In episode 13, we chat with surprise package Jo Hilder about her work, research and life.

Jo is a social worker with almost 12 years’ experience working in healthcare as a Research Officer, Social Worker and Welfare Officer at Gold coast Health. As a clinician, Jo predominantly worked with patients to address the social determinates of health. Specifically, as the Homeless Emergency Department Liaison Officer, she worked with some of the hospital’s most vulnerable population. 

In addition to her clinical experience, Jo has also had experience as an early career researcher where her interest is in improving how health professionals learn through practice. Her PhD research, which is due for submission soon, aims to understand what influences social work prioritisation decisions.

We loved hearing from Jo about her work: what drives her and how she found the transition from working as the Homeless Emergency Department Liaison Officer to a research role.

Jo shares personal challenges and triumphs as well as the hilarious way she met her husband and some insight into her (surprising) obsession with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

As promised in the episode, the link to Jo’s fund-raising for the World’s Greatest Shave http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/joannehilder