With over a decade of experience, Gel Bolanos began nursing in the Philippines, has worked in clinical research, spent the last six years as a Research Nurse/Study Coordinator, and is currently a Study Coordinator at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Gel Bolanos has been an ANZGOG member since 2014. She is currently a Study Coordinator at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and has worked in the clinical research sector, starting in nursing in the Philippines. Gel has over a decade of experience in nursing and spent the last 6 years as a Research Nurse/Study Coordinator. She started her clinical research coordinator role here in Australia at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney in 2014.
How does your role has a Study Coordinator complement ANZGOG research?
My role complements ANZGOG research by providing advice, education and support to patients and the families of patients involved in clinical trials. I discuss any new information and changes to the study that potentially have an impact on the patient, and I contribute to the development and delivery of patient education programs/information and to the teaching of staff, patients and family & their carers as relates to clinical trials.
How and when did you first get involved with ANZGOG? What does being a member of ANZGOG mean to you?
My first involvement with ANZGOG was when I first started working as a GynaeOnc Trials Coordinator with the very committed team of clinicians and nurses at the Lifehouse. To be an ANZGOG member means I am able to collaborate with more resolute individuals who strive to develop new and novel treatments, as well as get a greater understanding of gynaecological cancers and the needs of patients with this disease.
Have you attended an ANZGOG Annual Scientific Meeting and if so what were your highlights?
Yes, I have attended an ANZGOG ASM a few times. I found the study coordinators workshops really engaging and interesting. It is also encouraging to hear clinicians behind current and upcoming studies speak about their work. You can really see the passion and dedication towards the projects they are doing.
“To be an ANZGOG member means I am able to collaborate with more resolute individuals who strive to develop new and novel treatments, as well as get a greater understanding of gynaecological cancers and the needs of patients with this disease.”
If you have anybody in the world, past or present, who would you choose as a dinner guest and why?
This will be easy. It will have to be my parents who are back in the Philippines. With the current pandemic, it is uncertain when we can be able to go back to travelling and visiting our loved ones overseas. It will be a delight if they can come here even just as my dinner guests!
How will women benefit from research you’ve been involved with?
I believe research will improve women’s health through innovation that informs better healthcare. Women will be recipients of quality care and best treatment management and practices based on up-to-date knowledge resulting from research.
If you’re an ANZGOG Member, fundraiser, supporter, or cancer survivor; if you’d like to share your story with ANZGOG, please get in touch with hnesfield@anzgog.org.au.
