"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
As H Block at Gold Coast University Hospital prepares to open its standalone Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit, Nurse Unit Manager Elizabeth Soleil-Moudiky-joh reflects on the values that have guided her career: dignity, patience and seeing the person behind the symptoms.
From neurorehabilitation to dementia advocacy, Elizabeth has spent decades supporting older adults through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. The new GEM Unit brings that philosophy into a dedicated space built to help patients regain confidence, independence and a sense of what’s still possible.
Can you tell us a little about your background in geriatrics and rehabilitation, and what initially drew you to caring for older adults?
My interest in geriatrics began in neurorehabilitation, where I first saw the longer journey patients take after acute care. Dementia care drew me in further – not because of what’s lost, but because of what remains.
The stigma surrounding dementia pushed me to advocate for dignity through language and care. I wanted to be a voice for people who couldn’t speak for themselves and to honour the lives and stories still present.
You’ve worked across several areas of Gold Coast Health, including the Robina Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) within Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Community Services (RACCS). How have these experiences shaped your approach as you prepare to lead the GEM unit at H Block?
Working across ACE and in other rehabilitation and aged care services has taught me the value of time, observation and quiet patience. Older adults don’t need us to take over – they need us to support their independence.
I’m building a team who shares that philosophy: diverse, compassionate and committed to holistic, respectful care. If we choose our attitude, stay present and lift each other up, we create the kind of care older adults deserve.
What types of patients will the GEM unit support once open, and what does person-centred care look like for this cohort?
GEM supports older adults recovering after an acute illness and working towards returning home or moving into supported accommodation when that’s the most appropriate next step. This stage can feel challenging as people rebuild confidence and independence.
A feature I value greatly is the independent living bedroom in the GEM ward on H Block’s Lower Ground floor. It’s unique to our unit and offers a home-like space where patients can safely practise everyday tasks such as making a cup of tea, preparing a simple meal and following familiar routines. Clinicians are close by, but the focus is on giving people the confidence to reconnect with their everyday activities.
How is your team preparing for the transition into H Block?
We’re building a strong foundation through an education matrix, structured orientation and a team that blends new talent with experienced ACE clinicians. Preparation is as much about mindset as training. GEM care relies on patience, curiosity and respect and we’re embedding that early.
You’ve championed practical safety and independence initiatives in the past, such as coloured toilet seats to reduce falls risk. How important is thoughtful design in geriatric care, and what features of H Block stand out to you so far?
Thoughtful design plays a quiet but important role in patient care. In H Block, the bright spaces, wide corridors, generous ensuites and calm lounge areas all support orientation, mobility and a sense of ease. These elements may seem simple, but they help patients feel comfortable and confident as they move through their day and support staff in providing effective, person-centred care.
I’ve seen the impact of good design before through my involvement in creating a dementia-friendly unit, which was later nominated for a Premier’s Award. That experience reminded me that the environment is more than a backdrop – it can genuinely shape a person’s recovery. H Block carries that same intention and I’m grateful to see those principles reflected in the spaces our patients will use.
What are you most looking forward to once the unit opens?
I’m looking forward to seeing a new team come together with enthusiasm and pride and watching patients thrive in a space built for their needs. I believe the environment itself will support better outcomes such as a shorter overall length of stay.
Lastly, how do you look after yourself?
I keep clear boundaries: no email at home and my work phone stays off until I’m back on shift. I unwind in the garden by pruning, digging and trying (not always successfully) to keep my plants alive. Talking things through with my husband helps me release the day and move on. Acknowledge the hard moments, then let them go.
Following the official opening of H Block on 10 September 2025 at Gold Coast University, services commenced from 23 September, with the combined Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) and Acute Cognitive Unit (ACU) ward welcoming the first patients, followed by the Complex Management Unit (CMU), which relocated from Robina Hospital.
The final stage of H Block will see the standalone 24-bed GEM Unit on the Lower Ground floor open in the first quarter of 2026, completing the full H Block facility.
