Assistant Manager of Engineering – Bacchus Marsh and Melton
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Aaron’s nominator had the following to say:
“Aaron is accountable and very attentive to all requests for assistance. He regularly checks in to see how things are going and seeks feedback on work provided. Aaron is at all times respectful to all staff and the facility; he is engaging and actively listens to any concerns. Safety is at the forefront of all engagement for Aaron. He seeks to ensure any planned work factors in the impact to both patients and staff.”
Clinical Nurse Instructor – Sunshine Emergency Department
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Abraham’s nominator had the following to say:
“Where do I begin?! Abraham is without a doubt our fallen angel in our busy ED. He is not only clinically intelligent but also extremely compassionate. Abraham’s friendly, kind and approachable nature makes him one of the favourites in ED. He is always supportive of staff (both new and old) and is there to lend a hand when needed. He is the true epitome of a Western Health employee and encapsulates all the values. He goes above and beyond for everyone. He is truly an inspiration and leads an excellent example as a positive role model. I can confidently say on behalf of all of ED, it is an honor to work beside him. Thank you, Abe, for all that you do. We appreciate you.”
Administration Manager and Personal Assistant – Women’s and Children’s Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Amanda’s nominator had the following to say:
“Amanda is always so quick with her responses and always extremely helpful. She is excellent at her job, her support of clinical staff is of a really high standard, and she helps me navigate the often-challenging area of payroll and administration. Amanda improves my experience working at Western Health with her prompt, cheerful, and helpful replies to queries. She should be recognised for her contribution to Western Health as she is a huge asset to the O & G department and division.”
Advanced Practice Paediatric Orthopaedic Physiotherapist – Paediatric Specialist Clinic
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Amelia’s nominator had the following to say about her:
“Amelia has been instrumental in reestablishing the paediatric advanced practice physiotherapy outpatient clinics at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s. In 2022, a serious staffing and skill shortage resulted in the paediatric advanced practice physiotherapy outpatient clinics being closed between March and September. These clinics care for children and infants with developmental hip dysplasia, structural talipes, and other paediatric orthopaedic conditions such as knock knees and toe walking. During this period, all referrals needed to be forwarded to other services, such as the Royal Children’s Hospital, which resulted in families needing to travel significant distances for services, sometimes on a weekly basis. Amelia worked hard to gain credentialing in this area, which involved working alongside the orthopaedic medical team at JKWC and accessing mentoring and support via Royal Children’s Hospital. Amelia has advocated strongly to reinstate these clinics and improve on previous models to ensure excellence in patient care. She has successfully advocated for more collaborative models, where Physiotherapy and orthotics are able to run concurrent clinics to better meet the needs of children with structural talipes requiring foot bracing and developmental hip dysplasia patients requiring hip bracing (rather than patients needing to attend the hospital on two separate days to access these services individually). Amelia models compassion and accountability – always seeking to reflect on and improve practice, communication, and teamwork. Amelia actively reviews and monitors data for these clinics to look at trends and opportunities for further improvement. She is an EMR superuser and member of the Data Committee. She is a key support for the wider Paediatric Physiotherapy team in completing accurate and timely data collection and transitioning to the EMR 2.1 rollout. Amelia is a valued and respected team member who inspires others to perform at their best. She provides exceptional patient-centred care with a focus on safe, evidence-based, and inclusive practice.”
Clinical Nurse Consultant – (Cancer Services) Symptom Urgent Review Clinic
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Amy’s nominator had the following to say:
“Amy actively listens to the concerns and needs of cancer patients, working collaboratively with them to create individualised treatment plans. She considers their disease’s physical, emotional, and social aspects to provide comprehensive care. Amy demonstrates sensitivity and understanding towards patients’ experiences and takes time to ensure they feel supported throughout their cancer journey. She also strives for continuous professional development by providing the latest evidence-based cancer treatment and care.”
Care Coordinator – Community Care Coordination, Western@Home
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Andrea’s nominator had the following to say:
“Andrea embraced the roll-out of EMR 2.1 and supported all services within the Western@Home hub as a Super-user. Further, during the roll-out phase, Andrea became the primary contact for other Super-users within the Western@Home hub and the broader Chronic and Complex Care teams. Staff within these teams have been kept up-to-date and felt well supported during this significant process change. Andrea has gone above and beyond with their Super-user role with her compassion and positive “can-do” attitude.”
Nurse Unit Manager – SGC/DMU Ward
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Andrea’s nominator had the following to say:
“Andrea understands that patients who enter the sub-acute area often have an extended length of stay within the acute sector. She understands the pressure that is placed not only on the consumer but also on their families and carers. Andrea ensures that families are provided with support, visitor exemptions, and an inclusive and welcoming environment where they are encouraged to drive the plan of care. She strives to ensure that patients and families are given a voice and that consumers are treated with respect, dignity and a person-centered approach. Andrea has developed systems, supports, and education to up-skill staff to be competent and confident to provide care to patients with more clinical requirements than historically seen within the subacute cohort. She is driven to ensure staff and patients are safe, that the environment is safe, and that a safety-first approach underpins every decision made. She has provided professional development opportunities for staff, promoted from within, and supported senior staff to become educators, coaches, and mentors. She provides a supportive learning and working environment for early career nurses, ensuring that SGC is a positive place to learn and work. She understands that by supporting staff, she promotes ‘Best Care’ provision to patients.”
Senior Perioperative Pharmacist – Footscray Pharmacy
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Andrew’s nominator had the following to say:
“Over an extended period of pharmacy workforce challenges, Andrew has stood up as a compassionate and highly effective leader for the pharmacy team. Andrew was critical to ensuring that Western Health effectively managed many stock shortages, and on many occasions was able to prevent surgical lists from being delayed or cancelled. Andrew also led the pharmaceutical waste management project and multiple proactive approaches to ensuring the safe use of high-risk medications across WH theatres. Andrew also showed his leadership excellence in his role as the Acting Deputy Director of Pharmacy, where he ensured that the pharmacy team was supported professionally and personally. Andrew picked up long-term projects on short notice and was able to continue to deliver high-quality and patient-centred care.”
Hospital in the Home Liaison
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Aneta’s nominator had the following to say:
“Aneta has been representing the West from the beginning of her nursing career (20+ years). She loves what she does and always thrives to do more. Aneta is a compassionate, resilient, and dedicated individual who has never stopped growing as a nurse. She prides herself in delivering patient-centered care, is an excellent patient advocate, and always wants to learn and do more for her patients. She has never stopped growing as a registered nurse, always challenging herself by fulfilling higher duties when there is an opportunity and taking advantage of ongoing learning and development opportunities. Aneta always has a positive attitude towards her job and will go over and beyond to ensure the best care possible is provided to our community. I see the love and passion she has. She is very proud to be a nurse. Everyone deserves recognition for their role at Western Health; however, Aneta’s diligence and ongoing compassion are astounding. I look up to her for this. She is my role model and inspires me daily to improve, do better, and thrive for more.”
