Meet the team

Image of Meg Chiswell

Meg Chiswell, Director

Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark, Affiliate Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Deakin University

Meg is recognised internationally for her work building communication skills programs across Australia, and personally training more than 3500 healthcare professionals, staff and executives.

Meg has spent time as the Australian representative on the teaching subcommittee of the International Association for Communication in Healthcare (EACH) and has led the training of many Australian healthcare communication educators.

Meg works closely with academics, clinicians and students at the Centre for Research in Patient Communication in Odense, Denmark. Meg is known for co-creating the groundbreaking programs, Your Thoughts Matter and Conversations Matter, which have attracted international attention for their design and co-delivery with consumers.

Meg is also a skilled professional coach who nurtures groups and individuals in healthcare, and volunteers as a leadership coach for a local community organisation on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.

Our collaborators

  • Affiliate Professor Peter Martin

    MB BCh BAO, MMed, FAChPM
    Peter is an internationally recognised communication skills expert, with over 40 years of experience as a clinician and educator. Peter has delivered extensive training to health professionals, leaders and executives around the world.

  • Dr Sadie Dunn

    Sadie is Deputy Director of Palliative Care at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Education Coordinator for the Victorian Palliative Medicine Training Program. Sadie has joined the collective in 2025 for sabbatical to further her passion as a communication skills educator.

  • Dr Grace Walpole

    Grace is a palliative medicine specialist at Eastern Health in Melbourne, and an expert communication skills educator. Trained in ALOBA and VitalTalk techniques, Grace brings a depth of experience in the most challenging communication situations.

  • James Watt

    James is Team Leader and CNC with the Palliative Care Consult team at Northern Health. With over 30 years of experience, James holds a Master’s degree in palliative care nursing as well as postgraduate qualifications in learning design and health management. His passion is teaching healthcare communication.

  • Veronica Porcaro

    Veronica is a professional actor with extensive training and experience as a simulated patient for complex clinical communication training. Veronica’s expert style is tailored, compassionate and specific - a specialty that she has studied and honed over her 22 years in the field.

  • Joanne Davis

    Joanne Davis

    Joanne is a qualified actor and performer with over 20 years of experience. Joanne brings an expert layer of skill and understanding in clinical communication, having previously worked as a Community Clinical Nurse Consultant in Palliative Care.

  • Janet Watson Kruse

    Janet Watson Kruse

    Janet is a highly trained and versatile actor who also collaborates on educational projects and writes for screen and stage. Janet is a skilful simulated patient and has worked nationally in this challenging area of improvisation with flexibility, intelligence and emotional truth.

  • Rachel Norman

    Rachel Norman

    Rachel is a professional actor with a business background, combining expert skills with passion to deliver authentic, impactful learning experiences. Over many years, Rachel has developed deep expertise in the field of clinical communication.