Page 21 - FSANZ UPDATE Spring 2022

Maddy steps into ‘big shoes’ for FNA
Maddy Towns
Madeline Towns is the incoming Chair of Fertility Nurses of Australasia (FNA) succeeding Margie Parry, who has held the position with distinction for the past eight years.
Clinic Manager at Monash IVF on the Gold Coast, Madeline (Maddy) started her career in medical administration in the fertility sector 13 years ago, but she wanted to be more involved in direct patient care and the patient journey.
She graduated with her nursing degree from the University of Southern Queensland in 2016 and later gained a Masters of Reproductive Medicine at the University of New South Wales in 2018.
For two years, Maddy was Nurse Manager at Adora Fertility in Brisbane before joining Monash IVF in 2020.
“I am thrilled to be succeeding Margie and realise I have very big shoes to fill after her long and outstanding leadership,” Maddy said.
“I look forward to expanding on the excellent nursing education and support that the FNA can offer IVF nurses. This has been implemented during Margie’s time as FNA Chair.
“With her extensive experience and knowledge, I know
that Margie will continue to mentor me and others in our roles with FNA as we support our members with the same dedication that we apply to our patients.
“My priority as FNA Chair will be to continue efforts to empower fertility nurses across Australia and New Zealand through education, support and by gaining and acting on feedback from our members.
“Our efforts will certainly focus on highlighting the benefits of being part of FNA and building our membership base.”
Margie Parry
I am in awe that every year we deliver incredible workshops that are organised and facilitated by our State representatives
Margie joined the FNA Executive in 2012 and she held the positions as Treasurer and Chair Elect. She will serve on the committee for another year and Maddy will take over as Chair in June 2023.
Reflecting on her long service as FNA Chair, Margie said: “I am pleased to have developed and facilitated relationships and sponsorships to ensure financial stability within FNA to ensure that we deliver quality educational events.
“I am in awe that every year we deliver incredible workshops that are organised and facilitated by our State representatives. Over the years, I have met some incredible fertility nurses and made lifetime friends.”
Other changes in the FNA Committee include incoming NSW representative Vanessa Raggio along with Kerri Yare and Melissa Gmelig from Tasmania and Dani Stephens from the ACT.
Meanwhile, FNA will have three representatives attending the International Nurses Conference in Italy in September 2023 through sponsorship support of the Gedeon Richter pharmaceutical company. They are Margie Parry, Jan Mackenzie and Carole Tilbrook.
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