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QLD CHAMPION

Megan Hackwood (she/her)
LIVED EXPERIENCE
Disability and Mental Health
KEY INFORMATION
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Australia
Current location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Age: 27 years old
Language/s: English only
LGBTQIA+: No
NDIS Participant: No
Diagnoses: SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia), Fibromyalgia, FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Asthma, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), ovarian cysts, anxiety, depression & PTSD
Healthcare Access: Primary Health Care, Allied Health, Mental Health, Secondary and Tertiary care
BIO
Megan Hackwood is a regular user of the health system since the onset of at times debilitating illness in her teens. Over many hospitalisations, specialist visits and frequent trips to the emergency department, specialists were challenged by Megan's symptoms and struggled to find a diagnosis. Megan had to navigate her career path beyond school in an innovative way due to the barriers she encountered facing a disability with a fluctuating functional impact. As a result of her poor physical health, Megan experienced mental health challenges as she faced a declining quality of life while fiercely advocating for answers, treatment and management of her physical symptoms. Due to new symptoms and ongoing challenges with her health, Megan is again searching for answers and support from within the medical community whilst being supported by her Fiance Chris, and transitioning to a 100% work from home role to adapt to her changing health needs.
From her experiences, Megan was compelled to learn more about health care and medicine with a focus on pathology. She became a qualified advanced phlebotomist and thoroughly enjoyed her role, but when her health continued to decline, chose instead to move into a health adjacent role and has adapted to become an accomplished Healthcare Recruiter. Megan's focus in this space is on supporting regional, rural and remote communities with supply of nurses and support staff, which she is exceptionally passionate about and recently ranked in the top 10% of Healthcare Recruiters in Australia as awarded by Sourcr in 2023.
Using her combined expertise as a health consumer, worker and supporter, she is able to use this knowledge in combination with her skills in business, fundraising, community and public speaking to great effect. These additional skills outside of health were built through a wealth of business and community experience, with the highlight being awarded the International Leo of the Year in 2014 and being the founding Leo's Club Charter president, which led her to a speaking and community tour of Australia. Megan is the founder of 'Shields Up' - an initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide masks and face shields to the most vulnerable in society, inspired by her passions for public health and protecting those with compromised immune systems.
Megan regularly supports and helps to organise various charity events, participates in research panels, and undertakes public speaking opportunities, and looks forward to combining her lived experience and professional knowledge to improve the health outcomes and patient experience of people across Australia.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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Awarded Top 10% of Healthcare Recruiters in Australia 2023 by Sourcr
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Speaker - Gold Coast Disability Expo 2022, Gold Coast Fresh Futures Market 2021
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Founder of Shields Up Australia during the COVID19 Crisis, March - July 2020
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International Leo of the year 2014
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Australian Leo of the year 2013
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Guest on the Largest Minority Podcast
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Wellness Empowerment Movement Ambassador
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Founder of the GVK Leos Club Charter President/member
2012 – 2016 -
Fundraising for Variety the Children’s Charity & Leos and
Lions Clubs Australia -
Miss World Australia State Finalist 2018
LINKS
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Five Tips for advocating for yourself with healthcare providers - Hireup Opinion Piece
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“One day I appear ‘normal’, the next, I have a walking frame:” Megan Hackwood on life with a rare condition - Hireup Opinion Piece
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'5 ways that employers can support staff who have ongoing health problems' - Hireup Opinion Piece
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Megan's Story: Chronic Illnesses - The Largest Minority Podcast
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Leo of the Year 2013-14 Video
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Leo of the Year 2013 QLD Nomination
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Lion's Magazine Feature - International Leo of the Year 2014
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Wellness Empowerment Movement Ambassador
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