Registered Nurse – Sunshine Dialysis Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient had the following to say:
“Anita showed compassion towards me as I was very stressed about my health concern. She was fast and efficient with testing my samples, proficient in obtaining my symptoms, explained what was happening, and understood my concerns and worries. Anita settled me down so much with her excellent bedside manner that I felt so much better. My blood pressure decreased somewhat, thanks to Anita’s reassuring manner. I heard Anita training one of the other Nurses. She was efficient in her explanation and always pointed out to the junior nurse that the patient’s comfort was paramount. I have never felt so comfortable with my emergency visits.”
Food Services Assistant – Footscray Food Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Anne’s nominator had the following to say:
“Anne is a very reliable member of the Food Service team who leads by example, has a caring nature, and is always willing to help others. Anne is a gentle, softly spoken person who shows great compassion while delivering meals to patients. She greets them warmly and is always willing to help them in any way that she can. She demonstrates excellence through the quality of her work and always ensures her job is done on time. Working in a multicultural workforce, she always speaks with fellow workmates in a respectful manner and is well-liked and respected by all. Anne cares about her colleagues and always ensures the workplace is safe for all.”
Allied Health Assistant – Aquatic Therapy, Community Based Rehabilitation
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Avetta’s nominator had the following to say:
“Avetta has demonstrated EXCELLENCE by developing the new Grade 3 Aquatic Allied Health Assistant role to be multifaceted and fully embracing the Western Health core values. She addresses SAFETY daily in handling pool chemicals and considering water quality, staff training (pool rescue), and working with patients. She ensures the environment is safe and anticipates potential concern areas, showing her ACCOUNTABILITY and thorough knowledge of standards of care and service. Avetta is RESPECTFUL in her communication with staff and patients and appreciates the complexity and cultural diversities of all. This is seen as she leads a large team of Allied Health Assistants and overseas vast administrative tasks that require her to engage with many staff and patients. Avetta is a valued member of the Aquatic team and has had an immense impact in this new role. Avetta has demonstrated EXCELLENCE by developing the new Grade 3 Aquatic Allied Health Assistant role to be multifaceted and fully embracing the Western Health core values. She addresses SAFETY daily in handling pool chemicals and considering water quality, staff training (pool rescue), and working with patients. She ensures the environment is safe and anticipates potential concern areas, showing her ACCOUNTABILITY and thorough knowledge of standards of care and service. Avetta is RESPECTFUL in her communication with staff and patients and appreciates the complexity and cultural diversities of all. This is seen as she leads a large team of Allied Health Assistants and overseas vast administrative tasks that require her to engage with many staff and patients. Avetta is a valued member of the Aquatic team and has had an immense impact in this new role. ”
Midwife – Midwifery Group Practice
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Nomination 1 – A patient had the following to say about Beth:
“Beth was our light during my birth. Not only did she educate me every step of the way, but she also advocated for me. Beth genuinely cared about me and my partner. She respected every choice I made for my body and baby and advocated these choices to everyone in the room when I couldn’t do it myself. Both my partner and I felt cared for by her. It felt like she was right there with us, experiencing it all but having the strength to hold it together. She knew the birth was the opposite of what I wanted but did everything she could to do the little things I had asked for.”
Nomination 2:
“Beth is an integral member of our Midwifery Group Practice Program in Maternity Services at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s. Beth ensures the provision of high-quality care aligned with Western Health’s Best Care Framework and values. Beth prioritises the provision of midwifery care to many vulnerable women/birthing and their families during pregnancy, labour and birth, and the early parenting period. She is an incredibly compassionate and empathetic midwife. Her greatest strengths include her ability to communicate, build therapeutic relationships, advocate within collaborative care, and provide culturally safe care. Other professional attributes in Beth’s possession include humility, reliability, motivation, self-awareness, adaptability, and problem-solving. Beth fosters an environment of kindness, inclusiveness, and trust through role modelling good professional behaviour and CARES values, effective communication, commitment to teamwork, provision of collegial support to the multidisciplinary team, preceptorship of midwifery students, and continuously striving to achieve optimal birthing outcomes whilst creating exceptional experiences for women, birthing people and their families of the West.”
Physiotherapist – Adult & Paediatric Virtual Fracture Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Bhavna’s nominator had the following to say:
“Bhavna is an indispensable member of the Physiotherapy Department. She performs her role with the highest level of excellence. She is extremely proactive in monitoring and improving the well-being of staff in her team (accountability). She is always professional and respectful in her interactions with her colleagues and patients and is also always available to lend a hand or listening ear to anyone who needs it despite her own busy schedule (compassion). She is truly an exemplary leader who leads by example and strives to create positive change.”
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Ward 1A
Bree’s nominator had the following to say:
“Bree’s natural disposition is of beneficence, and her passion for providing quality nursing is evident with her advanced knowledge and skillset. Bree respects all but is also highly respected by many around her, and the professionalism that she demonstrates every shift makes me proud to work alongside her. Everything about Bree’s approach to work and life fosters a positive workplace, and Western Health should be proud to have such a good employee in their midst. “
Occupational Therapist – Sunshine Hospital Acute Wards
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Brooke’s nominator had the following to say:
“Brooke is an integral member of our acute Occupational Therapy (OT) department, fostering a positive workplace through her approachable and kind manner. She demonstrates excellence in multiple team environments, helping others learn and understand the OT role. Brooke demonstrates compassion towards her colleagues as well as patients, taking the time to understand them as occupational beings. She regularly organises social events to build inclusion and positive team morale and is always looking out for others. Brooke inspires those around her to be the best they can be.”
Occupational Therapist – Community Based Rehabilitation
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Caitlin’s nominator had the following to say:
“Caitlin is amazing. She demonstrates real compassion for our clients and their tricky situations and finds ways to help them improve or access support, services, or resources that will make a tangible difference. Caitlin works as if nothing is too much trouble for her and offers to help with things as if she has all the time in the world, which I know she doesn’t. She is very accountable, follows up on things conscientiously, and keeps on going until an issue is resolved. Her excellence is reflected in her outcomes with clients. She also seeks the support that will enable her to do the work she needs to do better, more efficiently, and effectively. Caitlin is a lovely person; the clients really appreciate her, and I enjoy her company too. Talking to Caitlin can really make my day. Thanks for living the WH values and fostering a positive workplace. ”
Rostering Radiographer – Radiology
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Carly’s nominator had the following to say:
“Rostering for the entire Radiology department is no easy task, and Carly does this alone. She has done this for many years now, but it was particularly difficult during the pandemic, plucking people from thin air to make rostering work when staff are furloughed or sick. Carly is accountable and reliable in getting rosters out on time. She respects everyone’s requests for time off and knows how to make things work. The department would not know how to function without her.”
