Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.
That's the message this International Nurses Day as we celebrate the life-saving impact of nurses and encourage them to use their knowledge, skills and empowerment to shape the future of healthcare.
At Mater Research, our nurses are bridging the gap between frontline practice and cutting-edge medical discoveries through clinical trials. To mark the occasion, we are shining a spotlight on Chris McKeon, a Clinical Trial Coordinator who has dedicated nearly four decades to patient care.
Chris’s career path wasn't always obvious. He originally wanted to study computer programming but, after a suggestion from his mother, he decided to give nursing a try.
He listened to her advice and completed work experience at a local nursing home in grade 10. Finding he enjoyed the work, he began studying nursing in 1986, stepping into his first role as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) in 1987 and officially becoming a Registered Nurse in 1989.
After years on the wards, Chris eventually found his passion in the world of research. In 2010, he took on a project that inspired him to complete a Master of Science by thesis, graduating in 2015. The following year, he stepped into the role of Clinical Trial Coordinator.
Chris is now Mater Research’s Medical Clinical Trial Unit Manager, where he is responsible for clinical trials for patients with conditions including haematology, endocrine disorders and gynaecological oncology surgeries.
Chris says that while the lifestyle change of leaving shift work behind is a bonus, he is deeply committed to the purpose behind the trials - and the hope they provide people who are facing complex medical challenges.
“It means offering patients another treatment option which will potentially benefit them greatly,” he said.
“We are working in an area that ultimately benefits our current patients, and potentially future patients.”
Despite taking a step back from full-time frontline care, Chris continues to experience the rewarding, human side of nursing on a regular basis.
“Just the other day, I was getting coffee and ran into one of my old trial patients from three years ago.
“He was so happy to see me and tell me how well he is going. Those moments are very special.”
