La Trobe School of Nursing and Midwifery farewells Prof. Lisa McKenna

Professor McKenna's leadership has helped shape the next generation of nursing and allied health professionals to pursue advanced degrees and research specialties. 

We recently had a conversation with her to reflect on her time as Dean and the benefits of collaborating with the Alfred Research Alliance.

Can you tell us about your role as Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe? What does it entail?

I have been Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe University since 2017. This is a broad role that works between the senior levels of the University and the School to ensure that goals at both levels are achieved. In the role, I oversee the delivery of quality nursing and midwifery education through our many courses across undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degrees, as well as research activity across the school. As custodian of the School’s accredited programs, I work closely with accrediting bodies such as Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), as well as other professional organisations. My role also includes human, financial and other resource management and close work with many key stakeholders inside and outside of the university. Fundamental to the success of our education and research programs is ensuring close collaboration with our clinical and community partners who we rely on for quality clinical experiences for our students and research collaborations. I also oversee many international partnerships through which we have mobility arrangements for staff and students, and research collaborations. 

What path led you to this position? Any career twists?

I started my nursing career in 1983 at Central Gippsland Hospital and later specialized in midwifery. What really set me on my academic path was a chance encounter—while teaching students in the hospital, a university lecturer asked if I had considered a career in education. I hadn’t, but that conversation led to me joining Monash University, where I eventually earned my bachelor’s and master's degrees in education. From there, I began exploring research through a PhD at Deakin University, and I progressed through various academic leadership roles at Monash. In 2016, I decided it was time to explore a new environment, which led me to La Trobe University in 2017.

Could you share a highlight of La Trobe’s collaboration with the Alfred Research Alliance?

As a School, we have worked closely with Alfred Health in various education and research activities. In particular, we have had a long-established clinical school at Prahran where our final year students have had the unique opportunity to complete their studies at a health service location while beginning their socialisation to the professional workplace. Over many years, many Alfred Health staff have undertaken masters and doctoral studies with La Trobe, facilitated by our physical presence, and La Trobe staff based at the Alfred Clinical School have worked alongside many clinicians on joint research projects.

How do you think the Alfred Research Alliance has impacted La Trobe’s nursing faculty and students?

I think being part of the ARA strengthens the overall partnership between Alfred Health and La Trobe University and awareness of what both organisations are seeking to achieve.

Thank you Prof. Mckenna for your dedication and support of our Nursing and Midwifery students in yout time as Dean. We wish you all the best in your new role as Director of La Trobe’s new Health Professions Clinical Education Unit.