Clinical Coordinator – Sunshine Pharmacy
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Ceilidh’s nominator had the following to say:
“Ceilidh goes above and beyond to empower and nurture the clinical pharmacy workforce to provide ‘best care’ for the patient as well as to support any gaps within other departments. Ceilidh is always an approachable and team-oriented leader for the pharmacy workforce. She is accountable for taking the lead role in promoting new strategies to optimize the delivery of patient care, such as a team-based structure in pharmacy. “
Senior Pharmacist – Women’s and Children’s
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Charis’s nominator had the following to say:
“Charis demonstrated fostering a positive workplace by always ensuring staff had the support they needed when under stress, constantly checking in with the team to ensure they’re okay, and open to discussing any issues staff may have, and always being readily available to answer enquires/questions with open arms. Charis demonstrated compassion by recognising areas that were under pressure and organising or offering help as needed. Accountability is demonstrated through her understanding of the responsibilities of a senior position and what skills are required to achieve in this area. Charis always assists junior colleagues by encouraging them to work on quality improvement projects, such as reviewing current practices and identifying how to improve.”
Woman’s Health Physiotherapist and Allied Health Data Lead
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Chennelle received three nominations for an INSPIRE Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
Chennelle has demonstrated compassion and a warm nature when treating patients in our unit and is noted by many patients as comforting and reassuring. Her positive, ‘can-do’ attitude extends beyond her professional role into her administrative responsibilities, especially in relation to EMR 2.1, where she has been instrumental in designing our clinics and handled all questions and concerns around our clinic setup and function efficiently and clearly. Recently, with the introduction of the new EMR and new advanced practice clinics in women’s health physiotherapy, her workload has skyrocketed, and she has diligently put in many hours to manage this load. Not only our team but all of Allied Health has benefited from the time and care that Chennelle has put into her work to ensure that these new systems and clinics run smoothly.
Nomination 2:
Chennelle has taken leadership of Allied Health during the period of EMR 2.1 go-live. Apart from volunteering to be a superuser, Chennelle coordinated a very smooth implementation across all disciplines in Allied Health. Chennelle demonstrated an in depth understanding of the needs of the specialist allied health disciplines across both Children’s and Adult specialist clinic services. Chennelle planned and prepared for the hire and training of new allied health administration and made those staff feel very welcome in their roles at Western Health – Chennelle developed and implemented new workflows in the division to aid this transition. Chennelle facilitates communication between allied health and specialist clinic areas, and she monitors data delivery and standard reporting, ensuring that our patients receive ‘best care.’ This proactive approach means that the Allied Health managers are informed of critical information in a timely way. Chennelle has been the most integral part of the successful launch of EMR for the Allied Health Specialist Clinics. Chennelle also worked many hours of overtime during the go-live period to ensure a smooth transition for all staff involved!
Nomination 3:
Chenelle has excelled in the WH values of accountability and excellence in championing the Allied Health change to EMR 2.1. Her compassion, patience, and professionalism in dealing with multiple allied health disciplines and their last-minute changes have been appreciated. Thank you for helping us repeatedly, not making us feel like a burden, and being there to help and calm us all with the significant changes of EMR 2.1 for outpatient clinicians.
Nurse Educator – Sunshine Nursing Education
Chris’s nominator had the following to say:
“Chris has demonstrated an exceptionally high standard of work in her dedication to improving the experiences of junior nurses. Chris is tireless in helping junior nurses learn and improve, going above and beyond the call of duty in her compassionate and respectful approach to nursing education. Her efforts have doubtlessly resulted in improvements to patient safety and quality of care and a better and more positive working environment at Western Health. The compassion, accountability, respect, aspiration to excellence, and call to safety that Chris has instilled into junior nurses will continue to affect the organisation for years to come. Chris is a true role model for the next generation of nurses.”
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Ward 1 West
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Claire was nominated by a patients support worker. Here is what they had to say:
“Claire did everything you expect from a nurse and more. She is the most friendly, happy, caring, and, most importantly, trustworthy Nurse l have ever dealt with. Although Claire worked with a client and not a family member or myself, l would choose her to care for my family members in a heartbeat. She should be used as a mentor and example for others on what a great, compassionate, friendly, honest Nurse is. Her communication and dedication to patient care are of a high standard, and my client speaks more highly of her than anyone else. I know that other staff and patients on the ward speak highly of this young, outstanding Nurse and human being, too.”
Registered Nurse – Ward 1B
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient nominated Daniel for the care he provided and said, “Daniel is a fabulous nurse. He was a great support and a friendly, familiar face for most of my stay on the ward. I appreciated his candour, humour, skill, and compassionate and thorough care. I hope he is acknowledged for his efforts.”
Senior Pharmacist – Oncology Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Daniel’s nominator had the following to say:
“Daniel is an exceptional oncology pharmacist and clinical leader. His team is safety-focused, with a very low rate of ISR incidents. He also has an excellent track record for change management. He has successfully led the oncology pharmacy team through multiple projects, including the implementation of infusion pump guardrail software, pre-printed chemotherapy charts, and the Cerner EMR implementation in the chemotherapy day unit. Daniel is always approachable, thoughtful, responsive, and respectful in his interactions with all junior and senior staff and patient interactions.”
Paediatric Emergency Social Worker
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Dorah’s nominator had the following to say:
“Dorah contributes to our service every day and has made such a difference in the care of children and families. She is warm and welcoming. She speaks to people in a non-judgmental way and works hard to engage them in their own care, noting that many have histories of trauma, isolation, and disadvantage. Dorah has taken on the development of a community closet, sought donations, and collaborated with volunteers and suppliers. We can now offer children clean clothing if needed, which is much better than a hospital gown! Dorah has a quiet and gentle communication style, demonstrating her respect for patients, carers, and staff, and she has gained the respect of everyone in the Paediatric ED space. Dorah regularly teaches JMS and Nursing staff about Child Protection, Family violence, and Trauma-informed care. Cultural and social safety is implicit in her work, and she also cares about the needs of our staff, who are often exposed to confronting situations. The education programs she provides also assist in empowering the team. Everyone notices when she is on leave – we need another Dorah!”
