Released 12/05/2017
The winners of this year’s ACT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards were last night congratulated by Minister for Health, Meegan Fitzharris.
The annual ACT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards ceremony was held at the Hellenic Club in Woden with more than 500 nurses and midwives in attendance.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all the 2017 award winners and nominees. Nurses and midwives make a such an important contribution to our community, and it’s important that we take this opportunity to acknowledge excellence and dedication,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“This year’s awards attracted a high calibre of nominations from private and public health care sectors and the carefully selected winners each epitomise the outstanding care and commitment provided by nursing and midwifery professionals every day.
“Nurse of the Year was awarded to James Slade, a haemophilia nurse working in Cancer, Ambulatory and Community Health Support at the Canberra Hospital. James’ approach to paediatric patients exemplifies his caring and empathetic work ethic.
“Midwife of the Year was awarded to Michelle Thinius, a midwife from Calvary Public Hospital Bruce. Michelle provides high level clinical expertise and gives her tireless support and professionalism to all midwifery and medical staff, as well as each woman and family alike.
“Michelle introduced a ‘Caring for each other as Midwives’ initiative, which is a holistic approach of caring for midwives at Calvary Hospital. This initiative ensures midwives have the clinical skills and peer-support to care for each woman in the service and it puts systems in place for midwives to seek help and emotional support when it is needed.
“Team of the Year was awarded to the Rapid Assessment Unit (RAU) Nursing Team in Cancer, Ambulatory and Community Health Support at Canberra Hospital. The nurses of the RAU are recognised for their care and professionalism in this unique service, which is the only service of its kind in Australia.”
In addition to the overall winners, the following recipients were recognised across five categories:
- Excellence in Clinical Practice: Therese Knight, Intensive Care Unit, Canberra Hospital;
- Excellence in Educational Practice: Intensive & Coronary Care Unit Education Team, Calvary Public Hospital Bruce;
- Excellence in Leadership Practice: Carmel Ronning, Ward 2N, Calvary Public Hospital Bruce;
- Excellence in Management Practice: Carolyn Thomas, Child & Youth Services Central Regional Team, Canberra Hospital; and
- Excellence in Quality Improvement or Research: Coronary Care Unit Nursing Team, Canberra Hospital.
There are more than 5,700 registered nurses, enrolled nurses and registered midwives in the ACT, making up the largest section of the health workforce.
The ACT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards have been held annually since 2004 and they are an important part of the week-long calendar of events arranged by ACT Health’s Nursing and Midwifery Office to formally celebrate International Day of the Midwife (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May).
For more information and winner profiles, visit: www.health.act.gov.au/professionals/nursing-and-midwifery/act-nursing-and-midwifery-excellence-awards.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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