Health staff in Far West LHD recognised for innovation and excellence

Award winners were chosen from peer nominations, including consumer nominations for staff and teams for excellence in service.

In total, 19 winners were announced across the categories, with many to represent Far West at the NSW Health Awards in their respective categories at a ceremony in Sydney later this year.

Among the winners was the District’s Oral Health Service, which won the Inspiring Team Award for the hard work that saw it become the state’s most improved public dental service following a redesign project.

• Far West LHD Health Innovation Project Winner – District Oral Health Service, Service Redesign. The award was accepted by  (left) Jo Condon (Lead Dental Assistant) and Karen Kennedy (Manager Oral Health Service). The Oral Health Team also won the Inspiring Team Award.

The team improved its performance and waitlists through its dedication and clinical leadership, while it also developed new approaches and strategies for waitlist management of its patients.

These changes resulted in the team performing 100 per cent of its services on time for the first time in its history in April 2025, while also reducing its wait lists by 46 per cent over the past 12 months.

In addition to the District’s Awards, the Agency for Clinical Innovation also presented its Rural Innovation Award, which was won by Brighter Beginnings Health and Development Checks program.

• ACI Rural Innovations Award Project Winner – Brighter Beginnings Health and Development Checks. The award was accepted by (from left) Ellen Niemiec (Speech Pathologist), Emma Cullen (Brighter Beginnings Project Officer) and Charmaine Lowrie (Occupational Therapist).

The Awards concluded with a presentation ceremony of Employee Recognition Awards for years of dedicated service, including staff who have served from 10 to 40 years.

The FWLHD 2025 Staff Recognition Excellence Individual and Team Award winners are:
• Far West Board Recognised Staff Member of the Year - Christopher McLoughlin
• Aboriginal Staff Excellence – Marilyn Williams
• Brilliance – Individual – Jessica Musgrove
• Brilliance – Team – Maternity Team BHHS
• Consumer Nominated - Staff Member – Tamara Thomas
• Consumer Nominated – Team – Social Work Department (Broken Hill)
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Allied Health and Integrated Community Services – Rebecca Deer

• Extraordinary Staff Member – Broken Hill Health Service (BHHS) Nursing and Midwifery – Elise Pascoe
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Cancer and Palliative Care Services – Shakierra Murray
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Chief Executive Unit – Nicholas Minns
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Executive Nursing and Midwifery/Clinical Governance – Aurelio Menzon
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Finance and Corporate Services – Brady Wauchope
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Mental Health Drug and Alcohol – Julieann Hall
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Remote Health Services – Rebecca Hatch
• Extraordinary Staff Member - Support Services BHHS/CHC – Jason Crowe
• Extraordinary Staff Member – Medical Administration and Doctors – Kristy McQueen
• Inspiring Team – District Oral Health Service
• Volunteer Superstar – Individual – Clementine Schultz
• Volunteer Superstar – Team – Broken Hill Kiosk Volunteers

• NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce (centre) attended and addressed the Health Awards ceremony and is pictured with Staff Recognition and Health Innovation Award winners, present on the day.