Intern – Upper GI and General Surgery
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Dr Ahmed’s nominator had the following to say:
“In the first few weeks of my placement as a clinical assistant, when I was mostly shadowing doctors, I was floored by Ahmed’s work ethic, which was nothing short of superhuman. He constantly checked in on me and made me feel like a valued team member. He also followed up on his fellow interns – continually checking if they needed help with anything or a coffee to help them through particularly long days. In preparation for days when he wasn’t rostered on, Ahmed would prepare ward round notes in the afternoons and ensure a closed communication loop. He also took the time to hear patients’ concerns, and I was taken aback by how calmly and clearly, he explained the reasons for fasting, imaging, clinic reviews, etc., to patients and their families. He also proactively introduced himself to nursing and auxiliary staff and considered how clinical decision-making would affect nursing practice. I feel so lucky to have spent this time under his supervision and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Vascular Surgeon – Cardiac Care Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Dr Baker was nominated by a patient’s family member who said the following:
“Dr Ali Baker saved my brother’s life and treated him respectfully and with kindness at every consultation. Although we expect that from staff, sometimes they are under huge pressure and are definitely excused if they need to rush. Dr Ali never rushed and always had time for my brother. He always exemplified excellence.”
Unaccredited Psychiatry Registrar – ED Psychiatry Behavioural Assessment Unit Sunshine
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Dr Haroon’s nominator had the following to say:
“I was lucky enough to be taken under the wing of Dr Ali whilst on placement as a medical student. He had an excellent rapport with the medical team and allied health staff and the patients and families he interacted with whilst working on this service. He demonstrated excellence by making a point of arriving early with a coffee to teach me, prepare me for the day, and follow up on readings. He ensured respect and cultural and personal safety by forewarning cultural and personal nuances with me before I saw patients in the Behavioural and Assessment Unit and other staff. He demonstrated Compassion for both patients and me as a medical student by constantly following up on teaching points the following day. I will always remember Dr Haroon’s kindness and deliberate approach to building rapport and working with patients, students, and colleagues.”
Consultant Geriatrician – Aged Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Barbara’s nominator had the following to say:
“Barbara responded to a request from Winteringham Aged Care to see a highly complex gentleman in the community who required advance care planning. He had a significant cranial tumour and was declining conventional therapies, and the goal was to best support him at home. Barbara demonstrated compassion and respect for this client when she performed a home visit and was able to complete a comprehensive care plan that aligned with their values and beliefs. This referral did not come through the usual channels and could have been considered not to meet clinic referral criteria, but Barbara focused on the needs of the patient and prioritised this visit.”
Director of Clinical Training (Surgery)
Dr Reid’s nominator had the following to say:
“Dr Reid has created a nurturing environment for surgical HMOs. She has developed the surgical education and skills programs from a very low base. She has increased resources for SIM training for HMOs, for example, using a specific colonoscopy trainer. The SIM sessions incorporate communication and teamwork skills and run regularly. These programs are popular and well-attended. Her tireless efforts have created a sense of belonging for junior surgical HMOs and increase the chance of HMOs staying at Western Health. Dr Reid is an excellent role model for behaviours in the workplace. She demonstrates the respect, excellence, lifelong learning, and communication skills required for a positive workplace for junior doctors. She has created a safe space for learning and asking questions.”
Intern – Upper GI and General Surgery Footscray Hospital
Dr Farah’s nominator had the following to say:
“Samiyah and her conduct have made a deep impression on me. Samiyah always had a wonderful sense of humour and made me feel instantly at ease despite my apprehension about joining a new team and unfamiliar specialty. She also advocated many times for me to be involved in theatre and clinic, and I had agency and trust from her (and through her, the team) to get the most out of this rotation. I also witnessed her engaging in multiple instances of culturally safe care in dealings with patients and their families, and she was kind enough to explain some of the things she considered to me. Samiyah is very dedicated and ALWAYS arrives early to prepare ward round notes for the team. She took the time to explain when to escalate as a junior doctor to more senior staff, and she gave so many tips and tricks that I felt a lot more prepared for the intern year. I would love to work with Samiyah again, as it has been an absolute pleasure, and I hope other medical students can learn from such a great teacher.”
Supervisor of Intern Training & International Medical Graduates
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Sean’s nominator had the following to say:
“Sean supports interns and international medical graduates to find their feet in the hospital system. He manages to help them not only find their feet despite the challenges but find their dancing feet and then dance to the rhythm of the hospital beat. He is an excellent communicator who combines a human and real-world approach with a realistic recognition of the challenges and fast-paced nature of hospital work. He excels at both clear communication to large groups as well as bespoke and tailored support for individuals and is never too busy for a chat or a cup of tea and a debrief or advice in a psychologically safe space. Sean values and welcomes diversity, and through the way he facilitates orientation and education for our junior doctors, he helps translate our hospital values from words into the actions of our junior doctors in their day-to-day work. Sean is an exceptional medical educator, but in particular, has substantial expertise in teaching doctors to teach and supervise. Sean has overseen the supervision of thousands of junior doctors at Western Health over many years, combining excellence with humour and a human touch. From current interns to those who were interns and now registrars or consultants, many still seek Sean out for a chat or a coffee during tough times, and if you’ve ever worked with Sean, it will be obvious why.”
OVA Operations Manager – Safety Risk and Emergency Management Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Elisa’s nominator had the following to say:
“I am nominating Elisa for her devoted and visionary work in leading the continued implementation and continuous improvement of the Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) program at Western Health. Elisa has embodied Western Health’s core values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Safety. She has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of empathy for the challenges that healthcare workers face. Her tireless efforts to mitigate occupational violence and aggression reveal her concern for the welfare of all staff. She has shown immense dedication to monitoring, revising, and enhancing the OVA program, holding herself accountable for its ongoing efficacy and success. Her outreach to share this program with other healthcare institutions also testifies to her commitment to ensuring broader healthcare safety. By acknowledging and addressing the problem of occupational violence, she underscores the importance of maintaining a respectful workplace for all employees. Her program fundamentally advocates for staff’s rights to a safe and respectful environment, and her work at international conferences amplifies this message to a wider audience. Her work has been instrumental in enhancing the safety measures for all staff within Western Health and beyond, creating a safer environment for all healthcare workers.”
Administration Assistant – Perioperative & Critical Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Elisha’s nominator had the following to say:
“Elisha is a critical member of the POCC division, with specific responsibility for the 4 general surgery units, as well as several other specialty surgical units. She is always willing to assist, always with a smile; she resolves issues efficiently and defuses tensions and anxieties in staff at all levels. Nothing is too much trouble. She gets on well with both senior and junior medical staff, as well as other members of the administration and leadership teams. She has collated information and coordinated multiple RACS accreditation visits, working well above regular hours to ensure that these visits run smoothly. We are fortunate to have her at Western and to have her supporting the rest of the administration team.”
Occupational Therapist – Hand Therapy
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Liz’s nominator had the following to say:
“Liz is a highly devoted team member whose compassion for her job, patients, and team is to be commended. She has been extensively involved with the development of phase 2 EMR for specialist clinic outpatients, namely the transition for the Hand Therapy service. She has been a strong advocate, clearly conveying the uniqueness of Hand Therapy within Allied Health. To ensure accountability, she has facilitated the development of our assessment forms and optimised process pathways where possible. She always seeks excellence, continues to contribute to staff training, and has provided much needed administrative support. Liz is always seeking to juggle what comes her way and deliver her best service while looking after her team. She deserves to be acknowledged for her tremendous effort. She is an asset to Western Health.”
