Heather Pickard

Heather is a Registered Nurse with postgraduate qualifications in Addiction Studies and Organisational Management. Over the past twenty-four years, Heather has worked as a registered nurse in drug treatment and managed the suite of withdrawal services at Monash Health. Heather established the Hospital Liaison Team in Acute Services (now known as Addiction Medicine) and oversaw the formation of the Community Based Primary Health Care Clinic within the existing needle and syringe exchange program for substance users in the southern region.

Alongside the ANMF, in 2004 Heather became involved with a forum that met with the aim of establishing a program for nurses experiencing substance use disorders and mental health issues. Heather became the Chief Executive Officer of this organisation and was responsible for establishing The Nursing and Midwifery Health Program (NMHP) in July 2006. NMHP has a strong focus on recovery and provides opportunities for supported change, as well as building resilience within the nursing community.

In 2009, Heather became the CEO of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC), a role she currently holds today. During this time, she completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and serves as the Chair of NMHP. She is passionate about governance in not-for-profit, advocacy for healthy workplace culture, and growing community partnerships that include service users in the design and delivery of quality care.