Western NSW Local Health District's (WNSWLHD) dedicated staff have been recognised at its annual awards ceremony held at the Dubbo Rhino Lodge on Thursday 22 August.
The 2024 Awards were presented across 18 different team, project and individual categories, following the District's annual symposium which featured presentations from all the categories' finalists.
Mark Spittal, WNSWLHD Chief Executive, said the Awards provide an opportunity to recognise the hard work and outstanding success of teams, projects and health professionals across the region.
"Every year this event allows us to see and appreciate the amazing work our staff do right across our District. Importantly, it gives us an opportunity to come together to celebrate and recognise those achievements," Mr Spittal said.
"I look forward to seeing and hearing from our finalists at the Symposium every year, the passion they have for their projects, improvement and above all the communities they are engrained in is nothing short of inspiring."
This year, Awards were presented across 11 project categories including two new categories, the Health Research Award and the Excellence in the Provision of Multicultural Healthcare Award.
The People's Choice Award, voted on by attendees at the Symposium, the Chief Executive's Award, the Board's Choice Award and the Senior Leader of the Year were all decided on the day, while the Staff Member of the Year and Volunteer of the Year rounded out the presentation.
Registered Nurse Jasmin Jones, from Grenfell Multipurpose Service, and Acting Support Services Manager Tammy Jones, from Narromine Health Service, were announced as dual winners of the Staff Member of the Year Award.
Jasmin is an outstanding registered nurse who collaborates with the multidisciplinary team at Grenfell Multipurpose Service and across the Local Health District, particularly in leading the pressure injury prevention initiative, "Save Our Skin," in Grenfell.
Tammy has significantly improved patient care through her dedication and leadership, and her commitment to continuous improvement and excellence inspires everyone who works with her.
Elizabeth Allen, from Dubbo, was the Volunteer of the Year. Over the past 15 years, she has supported the governance teams at Dubbo and, among many other things, committed years to providing a community voice in the functional and schematic design of the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment.
Long-standing WNSWLHD Board Member Amanda O'Brien was also celebrated at the evening event, her final Awards presentation after serving for a decade on the District's Board with incredible commitment and passion.
Amanda presented the Board's Choice Award to First experience, lasting impression - Paediatric clothing pool Dubbo, before being acknowledged in a surprise presentation by Mr Spittal.
"I thoroughly congratulate all our winners and finalists, there were so many worthy projects that were submitted for consideration across the District. Our entire District is so proud of our staff's work and the care they provide," Mr Spittal said.
"We are truly grateful to have such dedicated healthcare professionals in western NSW, of whom our communities can be justifiably proud."
2024 WNSWLHD Award recipients:
- Staff Member of the Year Award: Jasmin Jones (Registered Nurse, Grenfell Multipurpose Service) and Tammy Jones (Support Services Manager, Narromine Health Service)
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Elizabeth Allen (Dubbo)
- Chief Executive's Award: Circular recycling program Orange
- Board's Choice Award: First experience, lasting impression - Paediatric clothing pool Dubbo
- People's Choice Award: Occupational Therapy in the Emergency Department
- Senior Leader of the Year: WNSWLHD Patient Safety Manager Jo Lemmich
- Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Rural Innovation Award: Public Health Analytics Dashboard
- Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award: Right time, Right place: Innovative collaboration to connect women from Western NSW to world-class cancer treatment
- Health Innovation Award: Scan - Reuse - Reduce
- Inspiring Teams Award: Mudgee Health Service, food service team
- Keeping People Healthy Award: Cervical screening during pregnancy Dubbo
- Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award: Turning in to kids
- Transforming Patient Experience Award: Oral health waiting list reform
- Patient Safety First Award: Changing the slippery slope of deteriorating patients
- People and Culture Award: Allied Health Rural Graduate Program
- Health Research Award: Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in regional NSW hospital
- Excellence in the Provision of Multicultural Healthcare Award: Arogya: Co-designing solutions to healthcare disparities in Dubbo's migrant community
- Environmental Sustainability Award: Excess PPE Management Success
More information, including profiles of all Award recipients and finalists, is available on the WNSWLHD website.
