About Us
Welcome to
WA Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation
Through united and collaborative efforts, Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation provides support to Head & Neck Cancer patients and their carer’s, increase public education and awareness and assist in rehabilitation also providing funds for ongoing research.
Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation (a not for profit charity) strives to serve as a one stop centre to carry on a health promotion for the provision of assistance to individuals and organisations that provides services in support of Head and Neck Cancer:
- 1.Treatment and rehabilitation;
- 2.Research;
- 3.Advocacy;
- 4.Survivorship;
(b) To promote, encourage, public awareness, support and provide education;
(c) To advance health by raising money to:
- 1.Provide public awareness, support for patients of Head and Neck Cancer and provide education;
- 2.Provide money to the research of Head and Neck Cancer regarding the diagnosis, treatment and management of Head and Neck Cancer.
This foundation has been set up by Head & Neck Cancer patients for patients, survivors and family members seeking support and information about Head & Neck Cancer. From the management of symptoms to treatment options Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation works in partnership with medical and healthcare partners to provide up-to-date educational information, activities to promote awareness and education and resources for patients and carer’s to engage and learn from one another.
Led by a Board of Directors with expertise in Head & Neck Cancer surgery and survivorship Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation develops strategic priorities to tackle the challenges facing those impacted by this disease.
Our Board
Stephen McPherson
Chairman / CEO (ADM, MHlthSc)
Chairman and Founder of Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation. Stephen is a Head and Neck Cancer survivor, having had two bouts of this cancer, the first in 2015. The second bout in 2018 resulted in him losing his tongue and 100 glands from his neck. This resulted in Stephen having a severe speech impairment, losing his career, business and any future employment as a lawyer.
Stephen set up both the Western Australian Head and Neck Cancer Support Foundation and Perth Head & Neck Support Group in an endeavour of providing support for fellow Head & Neck Cancer patients and their carer’s. Something that Stephen identified was lacking in Western Australia, after trying to get support for himself.
Stephen has twenty years’ experience running an international business and endeavours to make Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation the major support avenue for Head & Neck Cancer patients and carer’s in Western Australia.
Stephen set up both the Western Australian Head and Neck Cancer Support Foundation and Perth Head & Neck Support Group in an endeavour of providing support for fellow Head & Neck Cancer patients and their carer’s. Something that Stephen identified was lacking in Western Australia, after trying to get support for himself.
Stephen has twenty years’ experience running an international business and endeavours to make Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation the major support avenue for Head & Neck Cancer patients and carer’s in Western Australia.
Abigail McPherson
Director (EMLeadershipStratInnov, PGradDipOccSaf&Hlth, PGradCertEmergMgt, PgCertBusAdmin, COHSProf)
Abigail is an Occupational Safety and Health professional and as a founding board member knows only too well on the need for Head & Neck Cancer patient support, as Stephen’s wife. Abigail brings to Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation experience in leadership and innovation in an endeavour to making the Foundation a leader in public awareness and education. Abigail holds an Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation and a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health and is a Chartered Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety.
Ryan Dias
Director
Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the food production, B2B, retail and facility management service industries. Skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing and People Management. Strong professional with a Management focus in strategic growth employee engagement and employee driven outcomes.
Brody Sewell
Director (MBA)
Executive in the mining and industrial services industry, with 15 years experience in several commercial management roles. Brody also holds his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) which he completed at the University of Western Australia and previously served on the Industry Reference Group for the Mining & Energy Services Council of Australia (MESCA).
Michael Moran
Director
Michael is the Foundations Chief Financial Officer. As a Chartered Accountant, Michael commenced his career with MBNA United Kingdom working with the credit card division before moving to Australia in 2004. Michael’s experience in a variety of industries, including ASX listed businesses within the Banking, Financial Services and Manufacturing, brought a breath of experience to his role as a Board Member of the Western Australian Head & Neck Cancer Support Foundation. Michael joined the Foundation in October 2020 and continues to work with the team to progress the Foundations mission.
Dr April Armstrong
April Armstrong is Rural Generalist with a business passion. As an advocate for Medical Practitioners in business and finance opportunities continue to arise to assist and grow the Business for Doctors Community. Business for Doctors is now the largest growing online community of doctors from various specialities and practice levels. My role in negotiating group discounts, partnership opportunities and expanding the business into importing products and financial services.
Using the skill set developed from early business and finance industry exposure, to the writing and communications learned at Medical School, my endeavour is to continue to grow a network of business people who have a common goal for success with integrity.
With skills in Rural Procedural Medicine, O&G, Mental Health, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Pain Medicine, Education, Telehealth and Medical Education this provides an excellent base for a successful business career and the perfect platform to launch a network of business education for Doctors.
A supportive community member as a Rotarian offering assistance with local and world-wide projects. A Mentor in Medicine and Business to over 30,000 Doctors, 2000 Dentists and 600 Medical Practice Owners with a continual desire to improve the health of our community using digitalisation and collaboration with multi-national organisations.
Using the skill set developed from early business and finance industry exposure, to the writing and communications learned at Medical School, my endeavour is to continue to grow a network of business people who have a common goal for success with integrity.
With skills in Rural Procedural Medicine, O&G, Mental Health, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Pain Medicine, Education, Telehealth and Medical Education this provides an excellent base for a successful business career and the perfect platform to launch a network of business education for Doctors.
A supportive community member as a Rotarian offering assistance with local and world-wide projects. A Mentor in Medicine and Business to over 30,000 Doctors, 2000 Dentists and 600 Medical Practice Owners with a continual desire to improve the health of our community using digitalisation and collaboration with multi-national organisations.
Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen
Amanda Phoon Nguyen is an Oral Medicine Specialist. Her clinical and research interests include orofacial pain, oral mucosal disorders, oral burning, temporomandibular disorders, dental sleep medicine and paediatric oral medicine.
Before undertaking Oral Medicine specialist training at UWA, Amanda graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Dental Science, served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Dental officer and worked as a dentist in both public and private practice in WA. She now works privately as an Oral Medicine specialist in Perth, with public appointments including Consultant at the Perth Children’s Hospital, and Senior Lecturer and Unit Coordinator for Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Pharmacology at Curtin University. Her special interests include oral mucosal diseases including oral oncology, orofacial pain and Paediatric oral medicine.
Amanda has multiple roles with the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia, the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Australasian Sleep Association Dental Sleep Medicine Council, amongst others. She is on the Board of Directors for 3 not-for-profit charities.
For her services to dentistry, she has been awarded several honorary fellowships and awards.
Before undertaking Oral Medicine specialist training at UWA, Amanda graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Dental Science, served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Dental officer and worked as a dentist in both public and private practice in WA. She now works privately as an Oral Medicine specialist in Perth, with public appointments including Consultant at the Perth Children’s Hospital, and Senior Lecturer and Unit Coordinator for Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Pharmacology at Curtin University. Her special interests include oral mucosal diseases including oral oncology, orofacial pain and Paediatric oral medicine.
Amanda has multiple roles with the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia, the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Australasian Sleep Association Dental Sleep Medicine Council, amongst others. She is on the Board of Directors for 3 not-for-profit charities.
For her services to dentistry, she has been awarded several honorary fellowships and awards.