The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has announced the winners of its 2023 Nursing and Midwifery Awards, to help mark International Day of the Nurse celebrations.
The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is delighted to announce the winners of its 2023 Nursing and Midwifery Awards, including two new awards established this year, as part of International Day of the Nurse celebrations.
In addition to the Pauline Webster-Cox Award for New to Practice Nurse of the Year, Nurse of the Year and Team of the Year awards, the District's inaugural Nursing/Midwifery Leader of the Year and Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year awards were also announced.
Adrian Fahy, WNSWLHD Executive Director of Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing, announced the winners today, who were presented with their awards at local celebrations across the District, among guests and colleagues:
- Nurse of the Year: Rachel (Simone) Purtell (Registered Nurse, Narromine Health Service)
- Team of the Year: Walgett Multipurpose Service Nursing Team
- New to Practice Nurse of the Year: Garima Nepal (Graduate Registered Nurse, Coonabarabran Health Service)
- Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year: Lee-Ann Hurst (Clinical Nurse Specialist Ambulatory Care, Bathurst Hospital)
- Nursing/Midwifery Leader of the Year: Madelene McKenzie-Lindgren (Nurse Unit Manager Cardiac Catheter Laboratory, Dubbo Hospital)
"I'd like to sincerely congratulate all the winners of this year's awards, the five we have presented today and the Midwife of the Year which was announced last week. Our winners are never people who seek accolades, but they thoroughly deserve them," Mr Fahy said.
"Our nurses are the frontline across our health system. They, along with all our midwives, continued to do an incredible job providing first-class care to our communities through another challenging year.
"Their warmth, compassion and dedication continues to provide empathy and care in every patient interaction. The skills, leadership and communication our winners have demonstrated is testament to their talent and drive to continue developing."
Mr Fahy said the addition of the two new awards help to recognise the achievements of the entire nursing and midwifery workforce, and also aligns the District's awards with NSW Health's Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Healing Hearts Awards.
"Establishing our Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year and Nursing/Midwifery Leader of the Year awards ensures we are recognising the commitment and dedication of our nurses and midwives at every level of the workforce," Mr Fahy said.
"The Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding Aboriginal nurse or midwife who demonstrates exceptional commitment to providing quality, safe, compassionate and culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal people and communities, and is committed to improving care and advocating for better delivery of services to Aboriginal people and communities.
"The Nursing/Midwifery Leader of the Year Award is presented to a nurse or midwife who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the areas of clinical care, management, education or research.
"Our award winners also become the District's nominations for NSW Health's Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Healing Hearts Awards. Aligning our program ensures we give all of our staff the chance to be recognised across the health system too.
"I also want to congratulate all our finalists for this year's awards, and extend my thanks to each and every hard-working nurse and midwife across the District. Today's local celebrations are an important chance for us to show our gratitude."
Nominations for the 2023 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Healing Hearts Awards close on Friday, 23 June 2023. For more information visit the NSW Health website.
