Introducing Dr. Tina Ivanov: “I have a genuine interest in how we get death and dying right for people”
Dr. Tina Ivanov is the Director of Clinical Operations at Pilgrims Hospices; she joined the charity in March 2026, following a long career as a paramedic in both Australia and England.
She has also worked in clinical education and service development, helping to keep patients safe, engaging staff, and leading on clinical governance.
Tina shares what drew her to palliative care, and her hopes for the future at Pilgrims.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Tina moved to the UK in 2015:
“People always ask me why I left Oz. Firstly, I love to travel, and the world seems much closer when based in England. But the other reason was work; I thought I could learn so much being part of the healthcare system in England. It’s not perfect, but there’s a lot to be excited about in the way we deliver health and care here.”
What is your professional background?
“It’s a lovely mix of clinical, people and education. I’ve been a registered paramedic, which is one of the Allied Health Professions, for nearly three decades. I also have a professional membership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and I’m a Doctor of Education.
I’ve worked in ambulance services and a hospital, as well as in universities, in lecturing and course development, for most of my career. I’ve been a manager for about 20 years, leading teams and services, and working at senior levels across operations, people and service development.”
What drew you to palliative care? What is your personal experience of palliative care?
“As a paramedic, I’ve seen the full spectrum of palliative patients, dying and death. In my early career, I felt I needed to “save” everyone, but as I learnt more and saw the reality, my approach to death and dying changed. I saw that having dignity in death and allowing the dying person to feel supported and in control, and providing information to them and their family, was far more beneficial than medication or intervention – so I have a genuine interest in how we get this right for people.
I experienced this personally through my mum, Dorothy, who lived with Parkinson’s disease for many years before being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Although one part of my family remained in denial right to the end, my mum wanted a safe space to talk about her wishes and to die at home. The support provided by the hospice team was exceptional, and my mum died at home with us there. Being able to support that outcome for her was one of the most privileged positions I could be in.
These two experiences made me curious about best practice in palliative and end-of-life care; not just from a medical point of view, but with the whole picture in mind – psychological, environmental, the family, support – everything.”
Why did you choose Pilgrims Hospices? What do you enjoy about your role?
“The more I learnt about Pilgrims, the more I felt this is the right place for me. It has such a strong connection to the community we serve, which is so important to me. When I asked people about the charity, everyone spoke with such pride and connection, and I wanted to be part of that. And now that I’m here, I feel it; it’s not words on a poster on a wall, it’s real, and something I experience every day. Our people, staff, patients and volunteers all really matter.
I love working with individual teams and hearing about those stories where families and patients are supported, the stuff that goes on behind the work. Because we get to know our patients, we can do the very personal things that make such a difference. I love that, as Pilgrims, we champion that and give people the space to do it properly. It gives me a real positive energy in my role, and it’s what makes Pilgrims a very special place to work.”
