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.”
Tina at work as a paramedic in Australia
What drew you to palliative care? What is your personal experience of palliative care?
Tina’s mum, Dorothy, with her grandson (Tina’s son), Luke
“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.”
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
11th October 2023
Pilgrims Hospices share workforce stories throughout Hospice Care Week
Amy tells us why she has made a career in compassionate care and why Pilgrims is so important to her
When I first came to work at Pilgrims Hospices, it was for a week as a temp while I was in between jobs. A week turned into two, which turned into a month. That was in July 2000 and the rest is history! After a few months covering in different departments, I got a job as a medical secretary at the Canterbury hospice. I really enjoyed that role, and 15 years later was successful recruited to become the hospices Administration Manager. My mum and dad also worked at the hospices. Mum first, working in the Personnel department and then Dad after me, when he became the maintenance engineer at the Ashford hospice until he retired in 2011.
I had just turned 21 when I started working at Pilgrims, and was fairly naïve about what a hospice was. Throughout the years, I have grown up with the organisation, through lots of changes in my personal and professional life. I have spent my most formative adult years expanding my knowledge on how we deliver end-of-life care. I honestly feel that because of this, the hospice has a special place in my heart. I love what we do; I love how Pilgrims’ look after patients and their families, and I think we make a massive difference to those people. Nothing is too much trouble, and we have always done as much as we could to help people with their wishes, large or small, at the end of their life.
One of my proudest moments was when I was a medical secretary; a patient at Pilgrims Day Centre was a keen motorcyclist but was unable to ride anymore. His wish was to be able to just have one more ride on a motorcycle, but being unable to do this himself it needed to be in a sidecar. The team in the day centre came to ask me if I could try and find a way we could do this. I got in touch with some motorcycle clubs around the area, and a kind gentleman made contact saying he had a sidecar, and that it would be a pleasure to take the patient out for a ride. We arranged a meeting one Saturday, it was just amazing to see how excited and happy the patient and his family were that this could be achieved. The man with the sidecar turned out to be Eric Richard, the actor who played PC Bob Cryer in the TV series, The Bill, which added to the amazement! The best part of the day was, the patient had a brilliant time, and was so happy to be able to enjoy a motorcycle ride again.
Having worked for Pilgrims for so long, I always thought I knew everything there was to know about the hospice and the care provided, but I was so wrong. Sadly my mum got cancer and was admitted to the Canterbury hospice for end-of-life care in 2017. To be in that situation – on the other side – now as a relative, was so different to what I’d thought. I was stunned at the level of care and attention the care teams give patients and relatives, and it honestly blew my mind. I had no idea just how deep their treatment went, and the commitment they give to each tiny detail. This made my love of the hospice movement even deeper than it had been. Mum was able to say how she wanted her last days to be, and this was achieved. Although devastating, she had the best death she could have had. This year, unfortunately my dad had a very short illness and was admitted to the Canterbury hospice. Like my mum, he was able to state his wishes; again this was achieved fully, and his death was also just as he wanted. Both were peaceful, with the family, full of the love they deserved.
I could never repay Pilgrims for the wonderful care my parents received, and I fully understand when people say ‘a good death’. I don’t know what we would have done if we didn’t have the hospice to achieve this.
The fact that I experienced this, makes me even more grateful that I work for a charity that helps thousands of patients and their families, all year round. I am extremely proud and humbled to be a part of something that provides a service like this.
Working for Pilgrims Hospices:
Whether you support patients and families within our care teams, help to raise vital funds or work in our support services, Pilgrims can offer a very rewarding career.
Working alongside passionate, like-minded and knowledgeable people, a career with Pilgrims provides you with the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of families within east Kent.
Through providing care, working in our shops or attending events, there are always opportunities to network with other professionals and establish strong relationships within our community.
Alternatively, you might like to volunteer for Pilgrims?
Please explore our opportunities when you click here.
