Doctor of Philosophy, 2018
Faculty of Health Award
Starting as a young speech pathologist in a small rural hospital, Patricia (Trish) Bradd quickly realised the importance of our public health system, and she’s been passionate about it ever since. Her speech pathology career gave her a deep appreciation of the breadth of clinical practice, and over 35 years she has progressed from purely clinical roles to influential management and leadership positions.
The opportunity to work with many patients and remarkable healthcare professionals underpins her current role as Director of Patient Safety at the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission.
This agency exists to support the public health service and enhance the system so staff can provide consistently safe, high quality and compassionate care. Trish and her team seek to understand systemic safety issues and challenges and work to develop practical, clinical-based solutions that are implemented statewide.
About six months into the role, the health system was thrown into uncertainty when COVID-19 hit. Trish was appointed as a lead executive to coordinate the CEC’s response to the pandemic, which included supporting a specialised infection prevention and control team and ensuring relevant system-level clinical patient safety and health worker advice.
Prior to this, she completed her PhD under the supervision of Professor Andrew Hayen and the late Professor Joanne Travaglia at UTS in 2018, which explored allied health leadership in the provision of person-centred health care. She was appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor here in 2019. Now an industry co-supervisor to PhD students, her doctorate highlighted her belief in supporting early and mid-career clinician progression into senior leadership roles, for improved health outcomes and better patient care.
While no longer in clinical practice, Trish is Chair of the Speech Pathology Australia Ethics Board. She was recognised with a life membership to the Speech Pathology Association this year for outstanding leadership and commitment to the organisation and the profession over many years.
The inspiration I get from the people I get to work with, it’s such an opportunity and a privilege. It’s a joy to be involved in things that are interesting, meaningful and where you feel you can make a difference. I'm very grateful for everything that working in public health has given me, especially the chance to give back.