Meet Mary-Anne Hodson

At Icon, our nurses play a vital role in strengthening cancer care globally, supporting patients, sharing knowledge and building services where they’re needed most. 

For Registered Nurse, Mary‑Anne Hodson, delivering cancer care has always been about understanding people, where they live, what matters to them, and how care can be provided with compassion and respect.

That belief took her from Icon Cancer Centre Wahroonga in New South Wales to Bali, Indonesia, where she played a key role in helping establish Icon’s newest ASEAN centre at Bali International Hospital and the first in Indonesia. 

With support from Icon’s Nursing Career Pathways Program and Group Director of Nursing, Margie Hjorth, Mary Anne travelled to Indonesia alongside other Australian nurses to help introduce Icon’s standards of care that is embedded across all sites globally.  

Collaboration at the heart of care

Drawing on her experiences from Icon Cancer Centre Wahroonga and Mildura (Victoria), Mary-Anne credited the strength of collaboration with the teams as the key to success. 

“Working closely with local specialists was absolutely essential,” she said.  

“We shaped the service together in a way that respected local needs, expectations and cultural nuances.” 

That shared respect created a strong sense of connection and birthed a nickname Mary‑Anne will never forget. 

“The team were so welcoming, warm and enthusiastic and many of them started calling me ‘Mama Mary’, which I’ll always treasure.” 

“In Indonesia, instead of ringing the bell to signify overcoming a milestone in their cancer treatment, patients hit a gong three times.  

“Seeing that cultural adaptation for the first time was incredibly moving.” 

Growing through global experience

Working in a different country challenged and expanded Mary‑Anne’s perspective as a nurse, growing her understanding for how community shapes the way care is provided.  

“You gain such a deep appreciation for how care is delivered in different environments,” Mary-Anne said.  

“The best care doesn’t look the same everywhere and it needs to be adapted to respect local context, resources and beliefs.” 

Learning from the Bali team reinforced the importance of adaptability and patient‑centred care for Mary-Anne, whilst also broadening her perspective of care. 

A lasting impact

Mary‑Anne hopes the knowledge, confidence and practical skills that she has learnt will continue to support the Bali team well into the future. 

“If the chance comes up, I’d absolutely encourage people to put their hand up because these experiences are incredibly enriching and help you grow in ways you don’t expect,” Mary-Anne said. 

“Seeing how healthcare works in different places, learning from other cultures and embracing new perspectives makes you a more well‑rounded clinician, and a more grounded person.” 

Learn more about a career with Icon or discover our nursing career pathways.