2025 winners of prestigious Don Kendell Award for Leadership

The Awards, presented at this week’s MLHD Annual Public Meeting, recognise individuals who exemplify the leadership qualities that aviation pioneer Don Kendell himself embodied throughout his life—commitment, achievement, and a pioneering spirit.

“We need these people in healthcare to drive us forward, inspire us and care for patients in ways not been seen before,” Jill Ludford, Chief Executive of the MLHD said.

“We are so proud of the remarkable commitment and unwavering passion our winners and finalists have shown to improving healthcare for the people in our communities we serve.”

The joint winners and finalists of the 2025 Don Kendell Memorial Award for Leadership are:

Joint winners

• Michelle Hutchison, Drug and Alcohol Clinical Leader, Griffith Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service
• Dr Elmien Bruce, Clinical Director, Ambulatory Care, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital

Highly commended

• Evelyn Shea, LHD Strategic Revenue Manager, Finance and Performance, MLHD
• Margaret Hargraves, Senior Speech Pathologist, Cootamundra Hospital
• Jessica van den Clarke, Manager, Griffith Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service

The Award is named in memory of Don Kendell, a leader in aviation whose dedication to the healthcare sector, service to the community, and ability to inspire those around him have left an indelible mark on MLHD. The 2025 winners and finalists have been chosen for their exceptional contributions to MLHD and their unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, teamwork, and a culture of excellence.

The 2025 MLHD Annual Public Meeting can be viewed via www.streamingguys.com.au/production/mlhd-2025/.

ENDS

Background:

Michelle Hutchison

Michelle has made a profound and lasting impact on the field of addiction treatment through her commitment and compassionate, culturally safe and person-centred care. Her leadership has resulted in transformative changes in service delivery, including wait times, increased engagement and testing rates, improved treatment completion and a stronger connection with Aboriginal consumers.

She advocates tirelessly for new services and equitable access, especially for hard-to-reach and marginalised communities and Michelle’s clients feel supported, safe and respected.

Michelle is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Ngemba Nation.

Dr Elmien Bruce

Dr Bruce has shown outstanding leadership and innovation in regards to the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Rapid Access Clinic (RAC), transforming ideas into practical solutions that have a meaningful outcome for patients accessing the RAC.

Building collaborative networks, improving patient experience and outcomes and inspiring others to continuously improve by openly sharing knowledge and laying foundations for the team to build upon for lasting impact.

Dr Bruce has created an environment where others feel empowered to reach their full potential. Through mentorship, supervision and encouragement she has inspired colleagues to develop new skills and confidence to transform their ambitions into achievements.