Natasha Michael

Biography

Natasha Michael has trained and worked internationally in palliative care. She is a graduate from the University of Leeds and completed a Fellowship at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. She was awarded an MSc from Kings College, University of London and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame.

She is a senior clinican research, educator and experienced health administrator. She was previosuly Deputy Director of Palliative Medicine at the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre, Director of Palliative Care at Cabrini Health and Head of Palliative Medicine Teaching at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. She has been involved in curriculam development and education in palliative care in Ireland and the Asia Pacific. She is currently involved in developing palliative care services across regional Victoria.

Natasha is on a number of National Committees and brings her expertise in health and palliatve care to not for profit organisations through Non-executive Director positions.

Teaching Areas

Palliative Care
Bioethics
Pyycho-existential distress
Sumptoms Management
Pain management
End-of-life Decision Making
Communication

Research expertise and supervision

Natasha has experience in conducting clinical trials and leading multi-site projects in palliative care, including mentoring young researchers. her particular research interest are in the areas of promoting psycho-existential wellness, values based decision making, cancer pain and symptom management and communication.

Book chapters

Michael N Shah R. Taking about Dying in Oxford Textbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care. (Kissane., Bultz, Noble, Wilkinson, Benerjee, Parker). (In Progress)
Michael N, Shah R. Communication about advanced progressive disease, prognosis, and advance care planning. (Kissane D, Watson M, Breitbart W eds.) in Psycho-Oncology in Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Oxford University Press.
O’Callaghan, Michael N, Kissane D (2022). Spiritual and religious impacts on advanced cancer care in Australia. Silbermann M and Berger A (eds.) in The Impact of Culture and Beliefs in Cancer Care. Oxford University Press.
Kissane D, Michael N (2017). Australia’s contribution to the development of global palliative care. Silbermann M (ed.) in Palliative Care Perspectives, Practices and Impact on Quality of Life – A Global View. Pp.533-546 Nova Science Publishers Inc.
O’Callaghan, Michael N. (2015). Music therapy in grief and mourning. Edwards J. (ed.) Oxford handbook of music therapy (pp.405-414). London: Oxford University Press.
Spruyt O, Michael N (2013). Pain relief in metastatic Cancer. Tewari J (ed). Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Perspective. pp.1065-1072 Springer Publishing.

In the media

Life Matters with Hilary Harper. On Palliative Care the Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation. (2022) Australian Broadcasting Cooperation Radio National.
When a Parent Dies. Catholic Health Australia. (2021)
Morning radio with Virginia Trioli. On visiting restrictions in palliative care (2020). Australian Broadcasting Cooperation.
Melbourne Catholic Podcast (2019). On the Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation.
7.30 report (interview) on Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation (2019). Australian Broadcasting Cooperation.
We can’t let voluntary assisted dying negate our commitment to the ill. (2019). The Age. Comment.
How to have a good death: what palliative care can and can’t do. Interview. (2017). Australian Broadcasting Cooperation online report.
ABC Radio Melbourne (Drive) with Raf Epstein (2017). Interview. Australian Broadcasting Cooperation.
How palliative care works. 730 Report Interview. (2017) Australian Broadcasting Cooperation.
Commentary on proposed assisted dying legislation (2016). Australian Broadcasting Cooperation News Bull
Euthanasia, a heartstring issue now firmly on the political agenda (2016). The Herald Sun. Interview.
Right to life: what treatments should doctors prescribe to end suffering (2016). The Age. Comment.
Decoding the Code. Education resource on ethical principles (2015). In conjunction with Broken Bay Institute.
My Future Care: Advance Care Planning Education Resource (2014). In conjunction with Catholic Health Australia.
The difference between looking and seeing (2013). The Age. Interview.
The Art of Dying: ABC Radio National God Forbid with James Carleton.

Professional affliliations

Fellow of the Australian Chapter of Palliative Medicine
Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians
Member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine
Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaboration
Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Asia Pacific Hospice Network.
Clinical Oncological Society of Australia.

Community engagement

Non-Executive Director, Villa Maria Catholic Homes, VIC
National Advisory Group. Little Sisters of the Poor Ltd.
A frequently invited speaker to community and faith based event and media commentator on issue pertaining to palliative and end-of-life care.

Awards

Student choice award for distinguished teaching. Cabrini Health and the University of Notre Dame, 2018, 2019.
Second Prize, Oral Presentation for established investigator. Introducing a model of early integration of palliative care: service outcomes and Cabrini Health Research Day, 2015
Poster Award. An audit of the use of blood transfusion products in a palliative care service. EAPC, Norway 2008.
Janssen-Cilag Palliative Care Bursary, Ireland 2008.
Novice Researcher Award. Palliative Care Research Society, Manchester, UK 2005.

Other

Teaching Aids

Tailoring Care: A Podcast series for General Practitioners with Dr Andrew McDonald: Identifying and assessing palliative care patient; Providing palliative care in the community; Supporting carers through palliation and bereavement.
Promote care, oppose euthanasia. Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (2018). Video Resource.
Catholic Health Australia.
Decoding the Code. Education resource on ethical principles (2015). In conjunction with Broken Bay Institute.

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