Speak Out October 2017 LOW RES

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18 Speak Out October 2017
Association news
Vale Helen Hatzis
17/10/1965–8/12/2016
Remembering Helen by Rachel McGrath, Helen’s manager
in the Speech Pathology Department, Caulfield General
Medical Centre
Helen was bright, vivacious, and articulate. She had a keen
intellect and was passionate about speech pathology,
neuro-rehab, Caulfield Hospital and was an integral
member of the speech pathology and rehab B teams.
To say that Helen was adored by her patients is an
understatement. Helen was never one to rest on her laurels
and was always looking for ways to improve both her clinical
knowledge and skills. Central to everything that Helen did was
the outcome and benefits for her patients. She thought laterally
about patient management and was involved in introducing
numerous novel programs including the Return to Work
program, developing a manual for running communication and
cognition groups, and development of an educational language
video.
When Helen completed a six month Advanced Diploma in
Business Management, I attended the final session of her
course in which all participants presented their projects. Helen’s
project was by far the most impressive but also the most
functional project presented. Indeed, Helen’s project, which
included the development of diet labels to minimise aspiration
and choking risk for dysphagic patients, has been adopted
throughout Alfred Health and has influenced other health
services as well.
Helen was a wonderful leader and mentor for staff and students.
She led by example and inspired staff and students alike to
reach their potential.
Helen was a beautiful caring and compassionate person. She
was the first to congratulate, console, or organise a present
(always a magnificent present). And she had a strong sense of
duty and responsibility.
On a personal level, Helen was always great fun to be around.
She was quick to laugh and always had a funny story to tell,
especially if she had a glass of champers in her hand.
With each recurrence of her cancer, she would be brave in
public, wanting to ensure that everyone else was OK and
not worried about her. And so Helen’s passing did feel like a
shock, as I am sure it did to many of us. She worked so hard to
bolster everyone’s spirits, keeping that happy external face, and
addressing her pain and sadness in private.
We are all sad but also so incredibly lucky to have known Helen
and to have shared some of her joy. Helen was an inspiration
and her memory will live on at Caulfield.
Helen you will be remembered for your beautiful ever-present
smile, your vibrancy, your courage and grace.
Remembering Helen by Catherine Naismith, Senior
Clinician, Speech Pathologist, Acquired Brain Injury Unit,
Caulfield General Medical Centre
Helen was my beloved friend and colleague for more
than 20 years and I was fortunate to work with her in a
number of different settings.
We first started working together in the very early 1990s at
Essendon Hospital which was the rehabilitation unit for the
RMH at that time. From the outset, Helen and I built a strong
friendship as well as a very productive professional relationship.
We worked together with manager Christina Wilson and a
number of other colleagues to build the speech pathology
service in this developing unit. Helen was loved universally – by
her patients, their families, and all the staff she worked with –
across all areas of the hospital. Those days at Essendon were
challenging but a great deal of fun.
Helen moved on from Essendon Hospital to work at Ivanhoe
Manor – moving into the field of severe ABI/ TBI. Helen found
this work challenging and confronting, but as always, she kept
her eye firmly focused on the needs of her patients and their
families and continually strove to achieve the best outcome
possible in often devastating circumstances.
Though we were no longer working together, we remained close
friends and continued our professional links through working on
various Speech Pathology Australia Victorian Branch portfolios
together and sharing regular social dinners with family and other
colleagues. I have been privileged to have known John, the love
HELEN HATZIS’ LIFE WAS ONE OF LIFE LIVED TO THE FULL, REPLETE WITH LOVE, AND FILLED WITH
ACCOMPLISHMENT AND GIVING TO OTHERS. HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPEECH PATHOLOGY PROFESSION WILL
BE PART OF HER RICH LEGACY. HELEN’S SPEECH PATHOLOGY COLLEAGUES REMEMBER HER TALENTS AND GIFTS.