#WeAreNorthern

Meet Daniella Chapkoun, Clinical Informatics Advisor, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Northern Health.

Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order?

A: Always a latte. And while we’re here – let me help everyone out with my surname, which often causes a bit of confusion. It’s Chapkoun, like Napkin… but with a twist!

Q: Tell us about your journey at EMR?

A: I joined the EMR team in 2018 as a Workflow Analyst, before Northern Health had secured funding. My role focused on understanding current clinical processes and identifying what would be needed to safely and effectively transition the organisation into a digital environment.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to lead the implementation of Referrals Manager in Specialist clinics, which transitioned more than 145,000 paper-based referrals into a digital platform. I later moved into the role of Nursing Informatics Officer and Benefits Analyst, and I’m now in the role of Clinical Informatics Advisor within the Digital Health Division.

In my current role, I lead and support a range of digital health initiatives, working collaboratively with clinical teams to ensure our systems are safe, efficient, and aligned with best practice. I focus particularly on the intersection of technology and clinical workflows—ensuring that digital tools are designed to support, not complicate, the delivery of care.

Q: What is the best part of working at Northern Health?

A: I’ve seen Northern Health grow from a smaller service into one of the fastest-growing health services in Victoria. What’s remained consistent is the strong focus on innovation and high-quality patient care. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside passionate, forward-thinking colleagues who are committed to improvement and professional growth.

Q: What does a typical day at work look like for you?

A: I often joke that I wish I had a typical day! My role is focused on ensuring our digital systems are safe, user-friendly, and designed to enhance clinical workflows—especially for nursing staff. I spend a lot of time working through challenges with stakeholders, translating clinical needs into digital solutions. Data plays a big role in what I do, and I’m always looking for ways to use it meaningfully to inform decisions and improve outcomes.

Q: If you weren’t in your current role, what would you have been instead?

A: Most likely something still tied to improving systems and processes or maybe running a small café somewhere in Italy with a well-organised spreadsheet behind the counter.

Q: Tell us one thing not many people know about you?

A: I speak conversational Italian. I learned through speaking with my grandparents as a child, and while I thought the skill had faded, a recent trip to Italy proved otherwise. I surprised not only myself but also the locals who didn’t realise I wasn’t from there.

Q: Favourite childhood memory?

A: Riding Puffing Billy with my legs dangling out the window. A little bit of freedom, a little bit of thrill – it’s a memory that’s stuck with me.

Q: Sweet or savoury?

A: I used to prefer savoury, but after having children, my sweet tooth has definitely taken over!

Pictured in featured image: Daniella at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.