NSW Health staff and volunteers have been celebrated for their innovation, kindness and commitment to providing outstanding care at the 28th annual NSW Health Awards.
Some of the innovative projects to win awards across the 15 categories included the introduction of artificial intelligence to support breast cancer screening, reforms improving access to ADHD care, and a pioneering emergency department model that is reshaping musculoskeletal care and helping reduce patient wait times.
The awards were presented by Minister for Health Ryan Park, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Regional Health Dr Michael Holland, and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM.
“I want to congratulate the winners and all 45 finalists for their outstanding contribution to our public health system. Every day, staff and volunteers across NSW Health are finding new and better ways to deliver safe, high-quality care to the people of NSW,” said Health Minister, Ryan Park.
“These awards showcase the incredible innovation and compassion demonstrated by people and teams in every corner of the state, from our largest metropolitan hospitals to our rural and regional communities.
“I would particularly like to highlight Professor Aaron Sverdlov from Hunter New England Local Health District, who was named Staff Member of the Year for his leadership in cardio-oncology and heart failure care, improving the lives of patients living with two of the world’s most significant health challenges.”
Awards were presented across 15 categories:
Staff Member of the Year Award:
Professor Aaron Sverdlov of the Hunter New England Local Health District
Professor Sverdlov is a leader in cardio-oncology and heart failure care, whose work has improved health outcomes and the quality of life for patients living with cancer and heart disease.
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Tresna Karras and Deanne Chapman, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney
Tresna and Deanne created the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney ED Angels program to provide compassionate, practical, and emotional Volunteer support to patients, families, and carers in the Emergency Department.
Small Acts of Kindness Award:
Seamus McMahon, Northern Sydney Local Health District
Seamus works as a gardener at Macquarie Hospital. Whether he’s having a chat, sharing his knowledge about birds and wildlife, or helping others learn about gardening, Seamus makes people feel welcome and valued.
Joint winner: Dr Rachael Gill, Mid North Coast Local Health District (pictured, above).
Dr Gill is a Senior Medical Officer at Macksville District Hospital. While managing complex and life-threatening situations, Dr Gill’s kindness shines through in her calm presence, unwavering attentiveness, and patient-centred care.
Secretary’s Award:
Raising the bar for patient, carer and family escalation
NSW Ministry of Health, eHealth NSW, Clinical Excellence Commission and Hunter New England Local Health District
The Raise It program empowers patients, families and carers across NSW with a simple way to raise their concerns if they are worried that they, or a loved one, are getting worse in hospital.
Environmental Sustainability Award:
Birdseye: A Clear View to Sustainable Pathology
NSW Health Pathology, Mid North Coast Local Health District and Agency for Clinical Innovation
Birdseye is a digital tool that helps clinicians review and improve pathology testing and ordering practices, supporting better patient care while reducing waste and improving environmental practices.
Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award: (pictured, main)
Community, Culture, Voice: Aboriginal Paediatric Partnership Model
South Western Sydney Local Health District
Redesigned in partnership with Aboriginal families and partners, the service provides connected, culturally responsive, trauma-informed care for Aboriginal children that supports their developmental, social, and emotional wellbeing needs.
Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award:
Refugee Health Honorary Medical Officer Clinic, Hunter New England Local Health District
The Refugee Health Honorary Medical Officer Clinic provides health assessments, treatment, and referrals for people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds during their first six months in Australia.
Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award:
Let’s Talk About Voices: an online toolkit supporting voice-hearers, Northern Sydney Local Health District
The Let’s Talk About Voices digital toolkit includes recovery-focused videos and worksheets that support people who hear voices and the clinicians who work with them.
Health Equity Award:
Stronger Together: Improving Access to ADHD Care Across NSW, NSW Ministry of Health
This program introduced new care pathways that enabled trained GPs to diagnose, prescribe, and manage ADHD treatment. This has improved access to care, and reduced reliance on specialist services.
Health Innovation Award:
Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Breast Cancer Screening, Cancer Institute NSW
BreastScreen NSW is the first population-based breast screening program in Australia to use Artificial Intelligence to support mammogram reviews, helping reduce radiologist workload, improve screening accuracy, and provide important breast density information to women.
Health Research Award:
RESHAP-ED, Sydney Local Health District
RESHAP-ED is an emergency department (ED) model that enables physiotherapists to assess and treat patients with musculoskeletal conditions. It helps to improve waiting times for these patients and reduce crowding in busy EDs while maintaining safe, effective care.
Keeping People Healthy Award:
Dancing Towards Healthy Ageing, Western NSW Local Health District
The program includes two community-based dance programs that support healthy ageing through physical activity, brain training, and social connection.
Patient Safety First Award:
Therapeutic Practice Strategy: minimising seclusion in Mental Health Inpatient Units, South Western Sydney Local Health District
The Therapeutic Practice Strategy is a district-wide approach to mental health inpatient care that reduces reliance on seclusion by creating more therapeutic environments and strengthening staff skills to safely prevent and de-escalate distress.
People and Culture Award:
The Journey: Building Culture and Capability for Safe, High-Quality Care, South Western Sydney Local Health District
The Journey is a district-wide program to build staff skills, consider wellbeing and strengthen safety culture by connecting existing safety and quality training, expert staff, communities of practice and structured development pathways.
Transforming Patient Experience Award:
ADHD Co-management – improving access and bringing care closer to home, Northern NSW Local Health District
This model builds on new GP prescribing arrangements by connecting GPs with the support and tools to provide more ADHD care locally, improving equitable and sustainable care for children aged 6 to 18 years.
Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson offered her congratulations to Northern Sydney Local Health District for winning the Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award for Let’s Talk About Voices, an innovative online toolkit co-designed by people with lived experience and clinicians.
“The quality of projects recognised in this category reflects the dedication of mental health professionals across NSW to delivering safe, compassionate and person-centred care,” she said.
“Every finalist should be proud of the difference they are making to the people, families and communities across our state.”
Minister for Medical Research, David Harris congratulated Sydney Local Health District for winning the Health Research Award for RESHAP-ED, which is helping reshape emergency department care through innovative physiotherapy-led treatment models.
“These awards highlight the outstanding work being undertaken by NSW researchers and clinicians, reinforcing our position as a global leader in health and medical research. It is a privilege to celebrate this incredible work and the people behind it,” he said.
NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce AM said the awards celebrate the extraordinary people across the state’s health system who are enriching health and improving people’s lives every day.
“From volunteers who provide comfort and support to patients and families, to clinicians, researchers, administrators and support staff, every finalist should be incredibly proud of their achievements,” she said.
“The calibre of nominations this year reflects the exceptional talent and dedication of our workforce, and I thank all nominees, finalists and winners for the difference they make every day.”
The full list of winners and finalists and their projects is available on the NSW Health website.
