From a Navy sailor to a radiation therapist and now a leader in a cancer care – Amanda’s career proves there’s no one ‘right’ path
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Now, as the new Site Manager at Icon Cancer Centre Springfield, Amanda draws on a diverse background spanning military service, clinical practice, and governance— bringing unique insight and heart to patient care.
Amanda’s story in healthcare began with a change of course. Originally planning to become a nurse— she instead enlisted as a sailor in the Royal Australian Navy, serving as an electronic technician.
“The Navy gave me the chance to travel and learn skills that I still use every day,” Amanda reflected. “But I knew my heart was still in healthcare.”
After her service, Amanda turned her sights to radiation therapy— a field she hadn’t originally considered, but one she quickly grew to love.
“My path into radiation therapy hasn’t been traditional, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said. “And sometimes the road less travelled leads to the most rewarding destinations.”
In 2010, Amanda joined Radiation Oncology Queensland (now Icon Cancer Centre) as a radiation therapist. During her interview, CEO Mark Middleton gave her a piece of advice she never forgot: “We’re going places—stick with us, kid.”
She did—and has been growing with Icon ever since.
After returning from maternity leave, Amanda found herself preparing Icon Cancer Centre Toowoomba for accreditation. And what began as a side project in 2012 she said quickly turned into a passion.
“My Navy background gave me a real appreciation for structure and quality, so it just clicked.”
That project eventually led her to become an establishing member in Icon’s Quality Team in 2015, where she spent the next decade helping to shape and strengthen our patient safety and quality healthcare standards.
In 2024, Amanda joined Icon’s Future Leader Forum— an experience that sparked her next move.
“I thought I wasn’t ready for leadership yet, but with the encouragement of program facilitator, Belinda Brosnan, and my manager, I realised I could do it.”
So, when the opportunity arose to manage the Springfield site, Amanda stepped up.
“It’s been a big learning curve, but I love being back onsite, connecting with patients while leading an incredible team,” she shared.
Amanda credits her growth to her diverse experience and the mentors who have supported her.
“Each role throughout my career has taught me something different, and together, they’ve made me the leader I am today,” she said.
“Mark Middleton and Cath Di Stasi have also been key players in my growth. Mark always believing in me and encouraging me to push myself, and Cath being both an inspiration and mentor as I’ve witnessed her career unfold.”
Amanda encourages others to stay open and intentional with their careers.
“One of the lessons I learned through Future Leader Forum is to check in with your values,” she said. “Ask yourself what matters most to you right now—and build your career around that.
“Your values might change over time, and that’s okay. The key is to realign and keep moving forward. Be curious, ask questions, step up, and watch how others lead. It all adds up.”
From sailor to radiation therapist, quality and clinical governance to site manager— Amanda’s story shows what’s possible for a healthcare career.
“I hope my journey shows other radiation therapists and healthcare professionals that they can shape their careers into whatever they want,” she expressed.
“And at Icon, we have the support and leaders to make it happen.”
Icon Group is Australia’s largest dedicated cancer care provider and has expanded globally into Singapore, Mainland China, Hong Kong and New Zealand.
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