Louise Kurczycki

Louise dedicated her 30-year career to improving the quality of life for people impacted by incontinence issues, particularly those with multiple sclerosis.

She began her nursing career in 1983 with the Royal District Nursing Service, where she became Program Coordinator for Continence Promotion and Management. Afterwards, as the inaugural manager of the NeuroUrology and Continence Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Louise forged valuable links with the MS Society and continence nursing advisers, and was awarded major research grants including under the National Continence Management Strategy.

Through her expert knowledge, Louise assisted people with multiple sclerosis, the elderly, children with disabilities and people with spinal cord injuries who experienced severe bladder and bowel issues, by empowering them and introducing management strategies to improve their quality of life.

In 2007, Louise moved to the Netherlands where she worked for 2 years as a consultant with Allergan, undertaking incontinence clinical trials for patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. These trials demonstrated the significant benefits of Botox as treatment for this condition, and became the standard of care in advanced health systems.

Louise passed away in August, 2014. She is remembered for her dedication to educating the nursing profession in continence assessment and management, and her contributions to developing new continence promotion, care guidelines and courses. She has left a legacy of improved treatment and care for those living with multiple sclerosis and incontinence.