Nurse Practitioner – Sunshine Emergency Department
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Eric’s nominator had the following to say:
“Since joining the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department (SHED) team in 2012, Eric has worked tirelessly to re-establish the Adult Emergency Nurse Practitioner role within Western Health. Eric is a passionate Emergency Nurse Practitioner who demonstrates clinical leadership at all levels of nursing in SHED. This dedication and passion have resulted in five Emergency Nurses becoming Nurse Practitioner Candidates in SHED. To support the Nurse Practitioner Candidates, Eric has been involved in developing an evidence-based learning package of common presentations, which is within the scope of a Nurse Practitioner to manage as an independent clinician, as well as leading clinical scenarios, study sessions, and mentoring for the group. Eric fosters a collaborative, compassionate environment that aims to provide ‘best care’ to our patients. Eric is approachable, caring, and willing to share his knowledge and skills with the whole team.”
OHS Projects Manager – Safety Risk and Emergency Management Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Evan’s nominator had the following to say:
“In his role at Western Health, Evan consistently demonstrates the core values of compassion, accountability, excellence, and safety and is an integral part of our team. Evan consistently demonstrates compassion through his empathy and supports his colleagues, particularly during challenging times of high workload. Evan’s approach to Occupational Health and Safety matters is one of thoroughness and responsibility. For the projects Evan is involved in, he takes the time to distill complex legislation into practical, task-oriented advice, ensuring that all team members can understand and apply these important guidelines. Evan holds himself accountable to the highest standards of the health and safety profession. Evan’s technical knowledge and professional behaviour demonstrate excellence in his approach to his work. His dedication to maintaining high safety standards for all new builds has helped position Western Health as a leader in this area and ensures safety is designed into every project. Additionally, his ability to inspire others contributes to a culture of continuous learning and improvement. He leads by example, showcasing how prioritising safety can be a natural part of everyday practice. His work greatly benefits the broader Western Health community.”
Clinical Nurse Consultant – Palliative Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient’s family member had the following to say about Fiona:
“Fiona showed compassion and empathy to my mother. She extended her care and empathy to my brother and myself when dealing with the situation. Fiona showed respect by treating my mother as a person, not just a patient. I could tell she cared about what they were doing and showed respect and kindness, always offering comforting advice. She demonstrated excellence in her role, following up on what she did and looking out for Mum in both hospitals, coming to see her even when she had finished her shift to say goodbye. Fiona upheld the highest standards and created a positive atmosphere where we all felt supported.”
Occupational Therapist- Stroke/Neurology
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Giselle’s nominator had the following to say:
Since starting with us in January, Giselle has been an integral part of the Western Health Occupational Therapy team. Giselle slotted into the team seamlessly and has been an invaluable member ever since. She demonstrates the Western Health Value of excellence as a skilled OT who consistently provides high-quality occupational therapy intervention to her patients. Giselle has been managing the ever-busy and challenging acute stroke and neuro OT role with grace under pressure and a consistent commitment to patient-centred care. Giselle demonstrates the Western Health value of compassion as she will go above and beyond for her patients to achieve the best outcomes but will also go above and beyond to support her co-workers. Giselle brings a calm, positive presence to our team, which has greatly impacted our team culture. She is a wonderful role model and support to our junior staff and is always willing to help out with a smile on her face. Giselle is consistently respectful in her interactions with her patients, co-workers, and the wider multidisciplinary team and is a respected member of the team in return. Giselle deserves recognition for all her incredibly hard work and ability to juggle multiple competing demands with a smile and a bright, ‘can-do’ attitude.”
Patient Service Assistant / Orderly – Sunshine Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Glen’s nominator had the following to say:
“During my every interaction with Glen and whenever he comes up to the Sunshine CCU ward to transport patients to the Cath Lab, I have consistently witnessed him embodying Western Health’s core values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Safety. Compassion is foundational as Glen consistently creates a comforting environment for anxious patients through his humour and calming presence. He takes responsibility for patient safety, ensuring timely and secure transportation to the Cath Lab. His respectful and caring behaviour extends to both patients and colleagues. Glen’s dedication to accountability is evident in how he takes full responsibility for his actions. He ensures that patients are transported to the Cath Lab safely and on time, prioritizing their well-being as an essential part of his daily practice. Glen’s respectful and caring behaviour extends to both patients and colleagues. He supports the busy ward staff by assisting with equipment and willingly offers help. Glen’s pursuit of excellence is evident in his commitment to consistently delivering high-quality patient care and providing invaluable support to the CCU staff. As an individual, Glen’s selfless dedication to his work and his genuine interest in supporting his Western Health colleagues and patients make him an outstanding candidate for the Inspire Award. Each interaction with him leaves a lasting impression, inspiring others to be better individuals in both their professional and personal lives.”
Senior Project Manager, Mental Health Transition & Integration Project
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Grace’s nominator had the following to say:
“Grace is a high-achieving person with natural leadership skills who naturally fosters a positive mentor role for me and others around her. This has led to a positive team environment for our project. Grace has been an integral leader in ensuring the transition project remains on track and progresses accordingly. Advice is also something Grace is always happy to provide to others. As a staff member, this advice (even if small) instills focus, ambition, and a positive outlook for future growth as a professional. When improvements can be made within my and others’ roles and practice, Grace can have an honest and non-judgmental conversation so we can improve in the future – a skill I have not witnessed/experienced in other leaders. Grace ensures all of her practices and actions are governed by safety and appropriate approvals, again setting an exempt standard of work for those around her to follow.”
Anthony O’Donnell – Divisional Director, Perioperative & Critical Care and Helen Sinnott – Director of Nursing & Midwifery
Anthony O’Donnell – PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“In the lead-up to the go-live of Phase 2.1 of the Electronic Medical Record, despite the fantastic efforts of the Digital Health team, it was apparent that some additional support would be needed to ensure the success of the project. Both Helen Sinnott and Anthony O’Donnell selflessly agreed to put aside their normal work for a number of months to become intimately involved in the EMR project, focusing their incredible skills, experience, and knowledge to ensure that complex challenges were overcome and that outcomes were exceptional. Anthony focused on the operational aspects of go-live, providing excellent leadership to ensure that all enabling elements were completed and risks were identified and managed. Helen utilized her extensive informatics experience and expertise, together with her leadership and communication skills, to lead stakeholder engagement and finalisation of the EMR solution in a number of clinical areas, ensuring clinical engagement and patient safety were always at the forefront of decision-making. Together, they supported the Digital Health team and our clinicians to empower and enable a hugely successful go-live.”
