Each day Professor Jason Payne explores innovative solutions to improving patient outcomes as Chief Executive of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre — a world leading cancer research, education and treatment centre.
“I love spotting an opportunity,” smiles Jason with palpable enthusiasm. “I really love to take a risk and look at some strategic challenges, then turn that opportunity into something that benefits the organisation, patients and the Victorian community.”
When it comes to tackling a challenge as monumental as cancer, Jason believes connecting the right people is paramount.
“I find that bringing people together from all these different backgrounds, who may have worked in other healthcare systems or hospitals, is really important because everyone can contribute to a terrific outcome.”
That collaborative approach is driving truly cutting-edge work.
In February 2026, the organisation scanned the first patient in the world with groundbreaking total body PET/CT technology — opening extraordinary opportunities for whole-body imaging, novel tracer research, and tailored treatment strategies. Faster, more detailed imaging will also improve the patient experience and access to this critical diagnostic tool.
While Jason admits, “public health is a challenging area to work in,” with his gaze set firmly on the next major breakthrough, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Purpose and possibility
Jason’s dedication to supporting others through difficult times began early.
“My mother has had chronic mental health issues since I was very young, and I'd been very used to looking after her,” he recalls. “I became very interested in health care, so my desire to help people grew over time.”
That desire took him from his small country town to Bendigo to study nursing at La Trobe University.
“I grew up in a tiny community where everybody knew you,” he says. “So whilst Bendigo isn't Melbourne, it certainly was a large town for me to move to at the time.”
He thrived in the vibrant academic environment before beginning his career as a Registered Nurse at Austin Health, working across a range of clinical areas.
“During that time, I became very connected to the patient, very connected to their family,” reflects Jason. “I really saw the impact of critical medical intervention and the change that made to their lives. It was pretty phenomenal.”
While he loved clinical nursing, he was eager to scale his impact.
“I did love being around patients, but I was becoming increasingly frustrated with systems and models of care, and processes” he says. “I realised early on that to make a difference, I needed to get into leadership roles because leaders can influence change.”
Jason went on to hold senior positions across Austin Health, Mercy Health and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer, Wellness and Research Centre. For him, leadership is grounded in teamwork.
“Sometimes I might have made a decision in my own mind about the direction I want to take, but after listening to colleagues, I've always been really open to changing my mind — and I actually often do.”
Collaborating for better care
Jason’s connections to universities — including as Adjunct Professor at La Trobe’s School of Nursing and Midwifery — remain central to his mission to improve cancer care globally.
“The connections into universities are really critical,” he says. “The universities are these huge ecosystems that have resources and talented people, who also want to make a difference.”
Despite the complex challenges facing both academics and public health professionals, Jason remains resolute. “Even on the toughest days, if I've got a plan and if I've got a solution to something, I'm okay. Even if that plan is difficult to execute.”
For students and future leaders, his message is simple.
“I think anything's possible. I came from a small country town in Victoria. I never thought that I would necessarily be here, but I think that if you're ambitious and you're courageous and willing to take a risk and you back yourself, they're really great things to promote yourself and your career.”
Jason completed a Bachelor of Nursing (1995) at La Trobe University, Bendigo.
