The 12th annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards ceremony has been held in Sydney, celebrating some of the state’s most outstanding nurses and midwives.
The Awards event, which was held at Parliament House last night, recognises the incredible contributions nurses and midwives make to the health and wellbeing of people in NSW every day.
NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce AM said the Awards highlighted the remarkable professional achievements, compassion and dedication of NSW nurses and midwives.
“The opportunity to celebrate the excellence and achievements of NSW Health nurses and midwives, many of whom travelled long distances to attend the Awards in person, is a real highlight and I am so pleased for all the winners,” Ms Pearce said.
“I also want to thank all of our nurses and midwives across the state for the skill, professionalism, and heartfelt care they provide each and every day to the people of NSW.”
NSW Health Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Jacqui Cross said the nine award categories celebrate all of NSW Health’s nurses and midwives across the continuum of their career.
“I would like to say a special thank you to all of the consumers and colleagues who took the time to nominate someone who made a positive impact in their life, but also our judging panel, who had to pick winners from a very deserving field of nominees,” Ms Cross said.
“The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards represent a significant opportunity to take a moment to stop, reflect and recognise the commitment, compassion, innovation and exceptional care being provided to the people of NSW by our nurses and midwives.”
The winners in each of the nine categories are:
- Nurse of the Year: Holly Fuller, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals
Western Sydney Local Health District; - Midwife of the Year: Michelle Foster, Midwifery Manager, Hunter New England Local Health
District; - New to Practice Nurse/Midwife of the Year: Jarrod Morrow, Registered Nurse, John Hunter
Hospital, Hunter New England Local Health District; - Nursing/Midwifery Team of the Year: Moruya Maternity team, Southern NSW Local Health District;
- Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award: Sarah Melov, Clinical Midwife Consultant, Women’s Health Research, Western Sydney Local Health District;
- Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award: Sandy Eagar, Nurse Manager, South Western Sydney Local Health District;
- Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year: Kathleen Bohannon, Nurse Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District;
- Healing Heart Award (colleague nominated): Rachel Edwards, Nursing Unit Manager, Dubbo Health Service, Western NSW Local Health District;
- Healing Heart Award (consumer nominated): Salina Zafeiriou, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Prince of Wales Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.