Helen Sinnott
Senior Clinical Psychologist – Psychology Department
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Jacki’s nominator had the following to say:
“Jacki has provided continued excellence in leadership and clinical support to the Psychology workforce – and we are grateful for her amazing energy and enthusiasm. She applies a considered and compassionate approach and has been pivotal in maintaining the strength of the Psychology Postgraduate Training Program and developing current primary supervisors to their full potential. Jacki provides considered and measured advice and consultation to all her colleagues and is generous with her time and expertise – and I commend her for her continued pursuit of a unified and collective Psychology workforce. Jacki is an asset to our team and the broader Allied Health workforce.”
Physiotherapist – Rehabilitation Ward
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Jacob’s nominator had the following to say:
“Jacob lives and breathes all Western Health values every day at work. Despite an overflowing list of responsibilities and extensive caseload, Jacob always goes above and beyond to facilitate our learning as Grade 1 physiotherapists to help us achieve the best patient outcomes. He demonstrates compassion and makes himself available to support us. He is always respectful toward staff, patients, and their families. Jacob’s positive nature and bubbly personality also make rehab an enjoyable place to work and contribute to the welcoming culture at Western Health. Thank you, Jacob, for welcoming us to rehab and offering your expertise to help us demonstrate the WH CARES values!”
Storeman – Footscray Food Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
James’s nominator had the following to say:
“James takes great pride in his role and will go above and beyond to complete a task. He has a can-do attitude, is friendly, and is well liked by his work colleagues. James has taken a proactive approach when things break down or are out of stock. He will ensure the communication is passed to all concerned stakeholders. James understands computers well and is happy to help staff who struggle to keep up with their online training. As he is a storeman and has to liaise with other stakeholders, he always communicates with respect and ensures they receive their orders in a timely manner.”
Retail and Auxiliary Coordinator – Williamstown Hospital
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Jasmine’s nominator had the following to say:
“Jasmine has been an EXCELLENT person to work with, as she is constantly respectful and understanding towards all volunteers in retail and hospital environments. She constantly takes the initiative to ensure the safety of other staff and volunteers, whether it be the ‘doffing and donning’ processes or if something doesn’t look right throughout the hospital. Jasmine is a positive role model to all volunteers, always ensuring they are happy and confident in their roles no matter how hard she works. She is also very helpful and has taught me and other volunteers the best way to complete tasks in a kind manner. Jasmine is a very approachable person who is happy to chat anytime. “
Nurse Unit Manager – Ward 1B
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Jessica’s nominator had the following to say:
Jessica fosters a positive workplace in a number of ways – she writes weekly updates about the ward, including areas that we can improve, compliments from patients, areas that we have done well in, and any exciting updates on staff members (promotions, new roles, babies). She always makes time to help staff if we come to them with a concern and has never once turned me away without a solution to rostering issues. Jessica also organises farewell parties for all staff when they move on to new positions and mini baby showers for staff on maternity leave, and she arranged for flowers to be delivered to me when I had to have surgery. She also always takes the time to assist in further staff education, particularly if a member of staff has made an error. This supports them to learn from their mistakes and ensure that it doesn’t happen again. She does this in a nonjudgemental way and doesn’t make the person feel lesser for having made a mistake, which assists them to feel comfortable to admit their mistakes and take on the learning. Jess has always been respectful in her communication with me and the rest of the ward, both in email and in person. I am also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and have been ‘out’ to Jess from very early on. She has been respectful in her dealings with me in this matter and an ally to myself and others in the community. Jess has always been a great teacher. When I have asked her how to do something, she has always taken the time to show me how rather than simply just telling me. Jess is also very much in the category of ‘practice what you preach.’ If she asks us to put certain orders in for a patient on admission, you know that she knows how to put that order in herself and will be doing so whenever she is doing an in-charge shift. Jess also has shown time and again that she works well with others across the system, having covered for the role above hers for a few weeks earlier in the year as well as working with doctors from multiple teams, both surgical and otherwise, to ensure the best care for our patients.
Operations Manager – Aboriginal Health Unit, Wilim Berrbang
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Jordan’s nominator had the following to say:
“Jordan has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the Western Health Wilim Berrbang – (formerly Aboriginal Health Unit). He has built and maintained relationships with wards and units, sealing productive and supportive collaboration between his staff and ward-based staff. He has educated, supported, and developed the knowledge base for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, improving their ability to partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and community supporting the provision of culturally safe care. He has worked tirelessly with administrative and nursing staff to ensure all patients are asked if they identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, improving access to services and cultural support they might otherwise not have received. He has grown the knowledge around lower life expectancy, inter-generational trauma, institutional and political abuse, racism, Stolen Generation, displacement, and disconnection from community and culture. He has provided information, invited questions, and been generous with his knowledge. Jordan has been instrumental in ensuring artwork and other culturally inclusive environmental change, further providing a culturally safe and inclusive environment for patients and the community. Jordan has been able to better support us to become allies that support self-determination. He has supported the development of a culturally safer place that strives for excellence and ‘Best Care.'”
Grade 2 Dietitian – Oncology/Surgery
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Josh’s nominator had the following to say:
Josh is a valued asset to the nutrition department. He goes above and beyond in his clinical work, showing great compassion for patients and providing patient-centred care. Patients often speak of Josh and how kind and helpful he has been. His skills and knowledge in the oncology, haematology, and surgical space continue to grow, allowing him to manage the most complex of patients. He is also an experienced and well-liked student supervisor. His contribution to the department’s positive vibe and ‘can-do’ attitude is much appreciated.”
Operations Manager, SNAP – Aged, Cancer and Continuing Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Kanessa’s nominator had the following to say:
“Kanessa is the operations manager for the SNAP team, and whilst she ensures her team facilitates timely transfers to a subacute bed, she often goes above and beyond for our patients. Recently, Kanessa identified an opportunity to partner with an external aged care provider to provide short-term respite care for patients with non-weight-bearing orders who are assessed as unsafe for discharge home. This care pathway allows the patient journey to be discharged from Western Health (WH) but still receive the care required during their non-weight-bearing period. Several patients transferred to this pathway have provided incredibly positive feedback, not to mention the significant bed day savings and access improvement benefits realized by WH. This initiative was supported by Kanessa’s desire to ensure she was a compassionate and strong patient advocate but also by her dedication to ensure accountability and excellence.”
