Pat Bollard

Pat has 35 years in secondary school teaching and now works in counselling and hypnotherapy. 

Pat’s interest in the work of TASCA stems from the fact that thalassaemia is present in her extended family as well as her mother who is a carrier.

Pat’s husband suffers from a chronic condition so she understands first-hand the physical, emotional and mental difficulties that are associated with an ongoing medical condition, for both patients and their family.

Stani Goma

Stani Goma is a registered pharmacist with extensive experience across diverse settings, including hospital, research, and Aboriginal health.

Born and raised in the Congo, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people living with Sickle Cell Disease, which aligns closely with the mission of TASCA.

His professional background is complemented by a strong commitment to patient empowerment and improving healthcare outcomes for marginalised communities.

In addition to his healthcare knowledge, Stani brings extensive experience in community engagement. As a respected radio host and cultural curator, he has dedicated himself to fostering cross-cultural connections and raising awareness on critical issues.

As an incoming board member of TASCA, Stani is poised to contribute his multidisciplinary expertise and passion for advocacy to furthering the organisation’s goals.

Joanne Mucciacciaro

Jo has a background in accounting and bookkeeping and has come to know about TASCA through a dear friend with thalassaemia.

This has led Jo to join the committee of TASCA. Jo is committed to making a positive difference to TASCA and people living with genetic blood disorders.

Peter Verveniotis

Peter is of Greek descent and shows resilience and strength in facing the challenges of living with Beta Thalassaemia.  Peter is passionate about supporting and advocating for others who share his condition.

As an Early Childhood teacher working in a local government early intervention program, Peter uses his knowledge and personal experiences to assist families navigating the complexities of the health system and accessing vital services.  He is a dedicated advocate for patients and the community, providing guidance and support to those in need.

Peter enjoys participating in awareness days to educate the community around what it’s like living with thalassaemia and to increase awareness of genetic blood conditions.

Peter serves as a consumer advisor for the Monash Health Blood Committee, helping to shape policies and initiatives that benefit individuals with blood conditions.

Despite some health challenges he faces just like many others living with the condition, Peter remains positive and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those around him.

Dean Karvelas

Dean is in senior level management for a large multinational in the automotive IT industry and working on several startups business on his spare time.

As a Beta Thalassaemia carrier, Dean is committed to improving the overall quality of life and ongoing care for Thalassaemia patients and believes this starts with good communication and education programs helping to spread knowledge and understanding to clinicians and the broader community. All this with the end goal in mind - to cure Thalassemia and other related genetic disorders.

Dean is looking forward to bringing positive support and contributions to Thalassaemia community and being a valued member of the TASCA team.

Dr. John Malios

MB, BS, (Monash), FRACGP, MACLM. 

Dr John Malios is a general practitioner having practised in Oakleigh (1972 -2018) with an interest in Occupational Health and is an experienced medico legal examiner.  He was the Convenor of Medical Panels Victoria (2012-2017) and Deputy Convenor (2007-2012), and continues  to be on the Governor in Council’s List for appointment to a Medical Panel.

He has a long-standing interest in thalassaemia and was the Thalassaemia Counsellor – Queen Victoria Medical Centre (1973-1985), the Royal Women’s Hospital (1975-1978) and Clinical Assistant, Haematology Clinic, Royal Children’s Hospital (1975-1977).

Dr Malios has previously been active in promoting information and education regarding haemoglobinopathies and the role of screening in medical practice.

He was  co-author of a paper:  “Thalassaemia – a preventive approach”  RN Matthews, J Malios – Medical Journal of Australia, 1976. 

This paper was also the subject of a presentation in 1976 at the New York Academy of Science. 

Relevant current memberships:

• Life member Australian Medical Association (Vic)
• Life member Royal Australian College General Practice
• Member Australian College Legal Medicine
• Founding Member – Thalassaemia Society (now Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia)

Cameron Mehmet

As a lifelong Thalassaemia patient and advocate, Cameron is passionate about ensuring equity and access to treatment for everyone. In his professional work, Cameron serves as the Director of Architeck Group, leading a team specialising in domestic renovations. Cameron's expertise extends to significant contributions in engineering, notably on landmark hospital and tunnel projects across Victoria. Outside of work, Cameron finds joy in spending time with his loving family and embarking on travel adventures to explore new cultures and landscapes.

Nick Moutzouris

Nick is a dedicated registered Early Childhood Teacher with extensive experience in the early childhood sector. He brings over eight years of valuable board experience as a member of the Australian Childcare Alliance Victoria. Additionally, Nick holds a Bachelor of Property and Real Estate from Deakin University, providing him with a diverse skill set. Eager to apply his expertise, Nick is enthusiastic about contributing to TASCA and furthering its objectives.

Dr. Moyez Jiwa

Dr. Moyez Jiwa is a distinguished Professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia, with over 30 years of international healthcare experience. He is a leader in healthcare innovation, and the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Health Design and host of The Health Design Podcast. With 2,841 citations and an H-index of 31, he continues to contribute significantly to healthcare research and innovation while maintaining an active clinical practice as a GP in Melbourne CBD.

Sarina Pahlavani

Sarina brings a strong background in Public Health and Human Biology to her role as Health Promotion Officer at TASCA. With experience in health promotion, program evaluation, and community engagement, Sarina is deeply committed to improving health outcomes for culturally diverse communities.

Outside of her professional work, Sarina has a passion for music, spending time with animals, and connecting with nature. She believes in the importance of a holistic approach to health, finding inspiration from the natural world and her creative interests to enhance her work and well-being.

In her role at TASCA, Sarina leads educational initiatives, builds community partnerships, and works closely with patients and families to raise awareness about Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease. She’s dedicated to advancing health equity and ensuring that every individual has access to the support they need to thrive.

Steph Eldridge

Steph is the Administration Officer at TASCA, where they play a key role in supporting the organisation’s daily operations. Her responsibilities include managing office processes, coordinating appointments, and facilitating effective communication across the team. Steph is deeply committed to TASCA’s mission of enhancing the lives of individuals affected by Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia and takes pride in contributing to a supportive and compassionate environment for both staff and members.

Outside of work, Steph enjoys staying active with her netball team and unwinding at home with their two cats. As a passionate foodie, she finds joy in comfort cooking and exploring new recipes to share with family and friends.