They're people behind Hammond Innovations...
That’s a phrase that captures two fundamental drivers of change for the better. And it’s a phrase that resonates deeply with the leaders of Hammond Innovations: innovation with purpose…from bright ideas to better care.
Executive General Manager, Dr Anna Barker, said Hammond Innovations is all about real-world solutions, not research that remains in journals without being embedded in practice.
‘The aged and health sectors face growing pressures including workforce shortages, preventable harms, rising costs, administrative burden and slow translation of evidence into practice,’ Dr Barker said.
‘We want to respond to this with solutions through a provider-led innovation model – not just research that is too slow or pilots that are too narrow – that is technology inspired and makes use of innovation pathways to move from problem to product with speed, agility and scale.’
An initiative like that needs people who combine those two key qualities – compassion and curiosity – with expertise, and track records that demonstrate their commitment to transforming aged and health care.
Let’s find out a little about who they are...
A physiotherapist with a PhD in geriatrics, Anna brings over 20 years’ experience across healthcare, ageing and health services research and innovation. She’s held senior leadership roles in the university, not-for-profit and private sectors, including at Silverchain and Medibank.
Anna is the former CEO of the Australian Society for Medical Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ASME), holds adjunct professorial appointments at several Australian universities and has published widely on ageing and innovative models of care.
As well as maintaining an active clinical practice and a conjoint professorial role at the University of NSW, Chris oversaw the clinical services and research activities of HammondCare’s Centre for Positive Ageing, now part of Hammond Innovations. His focus has been on innovative services and translational research that helps people make the most of their ageing experience, despite any limitations due to health conditions. He puts a strong emphasis on the principles of rehabilitation, and strategies to maximise a person’s functional ability and quality of life, and on mental wellbeing.
Josephine is a practicing senior palliative care physician with extensive clinical experience across a range of palliative care settings and Professor of Palliative Care at the University of Sydney. She leads an internationally recognised research program with a multidisciplinary health and aged care team in palliative care, and a national program supporting team-based initiation of advance care planning and palliative care in aged and primary care.
Her research has been published extensively in leading international journals in palliative care, oncology, geriatrics and nephrology, and widely translated into clinical practice. Josephine is passionate about finding ways to improve palliative care for people living with advanced progressive illnesses and their families.
Tom is a clinical neuropsychologist, Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and with the School of Clinical Medicine at UNSW, and an Adjunct A/Professor with the Faculty of Health at the University of Canberra. Dr Morris has over 15 years of ageing and dementia experience obtained across clinical, academic, and industry settings.
Tom joined HammondCare in 2018 and currently leads the oversight and delivery of dementia research and operational analytics data analytics for Dementia Support Australia and Hammond Innovations.
Michael is an innovation and transformation leader with more than 20 years’ experience spanning technology, venture building and digital services. He’s held CEO and senior executive roles across the technology, digital and innovation sectors, including leading Stone and Chalk and AustCyber, and driving major transformation programs at Telstra, NBNCo and IAG. He has also founded and advised several startups, with a strong focus on commercialisation and industry partnerships.
At Hammond Innovations, Michael is responsible for building the pathways that move ideas from insight to implementation, ensuring new solutions are clinically grounded, commercially viable and ready to improve care at scale. He’s particularly focused on strengthening collaborations across universities, industry and the not-for-profit sector to accelerate the translation of research into real-world change.
Steve has over three decades experience in medical and psychiatric roles. He was previously Associate Professor and Director of Aged Psychiatry at Alfred Health, where he remained until joining HammondCare in 2016 as Head of Clinical Services for The Dementia Centre.
He’s a past Chair of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age for the RANZCP, co-convenor of the Advanced Training Program in Aged Psychiatry for Victoria and is engaged in medical student teaching for Monash University. He is active in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, acting as local, national and international Principal Investigator for a number of studies. Steve works in private practice one day per week.
Peter spent many years working in Australian Indigenous communities with the Baptist Church. He then focused on humanitarian justice issues, first managing a general practice. During this time, he helped the senior GP establish the African Aids Foundation, assisting communities in South Africa and Kenya in their responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis. This was followed by ministry with World Vision Australia in its Church Partnerships team.
He joined HammondCare in 2015 and in 2024 completed his PhD at Aberdeen University under the supervision of Professor John Swinton. It explores the experience of dementia and Christian worship. Peter is married to Joanne, and they have two adult children.
Marie has led Dementia Support Australia, a national service supporting people with complex dementia and those who care for them. With a background in social work, advocacy, and leadership, she brings over 20 years’ experience in behaviour support, complex dementia, and inclusive, rights-based care.
Marie is a member of the Department of Health, Aged and Disability Expert Advisory Group, with expertise in complex dementia, design, trauma and supporting people with diverse life experiences. She’s also a published writer and regular media contributor, passionate about elevating lived experiences.
Stephen has more than 30 years' experience in IT, initially in a corporate context leading an international team, then in the not-for-profit sector as the IT manager of an international NGO in Afghanistan.
Since joining HammondCare, Stephen has specialised in IT innovation, working at the intersection of business needs and IT solutions. He’s passionate about helping people unlock the full potential of technology. As a Christian, Stephen values the alignment between his personal beliefs and HammondCare’s mission, viewing his work as a way to live out Jesus’ command to love God and one another.
Email innovations@hammond.com.au.