Where there’s life, there’s Mercy.
Where there’s care, there’s Annie Chiu
Annie Chiu solves puzzles. In her role as Service Manager at Mercy Place East Melbourne, she ensures our inner-city home runs smoothly for her team and residents alike. Annie brings a unique combination of skills to Mercy Health, where she’s found true support and care from her colleagues. An avid traveller who never shies away from a challenge, here’s why Annie is excited by the opportunities to grow with us.
Valuable experiences
When Annie Chiu began her studies, she didn’t anticipate her career leading her to healthcare. After moving to Australia from Taiwan as an international student in 2004, she pursued a Bachelor of Communications and later completed a postgraduate degree in media and communications. However, securing full-time employment proved challenging for Annie, so she decided to pivot her academic compass in an unexpected direction.
“I did a Bachelor of Nursing for three years, and I finally got my visa,” Annie says. “I didn’t think I would enjoy maths or biology but I’m actually happy with my journey. Communications is so different from nursing, and they both taught me a lot.”
It might be an unlikely combination, but it makes Annie a perfect addition to the team at Mercy Place East Melbourne. Since joining in 2015, she has smoothly transitioned through various roles, starting as a Personal Care Assistant and advancing to Care Manager. Now, as a Service Manager, Annie’s responsibilities range from managing staff schedules to ensuring the overall operational efficiency of the inner-city aged care home. She says her diverse experience provides her with valuable insight – and there’s so much more to come.
“When you’re running a home, you need many skills to ensure it runs smoothly. If I didn’t have a medical background, it could be a bit challenging. I also want to take my knowledge a step further by studying business in the future. I’ll always keep learning.”
A team that digs deep
It’s no secret – working in healthcare and human services isn’t always easy. However, Annie is motivated by the challenges of her role and says they’re what help her grow.
“I feel like if you don’t take on challenges, you won’t learn anything. It’s a great experience. Then when I get older, I can pass on what I’ve learned to my kids or my friends. It keeps it interesting.”
And it’s made all the more achievable by Annie’s incredible team. She says the people she’s met at Mercy Health carry on and support each other, whatever comes their way.
“Everyone here is really helpful. My boss, Tara, has been excellent and really supportive in many ways. She’s the one who helped me reach this position and will take the time to explain things to me if I need it. My regional manager, Andrew, is just as supportive. I’ve learned a lot from them, and I know I’ll continue learning from them.”
It’s what Annie loves most about her role with us. To be a Mercy Health person, she believes you need an open mind and heart – and in return, you’ll find compassionate, dedicated people from day one.
“I think when you’re joining a new organisation, the first impression you have is really important. And if someone is being really friendly to you, it makes a big difference. That’s what’s kept me here.”
To new heights
Our people give so much, and Annie is no exception. We want to ensure everyone here has all they need to thrive – and for Annie, that means having the flexibility and balance to learn from cultures all over the world.
“I love travelling. It’s really important to me, and at Mercy Health, my bosses support me to do it. Having those breaks allows me to come back refreshed – I really enjoy the flexibility.”
Annie has gone from strength to strength with Mercy Health. As she continues her journey with us, she says there’s so much opportunity here – to build on all that’s gone before, to grow her impact, and to gain experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
“Mercy Health is the kind of organisation that will always provide opportunities for its staff. For example, they provide graduate courses for registered nurses. You can continue to learn new information and knowledge that helps you in your career. They really help all staff. That makes me excited for my future.”
Where there’s life, there’s Mercy. Where there’s care, there’s You.
Join us and see the impact you can make.
Last reviewed May 7, 2024.