Nurse, Midwife and Team of the Year Awards

About this award

These awards recognise midwives at different stages of their careers who exemplify excellence in practice. From those with established experience to those beginning their professional journey, each recipient demonstrates a strong commitment to providing safe, compassionate, and woman-centred care, while upholding the core values of the midwifery profession.

Finalists

Grace Osborne, Dubbo Health Service Maternity Unit

Grace Osborne is known for her warm, calm presence and her genuine ability to connect with women in a way that makes them feel safe, heard and empowered in their care. She brings a strong sense of purpose to her work, always looking for ways to improve outcomes for women, particularly in rural settings, through initiatives like cervical screening programs, smoking cessation support and staff wellbeing activities. Grace reflects deeply on her practice, recognising how even small moments can have a lasting impact on a woman’s experience. Her enthusiasm, compassion and commitment to growth make her a valued colleague and a deserving nominee.

Sarah Cruickshank, Community and AMIHS Midwife, Gilgandra - Recipient

Sarah Cruickshank is a dedicated and highly respected midwife who goes above and beyond for the women and families in her community. As the sole community midwife in her district, she has rebuilt and strengthened local services while continuing to provide personalised, supportive care to each family she works with. Sarah has a natural ability to build trust and adapt her care to suit individual needs, particularly supporting young and first-time mothers to feel confident and capable. Her knowledge, leadership and genuine care for her community make her an invaluable part of the team.

Jessica Mulholland, Bathurst Health Service Maternity Unit

Jessica Mulholland is a strong and compassionate leader who consistently supports both her patients and her colleagues. She is known for her calm and reassuring approach, particularly in high-pressure situations, where she ensures women feel informed, supported and central to decision-making. Jess is always willing to step in and help wherever needed, while also mentoring and encouraging those around her to grow in confidence and skill. Her commitment to patient care, teamwork and staff wellbeing makes her a highly respected member of the organisation.

Erin Bennett, Cowra Maternity Unit - Recipient

Erin Bennett has made an impressive impact in her first year as a midwife, showing both skill and genuine compassion in everything she does. She builds strong, trusting relationships with the women she cares for, often going the extra mile to provide continuity and support during important moments like birth. Erin brings a positive attitude, strong attention to detail and a real sense of empathy to her work, even in a busy and sometimes challenging environment. She is a valued member of the team and a wonderful example of a midwife at the beginning of her career.

About this award

This award recognises a nurse who has made an outstanding contribution to safe, high-quality, and compassionate patient care. It celebrates nurses who consistently demonstrate commitment, resilience, professionalism, collaboration, and a strong dedication to improving patient and family outcomes.

Finalists

Ann Humphrey, Dunedoo Multipurpose Service, Community Health - Recipient

Ann Humphrey is an exceptional nurse with over 20 years of experience, known for her unwavering compassion, advocacy, and dedication to elderly patients in the community. She consistently goes above and beyond her clinical role, ensuring patients feel safe and supported, including personally assisting with transitions of care during distressing situations. Ann is deeply trusted by patients and families, often providing care and reassurance even outside of work hours, reflecting her genuine commitment to their wellbeing. Her kindness, professionalism, and positive influence on both patients and colleagues make her a truly outstanding nurse.

Christine Holmes, Wellington Health Service

Christine Holmes is a highly respected Enrolled Nurse with over 20 years of experience, recognised for her exceptional compassion and clinical expertise in dialysis and acute care. She provides deeply empathetic, patient-centred care, consistently supporting patients through complex and emotional health journeys with dignity and understanding. Christine is also a dedicated mentor, generously sharing her knowledge and guiding junior staff to strengthen clinical practice and confidence. Her calm presence, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to her patients make her an invaluable member of the team.

Kimberley Morse (Kim), Dubbo Hospital, Medical Ward

Kim Morse is a compassionate and dedicated Enrolled Nurse who consistently delivers patient-centred care guided by empathy, integrity, and professionalism. She is known for her calm, resilient approach in busy clinical environments and her ability to support some of the most vulnerable patients, particularly those experiencing delirium or dementia. Kim demonstrates informal leadership through initiatives like “Project PJ,” which enhances patient dignity and independence while improving ward culture. Her strong teamwork, initiative, and genuine passion for improving patient outcomes make her an exceptional nurse and role model.

About this award

This award recognises nursing graduates who have demonstrated exceptional potential and commitment during their first year of practice. It celebrates emerging nurses who provide safe, compassionate, and patient-centred care while growing in confidence, capability, and professionalism.

Finalists

Pemdiki Sherpa, Condobolin Health Service, Tullamore Multipurpose Service

Pemdiki Sherpa is an exceptional new graduate nurse who has shown remarkable growth, maturity, and clinical insight across two diverse rural clinical settings. She consistently delivers compassionate, culturally safe, and patient-centred care, demonstrating strong communication and critical thinking skills well beyond her level of experience. Pemdiki is highly regarded by colleagues and senior clinicians alike for her professionalism, curiosity, and ability to recognise and escalate patient needs effectively. Her dedication, empathy, and commitment to continuous learning make her a standout emerging nurse in rural health.

Ayushi Ayushi, Community Mental Health, Dubbo - Recipient

Ayushi is a highly capable and compassionate new graduate nurse who has quickly become a valued member of the community mental health team. She consistently demonstrates strong therapeutic communication, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to supporting consumers through complex and often challenging mental health presentations. Ayushi is proactive in her learning, receptive to feedback, and works collaboratively to ensure safe, high-quality, and coordinated care. Her positive attitude, reliability, and growing clinical confidence make her an outstanding emerging mental health nurse.

Mollie Cheek, Orange Health Service, Intensive Care Unit

Mollie Cheek is an exceptional graduate nurse who consistently delivers safe, compassionate, and patient-centred care with professionalism and maturity beyond her experience. She builds strong rapport with patients and families while maintaining a calm, respectful, and attentive approach in all clinical interactions. Mollie is committed to ongoing learning, actively seeking feedback and opportunities to strengthen her clinical knowledge and skills. Her teamwork, accountability, and dedication to high-quality care make her a highly deserving emerging nurse.

About this award

This award recognises an outstanding Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander nurse or midwife who demonstrates excellence in culturally safe, compassionate, and high-quality care. It celebrates those who strengthen the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities through leadership and practice.

Finalists

Grace Single, Orange Health Service, Emergency Department - Recipient

Grace Single is an exceptional Aboriginal nurse whose practice in the Emergency Department is defined by clinical excellence, cultural leadership, and deep compassion. She is a trusted advocate for culturally safe care, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients feel seen, respected, and supported, even in the most high-pressure situations. Grace’s calm, culturally informed approach transforms patient experiences and strengthens team confidence, as seen in her ability to restore trust and enable critical care for vulnerable patients. Beyond the bedside, she is a quiet but powerful leader who champions equity, mentors others, and inspires lasting change across the health system.

Sharon McIntyre, MHDA Nursing Administration, Bloomfield Hospital

Sharon McIntyre is a proud Wongiabon woman and an inspiring nursing leader whose work is grounded in compassion, cultural safety, and advocacy. As Director of Nursing for Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, she brings over 20 years of experience and uses her lived experience to shape more inclusive, person-centred systems of care. Sharon is a strong advocate for culturally appropriate practices, empowering her teams to honour identity, connection, and community in every aspect of care. Her leadership has a profound impact on both patients and staff, exemplifying resilience, integrity, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

About this award

This award recognises a nurse or midwife who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the areas of clinical care, management, education or research.

Finalists

Sheirah Brilley, The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Bathurst Region (Bathurst, Mudgee, Cowra) - Recipient

Sheirah Brilley is an outstanding clinical leader dedicated to improving outcomes for young people experiencing complex mental health challenges. With over 15 years of experience, she combines advanced clinical expertise with compassion, supporting both families and clinicians through some of the most demanding aspects of care, including eating disorder treatment and crisis situations. Sheirah is a trusted and approachable mentor who builds capability across teams, strengthening confidence and delivering consistent, evidence-based care throughout the region. Her leadership has a lasting impact on young people, their families, and the clinicians she supports.

Caitlyn Jackson, Specialist Palliative Care Service

Caitlyn Jackson is a respected nursing leader in specialist palliative care, known for her calm, thoughtful approach and strong commitment to patient-centred care. With more than a decade of experience, she has driven meaningful improvements through the development of education frameworks, orientation programs, and standardised clinical processes across multiple sites. Caitlyn leads with collaboration and purpose, building team confidence and strengthening service delivery through evidence-based practice and mentorship. Her work has enhanced both patient outcomes and the capability of the palliative care workforce.

Jane Corbett-Jones, Bathurst Health Service, Centre for Educational Excellence

Jane Corbett-Jones is an exceptional leader in nursing education whose work has transformed clinical capability and patient safety at Bathurst Health Service. As Learning and Education Manager, she has established a sustainable, multidisciplinary simulation program that strengthens teamwork, communication, and preparedness for high-risk clinical events. Jane leads with clarity and purpose, translating strategic vision into practical, measurable improvements that directly enhance patient care. Her commitment to collaboration, innovation, and staff development continues to build a confident, capable workforce and safer outcomes for the community.

About this award

This award recognises an outstanding nurse or midwife who has made a sustained and meaningful impact throughout their career. It celebrates leaders who have influenced patients, strengthened health systems, and made a lasting contribution to their profession.

Finalists

Kathy Seward, Public Health Unit - Recipient

Kathy Seward has dedicated 46 years to nursing, making a profound impact across rural and remote communities through her clinical expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to patient-centred care. As a Nurse Practitioner in Communicable Diseases, she combines advanced knowledge with a passion for improving equitable access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations. Kathy is widely respected for her compassion, professionalism, and generosity in mentoring others, fostering strong teams and better outcomes for patients. Her enduring passion, commitment to lifelong learning, and willingness to share knowledge continue to shape the profession and inspire those around her.

Catherine (Cath) Poschich, Bathurst Health Service, Surgical Ward

Catherine Poschich is a highly respected nursing leader whose career spans more than 30 years, including over two decades in management, where she has consistently championed patient-centred care and staff development. She is known for her calm, approachable leadership style and her strong commitment to building confident, capable teams through mentorship and support. Cath leads by example, fostering a culture grounded in safety, professionalism, and compassion, ensuring high-quality care for patients and families. Her lasting influence is reflected in the many nurses she has guided and the positive, supportive environments she continues to create.

Pauline Moorhouse, Dubbo Health Service, Stroke Unit

Pauline Moorhouse is an exceptional nurse leader whose transformative work in stroke care has significantly improved patient outcomes and service delivery. As Stroke Coordinator, she leads with clinical expertise, compassion, and a relentless focus on ensuring timely, high-quality, person-centred care for every patient. Pauline fosters a collaborative and inclusive team culture, empowering staff while driving consistency and excellence across the care pathway. Her integrity, energy, and unwavering dedication continue to elevate both patient care and the broader health service.

About this award

This award recognises Nursing and Midwifery teams who work together with excellence to deliver safe, high-quality, and compassionate care. It celebrates teams whose collaboration, kindness, resilience, and professionalism strengthen services and support both patients and each other across diverse and often challenging environments.

Finalists

Castlereagh Rural Locality Network (Coonamble, Gilgandra, Gulargambone)

The Castlereagh Rural Locality Network demonstrates outstanding collaboration across three rural sites, working seamlessly to strengthen service delivery and support workforce sustainability. Through shared staffing, coordinated resource management, and open communication, the team ensures continuity of safe, high-quality care despite rural workforce challenges. Their innovative approach to sharing consumables and reducing waste reflects strong stewardship and practical problem-solving. Above all, their commitment to supporting one another reduces isolation and strengthens both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes across the region.

Dubbo Health Service Cardiovascular Unit (Cath Lab Team)

The Dubbo Cardiovascular Unit nursing team is a highly skilled, cohesive, and resilient group delivering advanced interventional cardiac and vascular care to rural and remote communities. Despite a fast-paced, high-risk environment, they consistently provide calm, expert, and compassionate care, ensuring patients and families feel informed and supported. The team demonstrates exceptional adaptability through cross-trained roles, enabling safe and efficient responses to both routine and emergency cases. Their commitment to innovation, collaboration, and equitable access to care has significantly strengthened cardiovascular services across Western NSW.

Mental Health Intensive Care Unit (Bloomfield Hospital) - Recipient

The Mental Health Intensive Care Unit team delivers exceptional care to some of the most acutely unwell consumers, combining advanced clinical expertise with deep compassion and trauma-informed practice. In a highly complex and high-pressure environment, they consistently prioritise dignity, therapeutic engagement, and least-restrictive care while maintaining safety and professionalism. The team demonstrates strong cohesion and psychological safety, supporting one another through reflective practice, debriefing, and shared resilience. Their ability to transform crisis presentations into therapeutic recovery experiences reflects truly outstanding teamwork and commitment to person-centred mental health care.

Laurie Aitchison  - Recipient

Laurie Aitchison is an exceptionally skilled and proactive Nurse Practitioner who has made a significant and sustained impact on respiratory services across Bathurst and the wider community. He has led the development of innovative models of care, including NP-led COPD clinics, Non-Invasive Ventilation pathways, and expanded home-based respiratory services, all of which have improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital admissions. Laurie is a strong advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration and system improvement, contributing to strategic service planning, guideline development, and workforce capacity building. His professionalism, clinical leadership, and commitment to patient-centred care have been instrumental in strengthening respiratory services across the district.