Senior Consultant

Larissa Smart

With over 12 years of experience in the health industry, Larissa Smart brings a wealth of knowledge in nursing, education, and research to HealthConsult. Her expertise spans from hands-on clinical practice to academic leadership, making her a valuable asset in shaping health policies and implementing evidence-based practices. Larissa's work has been instrumental in advancing paediatric care, remote health services, and nursing education across Australia and New Zealand.

Larissa’s superpower

Larissa’s unique ability to bridge the gap between clinical practice, research, and education is what sets her apart. Larissa's extensive experience in diverse healthcare settings, coupled with her talent for implementing evidence-informed change in complex environments, enables her to develop solutions that are both cutting-edge and practical.

How she got here

  • Led the paediatric stream as a Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Tasmania, coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate courses and spearheading innovation in multidisciplinary simulation activities.
  • Pioneered research in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip screening, contributing to improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical practices.
  • Developed and implemented specialised nursing curricula at the University of South Australia, enhancing the quality of nursing education in paediatric care.
  • Served as a Remote Area Emergency and Child Health Nurse in Western Australia, providing critical healthcare services to Aboriginal communities and improving access to quality healthcare in remote areas.
  • Contributed to the Right@home Program at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, participating in research aimed at improving early childhood development outcomes.
  • Published multiple peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from developmental hip dysplasia screening to COVID-19 in children, demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous learning.
  • Received multiple teaching awards and grants, including a Student Nominated Teaching Award from the University of Tasmania and a Minor Seed Grant from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
  • Led conferences and working groups, including the Regional Vision's Conference and the Cradle Coast Community of Practice Conference, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the healthcare community.