Katherine JackmanYou can’t help but feel Katherine Jackman’s energy—whether she is passionately describing why Mater is different, or recounting her latest running adventure—it’s evident in everything she does.  

“Life’s just too short to not give it your all!”

And, for the past 10 years, Katherine has done just that— as a clinician, an educator, and in her current position as Mater Education Learning and Development Manager.

While her roles may have changed, what has remained steadfast for Katherine are the Mater Values in action.

“It’s what differentiates us. You can receive technically brilliant care in many places, but care that is Values driven, that’s what adds the human factor, and that’s what people remember long after their Mater experience has come to an end,” she said.

Katherine’s enhanced the Mater experience of many in her role, but she’s done more than that.

Together with her team, she’s also helped changed the lives of two refugee women.

“In 2013, we partnered with Mater Foundation to offer scholarships to women of a refugee background to complete a Diploma of Nursing through Mater Education.

“Our two scholarship winners, Sofia and Rahma, were originally from Eritrea and Sudan, and both had a passion for healthcare.

“They’ve both now completed their diplomas and are working at Mater, using their passion to positively impact on the lives of our patients,” Katherine said.

From helping change the lives of refugee women, to partnering with colleagues to supporting women transitioning into the workforce through ‘Dress for Success’ by donating business attire, Katherine’s compassion for others is as evident as her energy and determination to make a difference.

She’s quick to point out that compassion also needs to extend to ourselves.

“Self-compassion can be difficult. Allowing ourselves the forgiveness, care and dignity we’d show others is something I think we all need to work on, and it can be fun!”

For Katherine, an example of ‘fun’ self-compassion was recently completing her first marathon!

On Sunday 21 August, she crossed the finished line at the Sunshine Coast Marathon in an amazing time of 4 hours—reflecting that ‘with a combination of hard work, determination, support and positivity, everything is possible’.

While she promises this is her first and last marathon, we’re not so sure!