became so successful and in-demand that ACU took over the reins earlier this year so the program could grow beyond the healthcare sector and open up to more faith-based organisations.

"I decided I wanted to work in a mission-based organisation where there was a deep understanding and appreciation for how we deliver health care to a community,” Lisa says.

The scholarship is open to people working at a managerial level in the Catholic aged care and health sectors and is named in honour of noted theologian, anthropologist and supporter of Catholic mission Fr Gerald Arbuckle SM.

Lisa, the parent of severely disabled 21-year-old, says her move to the disability sector was deliberate.

“I felt very deeply about serving in a sector where I understood the complexities and challenges of what clients and families have to navigate.

“Participating in the Ministry Leadership Program will clarify and qualify the guiding principles around the service I work in.

“It will further enable me to explore my own story and the story of healthcare as a ministry.

"As a leader in a Catholic organisation, participation in the MLP will further enable me to fully understand the principles we sit alongside at St John of God Health Care."

Catholic Health Australia CEO Pat Garcia said: “The Mission Leadership Program is incredibly successful and has grown in stature over the years. It not only keeps the Catholic mission alive, but it also helps it grow.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Lisa to be mentored by Catholic leaders and help us foster new collaborations and opportunities across the health and aged-care sectors and beyond.”

St John of God Health Care Group CEO Shane Kelly congratulated Lisa on being awarded the significant scholarship. 

“Lisa has been a standout addition to the St John of God Health Care team, and has demonstrated compassionate leadership for our caregivers and clients in the disability sector,” he said.

“We look forward to supporting Lisa in her studies which will only strengthen her leadership profile and further align our organisation with the values and mission of Catholic health care provision.”

The MLP was set up by Catholic Health Australia in 2017 and since its inception more than 120 people have graduated from its program.

It became so successful and in-demand that ACU took over the reins earlier this year so the program could grow beyond the healthcare sector and open up to more faith-based organisations.