Exceptional workforce and achievements celebrated at 2025 WNSWLHD Awards

The 2025 Awards were presented across 19 different team, project and individual categories, including one new Health Equity category following the District’s annual Symposium which featured presentations from all of the finalists in project-based categories.

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Mark Spittal said the Awards recognise the hard work and success of teams, projects and health professionals across the vast region of western NSW, supporting and promoting innovation in the provision of high-quality clinical care.

“This event provides a powerful reminder of the remarkable work being done across our District every single day. It’s not just a celebration, it’s also an important opportunity for us to recognise those achievements together," Mr Spittal said.

“I’m always excited to hear from our finalists at the Symposium. Their passion for innovation, drive to create meaningful change, deep connection to their communities, and their commitment to improvement will never cease to inspire me."

Dr Georgia Pace, an Intensive Care Unit Resident at Dubbo Hospital, was announced as the 2025 Staff Member of the Year, dedicating the award to the husband of a former patient in an emotional speech after Mr Spittal presented her with the trophy.

Dr Pace is a Dubbo local, who returned to the community in 2023 and has been making a tangible difference ever since, showing compassion, advocacy and cultural respect in everything she does. As the nomination submitted on behalf of Dr Pace said - "Georgia's care goes beyond the bedside".

From supporting grieving families to following up patients in remote areas, and hand-delivering food and care to carers of patients from remote areas who can sometimes be overwhelmed when they come to Dubbo, Dr Pace grounds her care in kindness, fairness and heart.

Working closely with nurses and allied health teams, as well as the many other teams across Dubbo Hospital, Dr Pace promotes teamwork and cultural safety in everything she does, as a skilled clinician but also a true role model for rural healthcare.

The 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award was shared between Fay Angel, from Dubbo, and Jacqui Rudge, from Bathurst. Fay plays a key role in maintaining the beautiful gardens at the Western Cancer Centre, while Jacqui has played a vital role as a consumer and care representative across the region for more than half a decade.

A further 16 individuals, teams or projects were celebrated across the remaining 17 Award categories, with the ADHD and Behaviour Management Service also celebrate as a dual recipient. The program was awarded both the new Health Equity Award, and the ACI Rural Innovation Award.

“The breadth and quality of projects, teams and people submitted for consideration this year speaks volumes of the dedication and talent across our services, and I wholeheartedly congratulate all of them, our finalists and our recipients," Mr Spittal said.

“Our entire District is so proud of our staff’s work and the care they provide, and we are incredibly fortunate to have the workforce we do across all of our communities.”

2025 Western NSW Local Health District Award recipients:

• Staff Member of the Year:Dr Georgia Pace (Intensive Care Resident, Dubbo Hospital)
• Volunteer of the Year: Fay Angel (Dubbo, Western Cancer Centre); and Jacqui Rudge (western NSW, Consumer and Carer Representative)
• Chief Executive Award: The Quiet Zone - Modifying the Medical Ward to Improve Patient Experience
• Board Award: Sustaining Small Rural Communities (4Ts) for Holistic Patient Healthcare Delivery
• People’s Choice Award: The Clothing Connection - Bathurst Health Service
• Senior Leader of the Year:Amy Wells – Redevelopment Project Director, Bathurst Health Service
• ACI Rural Innovation Award: ADHD and Behaviour Management Service - Enhancing Rural Child Health Equity
• Inspiring Team Award: Orange Health Service Women’s and Infants Unit
• Environmental Sustainability Award: Greenify Medical Imaging Project
• Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award: Supporting Aboriginal Health Practitioners to Vaccinate Mob
• Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award: Protecting our Multicultural Communities from the Flu
• Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Award: Keeping Up Aperients - Proactive Approach to Clozapine-Induced Constipation
• Health Equity Award: ADHD and Behaviour Management Service - Enhancing Rural Child Health Equity
• Health Innovation Award:Dubbo Health Service Outpatient Hysteroscopy Clinic; and Innovations and Adaptability to Establish Regional PET-CT Scanning
• Health Research Award: Help Make Virtual Care Better for People with Intellectual Disability; and Ultrasound Mapping in Heated Environments Improves Arteriovenous Fistula Creation Outcomes
• Keeping People Healthy Award: Virtual Early Talking Group
• Patient Safety First Award: Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting
• People and Culture Award: Rejuvenation of the NSW X-Ray Operator Program
• Transforming Patient Experience Award: Community Partnerships - How Meaningful Engagement is Transforming Patient Experience

More information, including profiles of all Award recipients and finalists, is available on the WNSWLHD website.