Physiotherapist – Sunshine Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Kate’s nominator had the following to say:
“Kate is passionate about providing ‘best care’ to all patients and making an impact on their ICU journey. Kate has demonstrated compassion when patients and families are at their most vulnerable. She ensures patients and families are educated in their ICU recovery journey and takes patients to their highest level of function. This is also demonstrated by her interest and passion in completing research in critical care survivorship. Kate demonstrates excellence by leading the ICU physio team and teaching and training junior ICU staff. She helps staff improve their knowledge and understanding of treating ICU patients with understanding and respect and ensures the upskilling of staff is of the highest standard. Kate has been an absolute asset to the cardio team over the COVID years and beyond and is very deserving of this award. “
Senior Occupational Therapist / NDIS Lead
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Katherine’s nominator had the following to say:
“Katherine demonstrates a high level of skill, confidence, and calm in navigating the NDIS pathway and supporting staff to do the same. She thrives on building capacity and skill in others and celebrates big and small achievements. Katherine is approachable, reliable, and accountable, and the team feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Katherine has been an invaluable help to the acute team with her support in her NDIS role; she has extensive clinical knowledge of the NDIS processes and is always willing to help with a smile! She goes above and beyond in her role, and her support has played a key role in facilitating timely discharges for patients on the NDIS. Katherine has been an absolutely incredible help with our complex NDIS patients on the ward!! She always presents with a “can do” attitude, and her passion for solving complexity contributes to her thorough, patient-centred approach to care.”
Operations Manager – Physiotherapy
VPICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Kirsty received two nominations for an INSPIRE Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
“Kirsty is operationally responsible for over 120 physiotherapists at Western Health. By the end of the pandemic, engagement in the physiotherapy workforce had reached an all-time low. The vacancy rate had climbed to an all-time high of 17%. Over the past 18 months, Kirsty has led significant change in the physiotherapy team focused on staff engagement, enthusiasm, and retention. Kirsty led focused feedback from staff to target meaningful change in daily operating procedures, work prioritization systems, junior workforce education, and targeted recruitment. Kirsty takes time to listen to staff concerns and acts appropriately. Retention has improved significantly, and there are now no vacancies in the department. The 2022 Staff Matters survey demonstrated a 38% increase in the area: “My Manager provides me with enough support when I need it” – a significant achievement. Kirsty has overseen the implementation of a Junior workforce educational uplift program that has involved targeted co-designed education to increase the practical skills of students who studied for degrees during the pandemic. The results of this program have been outstanding, and the program has been accepted for presentation at the National Allied Health conference to be held in Perth in November 2023. Kirsty is highly respected by her peers and others within the Allied Health Division.”
Nomination 2:
“Kirsty is an empathetic and kind leader who goes out of her way to help others and provides an environment where staff can grow and develop without judgement. Kirsty recognized that additional support was needed for the junior physiotherapists entering the workforce after completing their training during the COVID pandemic. Kirsty demonstrated values of compassion by recognising that the gap in knowledge and experience was not an individual clinician issue but rather a consequence of limited clinical placements and hands-on experience with complex patient presentations during a period of disrupted learning through the COVID pandemic. Kirsty demonstrated respect by working with junior physiotherapists in developing a program that would meet their needs. Accountability was at the core of Kirsty’s actions as it was her role to ensure clinical staff felt confident to provide safe and effective care. Kirsty made sure that the devised education program met the needs of the junior physiotherapists and enabled them to feel more confident in their role in providing ‘best care’ to their patients. Finally, Kirsty demonstrated excellence in the approach of how this program was designed and executed. Kirsty surveyed the incoming cohort of junior therapists to determine what knowledge gaps existed for them and designed an evidence-based, inclusive, and targeted eight-week program to address key areas identified by the junior staff. Evaluation of the program proved to be effective in improving the confidence of junior physiotherapists and reduced the risk posed to patients. Kirsty should be congratulated on her inspirational leadership of the junior physiotherapists at Western Health!!!!”
Nurse Unit Manager – Sunshine Day Procedure Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Kristen’s nominator had the following to say:
“Kristen demonstrates all the qualities and values of the organisation and creates a positive environment at work. She consistently demonstrates a compassionate and caring attitude toward staff, which is essential to creating a positive workplace environment. Kristen understands staff’s personal situations, doesn’t judge, and helps them by ensuring they know she supports them. She is a fantastic boss, and I absolutely loved working with her. She is an inspirational leader and someone I aspire to be like if I become a Nurse Unit Manager. “
Nurse Unit Manager – Ward 3B
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Kylie’s nominator had the following to say:
“Kylie has been an exceptional Nurse Unit Manager in fostering compassion towards patients, their families, and all the staff caring for patients on the ward. Her care and kindness toward patients and staff are infectious and have led to a significant cultural change in Ward 3B, where a positive and respectful environment is fostered daily. She is an incredibly valuable member of the Western Health family in initiating positive change in all aspects of patient care.”
Clinical Assistants – Orthopaedics
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Lachie and Jeremy’s nominator had the following to say about them:
“Lachie and Jeremy are final-year medical students at Western Health and worked alongside me for several months as clinical assistants in orthopaedics. Although all of the Clinical Assistants have been helpful to the Orthopaedics team, both of these gentlemen stood out for their accountability, excellence, and safety. They demonstrated excellence and accountability in their approach to their work, starting work early (6 a.m.) to help prepare the ward round notes for the team and going out of their way to look for and address administrative tasks to help the team work better. They were proactive in reviewing prescribed medications and understanding their rationale to better understand their roles and responsibilities as interns next year and working as a junior doctor in orthopaedics. They were especially proactive in identifying what would help the team work better and establishing how to make themselves competent, safe junior doctors next year; an example would be attending to outstanding discharge summaries. On top of their usual clinical assistant responsibilities, medical studies, research projects, and several ongoing volunteering roles, they spent several weekends addressing this issue on their own initiative. In addition to these efforts listed above, their rapport with the doctors, nursing, and PCA staff reflects a genuine commitment to being an ongoing member of the Western Health family. Both of them have well and truly espoused the values that Western Health looks for in junior doctors and are well prepared for internship in 2024. I wish them the best of luck in their future careers.”
