Cherie has dedicated over 15 years to working in sexual health, HIV, and viral hepatitis, bringing a deep understanding of both frontline nursing and broader health systems. During this time, she has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at a publicly funded sexual health clinic and has held a range of roles at ASHM where she is now the Nursing Policy and Advocacy Lead. ASHM is the peak organisation for health workers and professionals working in HIV, blood-borne viruses (BBVs), and sexual and reproductive health.
ASHM delivers high-quality education and training across HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexual health, available face-to-face, online, and on-demand via their training library.
Cherie explains, “We also develop a wide range of resources, including profession-specific booklets for allied health and other professionals who may encounter BBVs and STIs. Beyond training, we advocate for our members, contribute to policy development, host conferences and events, and offer a scholarship program to strengthen and support the workforce.”
Cherie champions the vital role of nurses in shaping evidence-based policy and improving health outcomes, saying, “My commitment to the sector is driven by a belief in the power of nurse-led care and the importance of building strong, supported nursing workforces.”
Below, she outlines some ASHM courses of benefit to remote health professionals:
- NACCHO HTLV-1 Guidelines webinar: Focuses on pre and postnatal care in HTLV-1.
- Strengthening STI and BBV Prevention through Primary Nursing Practice: Unpacks the vital role of preventing STIs and BBVs, with a strong focus on HIV prevention and the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- Contraception Essentials in Primary Care: Increases primary care providers’ knowledge and confidence in providing evidence-based and patient-centred contraceptive consultations.
- NSW Introduction to Syphilis for Midwives and Clinicians Providing Antenatal Care: Provides midwives and clinicians providing antenatal care in NSW with the tools to identify priority populations for antenatal syphilis testing in their practice, and distinguish the stages of syphilis infection based on a patient’s history and clinical presentation.
- STIs and BBVs: Nursing and Midwifery Module: Provides primary healthcare nurses and midwives with an understanding of the most common STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis A) and BBVs (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV).
