Behind the Build: Elizabeth Soleil-Moudiky-Joh on Care, Confidence and Independence

Behind the Build: Elizabeth Soleil-Moudiky-Joh on Care, Confidence and Independence

19 Jan 2026

With a career spanning neurorehabilitation, aged care and dementia advocacy, her philosophy now shapes the purpose of the new Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit at H Block — a space designed to help older patients rebuild confidence and independence.

Elizabeth’s journey into geriatrics began in neurorehabilitation, where she became aware of how different recovery looks once patients leave acute care. She was drawn to dementia care not by decline, but by the enduring person behind the diagnosis.

She says challenging stigma has been a driving force in her work. Through the way care is delivered and the language used, she has focused on preserving dignity and recognising the life experience and identity that remain.

Having worked across several services within Gold Coast Health — including the Robina Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) unit within Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Community Services — Elizabeth says these experiences have shaped her leadership approach.

Time, observation and patience, she explains, are essential in caring for older adults. Rather than taking over, the goal is to support people to do as much as they can for themselves. This philosophy is guiding the team she is building for the GEM Unit: a mix of experience and fresh perspectives, united by respect, compassion and a commitment to person-centred care.

Once open, the GEM Unit will support older adults recovering from acute illness who are preparing to return home or transition into supported accommodation when that is the most suitable next step. This period can be challenging, as people work to regain confidence and independence after illness.
The unit includes a specially designed independent living bedroom on the Lower Ground floor of H Block, created to support everyday independence.. Designed to feel like a home environment, the space allows patients to practise everyday tasks such as making a cup of tea, preparing simple meals and following familiar routines, while clinicians remain close by for support.

Preparing for the move into H Block has focused on both practical readiness and culture. Education pathways, structured orientation and team development are underway, with equal emphasis placed on mindset. Elizabeth says GEM care relies on curiosity, respect and patience, values she is embedding early as the unit takes shape.

She also believes the physical environment plays an important, though often understated, role in recovery. Features such as natural light, wide corridors, generous ensuites and calm communal spaces help patients feel oriented, safe and at ease, while supporting staff to deliver effective care.

Elizabeth has seen the impact of thoughtful design before through her involvement in developing a dementia-friendly unit, later recognised with a Premier’s Award nomination. That experience reinforced her belief that the built environment can actively support recovery, not just house it — a principle reflected throughout H Block.

Looking ahead, Elizabeth says she is most excited to see the team come together and to watch patients benefit from a space designed specifically around their needs. She believes the unit’s environment will contribute to improved outcomes, including shorter overall hospital stays.

Outside of work, Elizabeth prioritises clear boundaries to protect her wellbeing. She avoids checking emails at home, switches off her work phone when off shift and unwinds in the garden. Talking through the day with her husband helps her acknowledge the challenging moments and then let them go.

H Block officially opened at Gold Coast University Hospital on 10 September 2025, with services commencing from 23 September. The combined Geriatric Evaluation and Management and Acute Cognitive Unit wards welcomed their first patients, followed by the relocation of the Complex Management Unit from Robina Hospital. The final stage of the development — a standalone 24-bed GEM Unit on the Lower Ground floor — is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, completing the full H Block facility.

https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/

Source: Gold Coast Health

 

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