Three of Southern’s staff, along with an innovative multidisciplinary partnership from the Bega Valley were honoured in the inaugural National Rural and Remote Health Awards at Parliament House in Canberra in November, as part of Rural Health Month.
Acting Manager of Aged Care and Disability Programs Janice Dalton took away the Rural/Remote Aged and Disability Carer of the Year Award.
Janice manages a diverse portfolio of programs. Notably, Janice played a pivotal role in the success of the recent Transitional Aged Care Program redesign project. This initiative, aimed at assisting individuals in hospital to return home and stay there for as long as possible, resulted in a substantial reduction in hospital readmissions and an increased reported ability by consumers to enjoy their lives.
General Practitioner Dr Corin Miller received the Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year Award for her outstanding contributions to transforming outpatient paediatric care in Eden.
The broader Djing.gii Gudjaagalali Kids Clinic partnership team were also finalists in the awards, including Southern’s Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse Coordinator Nicole Bax, Merimbula psychologist Terra Harrison, Eden Marine High School Principal Viv Chelin and Student Support Officers Michele Polach and Anna McAmish.
Southern’s Manager Aboriginal Workforce and Development Shirlena Gallagher was Finalist in the competitive Rural/Remote Health Advocate of the Year, for her work improving cultural safety for Aboriginal people in Southern.
Jeremy Mitchell, Group Manager of Rural Health Pro, the organiser of the awards, said “We were inspired with the high calibre of nominations and congratulate all nominees and finalists. I wish we could give all 200 nominees awards. It highlights that there are so many good news stories in rural and remote health that need to be celebrated.”