Southern celebrates achievement and innovation at 2023 Excellence Awards
Southern NSW Local Health District (LHD) held its annual Excellence Awards ceremony at Bay Pavilions in Batemans Bay today. Awards were presented to more than 160 individuals and teams across 20 categories.
Quality improvement and patient safety continue to be the focus of the Awards, with new categories also recognising achievements in innovation, collaboration and sustainability.
A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the inaugural Dr Allan Hawke AC Outstanding Leadership Award, honouring the legacy of SNSWLHD’s late Board Chair. Manager, Patient Flow, Waitlist, and Whole of Health Program, Matthew Stephenson, was named the first recipient of this special award.
Chief Executive Margaret Bennett said the high standard and diversity of nominees and award winners showcase the District’s commitment to providing excellence in care across all services and locations.
“More than 250 nominations were submitted from across a variety of health facilities, work areas and specialties, making the 2023 Excellence Awards more representative of our Southern workforce than ever before.”
“The Excellence Awards ceremony is an uplifting celebration of innovation and achievement. I extend my congratulations and thanks to all nominees and award winners, who work so diligently in service of our community.”
The 2023 Excellence Award Winners are listed below. Photos will be distributed post event.
2023 Individual Award Winners
| Winner | Award Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stephenson, Manager, Patient Flow, Waitlist, & Whole of Health Program | Dr Allan Hawke AC Award for Outstanding Leadership | District-wide (Matthew is based in Cooma) |
| Jenni Hudson, Mental Health School-Link Coordinator | Board Chair Award | District-wide (Jenni is based in Yass) |
| Donna Saddler, Nurse Unit Manager and Sam Mundi, Clinical Nurse Educator | Care and Kindness Award (Joint Winners) | Cooma Community Health Service and Queanbeyan Hospital |
| Dr Nathan Oates, Anaesthetist | Collaborative Staff Member of the Year | South East Regional Hospital, Bega |
| Meredith Fleming, Clinical Lead, Adult Community Mental Health | Patient Safety Award | Cooma Hospital and Health Service |
| Nicole Jorgensen, Aboriginal Mental Health Clinician | Emerging Leader Award | Goulburn |
| Emma Woolley, Media and Communications Officer | Closing the Gap Award | District-wide |
| Rochelle Woolf, Nurse Unit Manager, Operating Theatres and Rebekah O’Reilly, Deputy Director of Nursing | Elevate Award (Joint Winners) | Cooma Hospital and Health Service and Batemans Bay District Hospital |
2023 Team Award Winners
| Winner | Award Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Care Project | Chief Executive’s Award | District-wide |
| Rural Kids GPS — Paediatric Care Coordination | Transforming Patient Experience Award | District-wide |
| Eurobodalla Palliative Care Volunteers | Volunteer of the Year | Eurobodalla |
| Dental Unit Waterlines Project – Reducing Biofilm | Patient Safety First | District-wide |
| South East Regional Hospital (SERH) Mental Health Inpatient Unit | Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services | South East Regional Hospital, Bega |
| Respecting the Difference, Be the Difference | People and Culture Award | District-wide |
| Multicultural Healthy Eating Program | Keeping People Healthy | District-wide |
| Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP) – It’s What Matters, Not What is the Matter | Delivering Integrated Care Award | District-wide |
| Trusted Locals Encourage Screening | Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award | Goulburn, Queanbeyan, and Moruya |
| Antenatal Care Research Collaboration | Health Research and Digital Innovation Award | District-wide |
| Queanbeyan Hotel Services Food Waste Project | Environmental Sustainability Award | Queanbeyan |
| Golden Angels Spreading Their Wings | ACI Award for Rural Innovation | District-wide |