Qualifications

• Bachelor of Nursing Science, Saint Anthony College of Nursing 
• Master of Science in Nursing, Saint Xavier University Chicago 
• Master’s Certificate in Applied Gerontology Helen Bader School for Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 
• Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education, Saint Xavier University, Chicago 
• Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 
• Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors 

Areas of interest

• Healthy ageing and ageing in place 
• Rural ageing in place 
• AgeTech and digitally enabled care 
• Artificial intelligence, remote monitoring and digital biomarkers 
• Nursing and aged care workforce capability 
• Scholarship of learning and teaching in nursing 

Areas of expertise

Gordana has expertise in gerontology, digital health and the development, evaluation and implementation of AgeTech in nursing, aged care and community settings. Her research examines how artificial intelligence, ambient and wearable sensors, remote monitoring, virtual care and clinical decision-support systems can support older people’s health, independence and quality of life. She also has expertise in human-centred design, implementation science, mixed-methods research and co-design with older adults, families, health professionals, industry and care providers. Her educational research focuses on contemporary nursing education and preparing graduates for the evolving needs of the health and aged care workforce. 

Grants

• Dermody, G., Shibl, R., Mealy, E., Wang, M., Watson, J., North, K. and Fritz, R. 2025–26. ‘Homeara+: Enhancing Health Smart Home Monitoring with Machine Learning to Support Ageing in Place and the Regional Aged Care Workforce’. Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA). ($99,964) 
• Verdonck, M., Ripat, J.D., Merollini, K., Dermody, G., Kean, B. and Fowler, J. 2024–26. ‘Technology Enabled Homes for People with Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury’. National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland. ($156,240)
• Jones, C., Craswell, A., Schaumberg, M., Wood, D., Dermody, G., Clacy, A., Hunter, K., Mayo, L. and Dixon, D. 2023–24. ‘Adding Life to Years Through Individualised App-Based Physical Activity and Wellbeing Support for Older People: The Champion Life Seniors Platform’. Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA). ($210,000) 
• Ward, A., Schaumberg, M., Wadsworth, D., Craswell, A., Askew, C., Dermody, G., Goold, L., Luttrell, B. and Banks, H. 2023–25. ‘Creative Conversations: Co-designing Approaches Exploring the Future of Retirement Living in Australia’. Keyton Holding Pty Ltd. ($144,746) 

Awards

• 2024: University of the Sunshine Coast School of Health Service Excellence Award for ‘Cultivating an inclusive, future-focused workplace culture’ Mentoring program team award
• 2021: Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the CNC Board of Commissionaires (2017–2020) 

Current

• Masters by research, Federation University Australia, ‘Exploring the Feasibility and Implementation of Voice-Activated AI Documentation Tools in Australian Home Care Nursing’, principal supervisor. 
• PhD student, Federation University Australia, research examining Russian-speaking immigrants’ perceptions and experiences of healthcare services, co-supervisor. 
• PhD student, University of the Sunshine Coast, ‘Targeting Social Isolation as a Risk Factor for Health Outcomes in Australian Older Adults: Designing Technological Social-Isolation Interventions’, co-supervisor. 
• PhD student, Federation University Australia, ‘Community Registered Nurses’ Perceptions of Integrating Smart-Home Technologies into Care and the Perceived Impact on Their Role’, principal supervisor. 

Past

• Honours student, University of the Sunshine Coast, ‘Assistive Technology in the Home Is Choice and Control … It’s Freedom: Perspectives of People with Physical Disability Using Electronic Assistive Technologies in the Home’, co-supervisor. 
• PhD student, Edith Cowan University, ‘Health Beliefs, Health Behaviours and Perceived Support Needs Among Older Vietnam-Born People Living with Chronic Disease in the Australian Context: A Focused Ethnographic Study’ (2022), co-supervisor. 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice student, Washington State University, ‘Improving Primary Care Providers’ Compliance with the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guidelines’ (2017), project chair. 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice student, Washington State University, ‘Medication Reconciliation in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Project with Pharmacy Students’ (2017), project chair. 
• Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader student, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, ‘Implementation of a VTE Prophylaxis Bundle’ (2017), project chair. 
• Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader student, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, ‘Mobility Programs for the Hospitalized Older Adult: A Scoping Review’ (2017), project chair. 
• Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader student, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, ‘Reducing Catheter-Acquired Infection Through a Nurse-Driven Protocol’ (2016), project chair. 
• Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader student, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, ‘Improving Adherence to Falls Prevention Measures Within an Acute Care Setting’ (2016), project chair. 

• Gerontology 
• Leadership 
• Research 
• Evidence-based practice 
• Project management 

Specialist roles

• Lead, Nursing Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Research Stream 

Professional association memberships

• Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) 
• Australian College of Nursing (ACN) 
• International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG)