Celebrating a career full of colour and care

Most profiles about health care staff who have worked for more than 40 years are retirement stories, but not for Monica Kenny.  

Her violet-hued hair is nearly as vibrant as her personality, with neither showing signs of fading.  

“We're here to get people better, get them home, or make their lives as well as possible while they're here,” Monica said.  

Monica Kenny is the physiotherapy department’s Clinical Teacher of the Year in 2025, and the longest serving physiotherapist at Westmead Hospital – recently surpassing 47 years of service.

The Acting Director of Allied Health at Westmead Hospital, Katherine Maka, says the award highlights great teaching which flows through to the whole department as well as patients.  

“Monica has made an extraordinary contribution to Westmead Hospital; her willingness to share her knowledge, expertise, support colleagues and foster a culture of learning has influenced generations of clinicians.  

The award is a fitting recognition of the profound and lasting impact she has had on our workforce, our department and ultimately the care we provide to our patients” Katherine said.

Monica Kenny still remembers the day she started working at Westmead Hospital: April 4, 1984.  

“I was meeting a physio that lived around the corner from me who said, ‘Oh, Monica, you really should become a physio, you'd be so suited to it’,” Monica said.  

Raising children at the same time as part-time work, Monica supplemented her partner’s income by working on Saturdays and Sundays.  

She says the physiotherapy team have the privilege to create real and lasting bonds with their patients, particularly with patients who attend regular appointments.

“Some of our patients are long term, like those with Cystic Fibrosis, who became almost like extended family to you,” Monica said.  

Over her four decades, she’s observed differences in how patients approach their treatment and who make the biggest gains.

“I’ve probably learned to listen more, to actually listen to what they're saying, whether it's with their body language or their words, and also just to pick up the little nuances about what's happening with themselves,” Monica said.

A recent shoulder injury has taken Monica away from her usual hands-on work with patients, but she’s still as passionate as ever about her work and says motivation is the key for patients.  

“You give them a reason for doing it, whether it's, you know, to get home to their dog or to be able to do something. There's always something, so you find something with that patient to bond with them about and to motivate them to get better quicker,” Moncia said.  

Thank you Monica, for your incredible 47 years of service… and counting!