Ms Cherie Bennett1,2,3,4
1ASHM, Sydney, Australia, 2Sydney Sexual Health Centre , Sydney , Australia , 3The Kirby Institute – University of New South Wales , Kensignton , Australia , 4University of Wollongong , Wollongong , Australia
Biography:
Cherie Bennett is an experienced nurse, educator, and policy leader with over a decade of experience in HIV, sexual health, and viral hepatitis. Her work spans clinical practice, research, policy, and workforce development across government, non-government, and academic settings. Growing up in a regional city surrounded by rural communities shaped her strong commitment to rural and remote health. Cherie leads nursing policy and advocacy at ASHM, provides specialist clinical care, and manages the Cooper HIV/AIDS Research Training Program. Cherie is passionate about developing the nursing workforce and advancing nurse-led, equitable, and person-centred models of care.
Abstract:
Expected workshop learning outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Apply current syphilis testing and re-testing recommendations in rural and remote settings.
2. Identify practical nurse-led strategies to overcome distance, workforce, and access barriers.
3. Initiate culturally safe and trauma-informed conversations about STI testing and treatment.
4. Respond confidently to positive syphilis results, including follow-up and partner management when services are limited.
5. Reflect on how nurse-led models, including emerging RN prescribing frameworks, can strengthen syphilis care in remote practice.
Workshop overview (interactive format)
Syphilis remains a significant and growing public health issue in Australia and has been declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. The impacts are disproportionately felt in rural and remote communities where geographic isolation, limited access to pathology and specialist services, workforce constraints, stigma, and challenges with follow-up can delay diagnosis and treatment. Nurses working in remote settings are often the first and sometimes only point of contact, positioning them as critical to prevention, early detection, and continuity of care.
This interactive 60-minute workshop is designed for nurses and health professionals working across rural and remote Australia. It will focus on using practical, nurse-led approaches and ASHM’s clinical tools to support syphilis prevention and management across the life course, grounded in the realities of remote practice.
Participants will engage in:
• A brief knowledge check to surface common challenges in remote settings.
• Small-group, case-based discussions using realistic scenarios from rural and remote settings.
• Scenario-based exploration of culturally safe communication, follow-up at a distance, and partner management.
• Peer sharing of strategies that have worked in diverse remote contexts.
The session emphasises collaborative learning, acknowledges participant expertise, and provides practical strategies that can be immediately applied in remote and very remote practice environments.