Elissa Dabkowski is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at Federation University Australia and a registered nurse, physiotherapist and health researcher. She completed her PhD in 2024, examining hospital patients’ awareness of their falls risk in regional Victoria.

Elissa’s research interests include patient safety, digital health, rural health, community wellbeing and the translation of evidence into practice. Elissa is committed to supporting regional communities and ensuring that research and health services respond to local needs. She is also an Executive Committee member of the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, a voluntary organisation providing financial assistance to Gippsland residents affected by disasters. Elissa enjoys contributing to nursing research leadership, health professional education and the development of emerging researchers.

Elissa has a personal connection to Neerim Health, as her grandmother was an aged care resident at Tarago Views. She lives in Gippsland with her husband and three children. She welcomes the opportunity to contribute her clinical, research and community experience to Neerim Health and to support the organisation’s direction, including the development of the new Community Health Hub.