Dr Jane Sullivan OAM

Jane commenced working at RCH in 1987 and was a senior Social Worker until 2009, when she left to undertake her Doctor of Philosophy degree at The University of Melbourne.

Her roles at the Hospital included Social Worker to the Neurology Unit and CD & R; Student Unit Co-ordinator (Social Work Department); Co-ordinator of the Family Bereavement Support Programme; member of the Autopsy Inquiry Team; and a member of the RCH Clinical Ethics Committee.  During her work at RCH, Jane received an Uncle Bob’s Travelling Scholarship (2003), a SIDS and Kids, Victoria, Family Support and Community Education Award 2003, a Chairman’s Medal in 2005, and a Chairman’s Team Medal in 2006 that was awarded to the Chaplaincy & Social Work Team.

Drawing on her clinical work at RCH, Jane’s doctoral thesis explored parents’ views and experiences of end-of-life decision-making for their child. Her peer-reviewed publications, and chapter and book contributions are in the areas of grief, end-of-life decision-making in paediatrics and social work practice.

Prior to working at RCH, Jane worked in disability services in both community and institutional settings. On completing her PhD, Jane worked as a Counsellor at Melbourne City Mission Palliative Care, retiring in 2019.
In 2023, Jane was awarded an OAM for her ‘service to the community through a range of organisations’. This award recognised Jane’s professional and voluntary work over many years and in diverse organisational contexts.