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​Since its inception back in 2009, to date, there have been many people who participated and contributed to the growth of our organisation. Along the way some people moved on to other projects, some people got a lot better and went on to pursue their dreams and we also lost some of our most beautiful contributors to this disease, but had other family members step up to continue their work. Regardless they all helped to shape us into who we are today, and continue to support us in our shared vision for the future, and that of the people living with Pulmonary Hypertension in Australia.
Each team member is chosen for their abilities and educational background and experience, so that their particular skill set can be an advantage to our PH community. They are chosen carefully, so that the team has continuity, and the only agenda from everyone is for the organisation's success. The people below have dedicated their time and energy to our community in the hope that it grows, and improves life for those living with or affected by Pulmonary Hypertension, including patients, carers, family, friends, & medical professionals. ​

​"Accountability Organisational Chart" for PHNA
Our 2019 Chart updates will be posted very soon to reflect our National Organisational status.
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​DOWNLOAD ​
Patron and Ambassador's

Patron
Professor ​Eli Gabbay 
Respiratory Specialist
MBBS FRACP

​Ambassador
Tara Hannon
Clinical Nurse Specialist    
MACN



​Ambassador 
GP Specialist
​Dr Chris Denz
​MBChB.

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Ambassador
Tegan Dunmall
​Clinical Research Nurse 
Person living with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
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​Junior Ambassador & Volunteer
Tyler Wilding
Currently studying 
Executive Team


See Melissa's Bio Here
​Founder, Melissa Dumitru
​Chief Executive Officer
Editor, Support Group Facilitator
Cert IV Community Services 
Cert. Office Administration
​Cert. Medical Reception & Records

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See Mim's Bio Here
Mimma Versace
​Coordinator Events & Catering, Support Group Facilitator 
Dip.Ladies Hairdressing
Dip. Beauty Therapy
Cert. Kodak Lab Technician
 

See Marie's Bio Here
Marie Williams 
Administrative ​Assistant to Chief Financial Officer
​Dip. Education Assistant
        
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See Jim's Bio Here
​​Jim Blanchard 
Clinical Nurse Specialist
​Assistant to the Editor & Education Development Coordinator
B.App.Sc. (Psych)
B.App.Sc. (Nursing)
Currently completing B.A (Divinity) 
Consultants
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​Fay Bahemia
​Chief Operating Officer
Health Science Writer
​Policies & Procedures,
​Operations & Projects, 
Support Group Facilitator
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Angie Powell
​Social Media
​Marketing
​Healthy Living Advocate
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Board of Management


See Rom's Bio Here
​Rom ​Dumitru 
Co-Founder, ​President 
Business Sponsor Omega Dental
Dip. Cosmetic Dental Technician 

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See Tony's Bio Here
Tony Becvarovski 
​Secretary & Chairperson, IT Management 
Dip. Manager System Integrations 


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See Clare's Bio Here
​Clare Thomson
​Chief Financial Officer 
Bachelor of Business/Major in Accounting B Bus. ICA

​​See Helen's Bio Here
​Helen Blanchard
Coordinator Education & Development  
Dip. Sc. (Nursing)
Grad.Cert. (Gerontology)
Cert. Management 
Cert. Medical Reception & Records
Cert. Medical Audio Typing
Completing B.A. (Psych) 



See Craig's Bio Here
Craig Vanderplank 
​Adviser Business & Marketing, Business Sponsor Weigh n Pay 
B.Bus, M. Accounting
Coordinator's 
Advisers to PHNA
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​Support Group Registration  
​​Denise Bradley
Coordinator 
National Birthday Club
​Ann Webster
​​Fundraising Assistant 
Val Avins   
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Co-Founder
​& Senior Adviser
Allan Mitchell
Fundraising Adviser
Elaine Weskin
​​Lions Club of Whitford
PHNA Registered Volunteers
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Events Volunteer
Bernadette Johnston
Events Volunteer
Jennifer Bertinat
Events Volunteer 
      Michael Zammit       
Junior Ambassador
Alicia Bertinat
Events Volunteer
​Jacinta Castiglionni
Sponsors from our PHNA Membership - Events and Projects
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Sponsor (PHNA Membership)
Fundraising & Events
​June Violettis
Sponsor (PHNA Membership)
May 5th World PH Day 2017
Jackie Zele & Family
Sponsor (PHNA Membership)
November Awareness Month 2017
Jill McGimpsey Evans
PHNA Education, Projects and Event Sponsors
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Special Mention


​​Marlene Mitchell - Posthumously 
​Senior Adviser & Fundraising Coordinator
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PH Angel - Marlene Mitchell for her tireless enthusiasm and friendship. R.I.P. our dear friend, we miss you.  Marlene was the first to put her hand up at the inaugural meeting back in 2010 when it came to assisting with any fundraising to kick start the new support group. Her and her husband Allan (who remains a steadfast supporter) her daughters, one of whom donated the incredible professional cakes for our Mothers Day and Christmas raffles are an incredible, giving & selfless family. We are so grateful to them all for their tireless support of organisation and its membership.

Linda Franklin - Posthumously
​(Co-Founder PHWA Support Group 2010-2015) - Organ Donation and Transplant Warrior, ​Former Liaison to Organ Donation & Transplant Foundation WA (ODAT - Secretary)

PH Angel - Linda passed away 3 days post transplant due to complications. Her brave husband and family were all by her side. The incredible transplant team at Fiona Stanley Hospital worked so hard to keep her alive and make her transplant a success but she had been living with very sick lungs since she was born. Linda lived 7 extra years from her PH diagnosis and she appreciated every single day. She is sadly missed and thought of very often. RIP our dear friend. We are thrilled to have her sister Jacinta as one of our registered volunteers. 

Sharon Massie - Ex- Coordinator Events & Catering 2015-2017
We were so thrilled to have Sharon come on board as a member of the team as she was so full of enthusiasm and great ideas. It was just wonderful to let her develop her visions for the events and make special changes to our support group gatherings, which the members really enjoyed. Her impeccable taste and attention to detail were a welcome addition, along with her amazing baking skills! Her fabulous ideas for the 2016 November awareness months theme "Don't Ignore the elePHant in the room" started a knitting frenzy of adorable little elephants that were distributed with magnetized adoption certificates and shortbread cookies, promoting PH awareness in our community. Our weekly collaborations and excitement over what to plan for future events really invigorated and we will miss her terribly as she returns to her native land of the UK, to be with her family. We cannot thank you enough Sharon for all you have meant to us personally, and to our membership and community. We wish you every happiness in your future and hope to see you again one day soon. Team PHabulous.