Consultant Geriatrician – Geriatric Medicine
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Lauren’s nominator had the following to say:
“Lauren has been nominated for her tireless efforts in improving care and outcomes for the vulnerable orthogeriatric patient group admitted to Western Health after fracturing their hip. She demonstrates accountability by being heavily involved in monitoring and reporting patient outcomes and liaison with the hip fracture registry and other external agencies. She is always very respectful in the way she interacts with the other key multi-disciplinary groups who make up the orthogeriatric care team, including, but not limited to, the nursing staff on Wards 3B and 1W, the orthopaedic team, the physio team, the hip fracture liaisons, and other members of the operations and executive teams. She always focuses her work on the safety of her patients by constantly encouraging everyone to improve and evolve care and focus on providing our patients with the best possible outcomes that Western Health can achieve. “
Acting Dispensary Manager – Sunshine Pharmacy
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Lauren’s nominator had the following to say:
“Lauren is a pharmacist who always aims to maintain a positive workplace, regardless of whether as dispensary manager or, more recently, as acting deputy director of pharmacy – operations. She shows this by being super respectful and communicating effectively with others when they share and implement ideas on process improvements in the dispensary, always leads by example when promoting teamwork within the dispensary and how ward pharmacists can contribute to this, is very proactive in fine and providing training/educational opportunities in the dispensary (both for new staff who are getting used to Western Health specific process, and those who are look for opportunities to progress in their roles as a pharmacist. Lauren has demonstrated her compassion by continually trying to improve workflows and work practices in the Sunshine Hospital dispensary, improving the experience of those who work in that area (and those who interact with the dispensary). She is a positive and proactive member of the dispensary team who leads by example and is accountable for providing excellence in the expected best possible level of service. She is a team member who is always very respectful when communicating with the pharmacy team (in person and in writing) about any process changes/issues that other team members need to be mindful of. More recently, while acting as the deputy director of pharmacy – operations role, Lauren really stepped up and supported the pharmacy operations team. If she did not have a solution to every situation, she used respectful communication to listen and provide thoughts and guidance on who to ask or the most appropriate course to take. “
Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) – Ward 3B
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Laurinda’s nominator had the following to say:
“Laurinda leads with kindness daily in her ANUM role; however, her work within her Pressure Injuries (PI) portfolio on Ward 3B has been outstanding. She has successfully mobilised the staff to work toward ‘best patient care.’ Laurinda has demonstrated excellence through successfully managing the PI portfolio and has engaged with staff to ensure the completion of risk assessments, tracking of data, and implementing new ideas. She demonstrates accountability by ensuring targets are met in relation to audits and the implementation of correct equipment. Laurinda is compassionate and takes time to meet all the patients under her care, interacts with families, and always works toward ‘best patient care’ and outcomes. “
Ward Clerk – Ward 3 East
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Leigh-Anne’s nominator had the following to say:
“Leigh-Anne was my trainer when I started working for Western Health, and straight away, she encouraged and supported me with kindness and laughter, which made me feel welcome and a joy to work with. She treated colleagues and patients alike with patience and understanding and never shied away from responsibility or acknowledging opportunities for improvement. She showed me how to be efficient and attentive with my work. She taught me the importance of looking out for my well-being and always being mindful of the safety and well-being of others. When I began working independently, she gladly supported me across different campuses and guided me with her vast knowledge. Her dedication to her role, her colleagues, and the patients under her care solidified the level of excellence I was hoping to one day achieve. Without her guidance, I would not be the confident, capable ward clerk I am today. “
Nurse Unit Manager – Footscray Transit Lounge
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Leonor’s nominator had the following to say:
“Leonor contributes to a positive workplace by being a great role model and an inspiring leader. She has stood up and led her team with such grace and dedication. Leonor is professional and attentive to staff and patients and has always shown great respect and compassion to each and everyone around her. In addition, she has always supported and motivated the team relentlessly by going above and beyond. Leonor makes a busy day less challenging and makes the impossible possible. “
Senior Research Nurse/Team Leader – Oncology Research
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Lisa’s nominator had the following to say:
“During her time in Oncology research, Lisa has proven to be a very caring and compassionate nurse who regularly goes above and beyond to ensure that her patients are well looked after and that their care is given in a very well organised and understanding manner. She takes the time to ensure patients and families have as much information as possible about their care and facilitates other supportive networks with Western Health to ensure holistic care is a priority. On a daily basis, she will work towards ensuring her staff has access to educational and learning opportunities by coordinating with other staff to ensure new staff members are given time and teaching as required; also, regularly taking this on herself to ensure learning opportunities are never missed, being accountable for the standard of learning that is undertaken within the unit. “
SafeWards / OVA Educator – Safety Risk & Emergency Management Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Lisa’s nominator had the following to say:
“I am nominating Lisa for her exceptional dedication and tireless efforts in implementing SafeWards within wards 2A and the Coronary Care Unit at Western Health. Lisa’s commitment to Western Health’s values is exemplified through her unwavering efforts to improve staff safety and transition SafeWards from a Department of Health project to a sustainable and impactful approach within the health service. Compassion lies at the heart of Lisa’s work, and she consistently demonstrates empathy and understanding towards both staff and patients. Recognising the need for a safe and supportive environment, Lisa has tirelessly advocated for the implementation of SafeWards. Her compassionate approach has fostered trust among team members, leading to improved collaboration and communication within the wards. Lisa’s genuine care for the well-being of others has positively influenced staff morale and created a culture of compassion within SafeWards areas. Accountability is a value that Lisa upholds with great integrity. She has taken ownership of the SafeWards implementation process and has been instrumental in ensuring its success within wards 2A and the Coronary Care Unit. Lisa has held herself accountable for delivering positive outcomes through her meticulous planning, organisational skills, and unwavering commitment. Her dedication to achieving measurable results and addressing the unique challenges within each unit demonstrates her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Lisa’s approach to her work is rooted in respect for all individuals involved, including staff, patients, and their families. She recognises the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives within Western Health staff and the broader Western Health catchment community. Lisa actively listens to the concerns and feedback of her colleagues and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Her respectful leadership style has earned her the trust and admiration of those she has worked with. Excellence is a driving force behind Lisa’s efforts to implement SafeWards and improve staff safety. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that the program is implemented with the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. Lisa’s attention to detail, innovative thinking, and ability to adapt the SafeWards program to meet the specific needs of patients with cognitive impairments in the GEM and Dementia Units showcase her commitment to planning the provision of SafeWards to vulnerable populations. Her dedication to excellence has positioned Western Health as a leader in implementing evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes and experiences and improve staff safety. Lisa’s work in implementing SafeWards aligns perfectly with the value of safety. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating a safe environment for staff, patients, and visitors within wards 2A and the Coronary Care Unit. Through her efforts, incidents of violence and aggression have been significantly reduced, contributing to a safer and more secure healthcare setting. Lisa’s focus on staff safety has not only improved the physical well-being of employees but has also fostered a sense of psychological safety and job satisfaction within SafeWards areas. Lisa’s tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to implementing SafeWards, and her ongoing work to transition the program from a project to standard practice embody the core values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Safety. Her dedication, leadership, and exceptional contributions have improved staff safety and positively impacted patient care and experiences. “
Health Protection Team Leader – Western Public Health Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Lynn’s nominator had the following to say:
“Lynn has been a team leader at the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) for over 2 years. She has led her team of public health officers (PHOs) and contact tracers with compassion and excellence through a number of difficult periods ranging from Covid-19 outbreaks such as the delta and omicron waves as well as through the more recent and ongoing communicable disease transition. WPHU is an evolving space, experiencing many peaks and troughs and undergoing constant change. However, one thing that has not changed at WPHU is Lynn’s commitment to ensuring that WPHU is a welcoming and positive workplace that no one wants to leave. She has been instrumental in recognising and celebrating diversity in the unit, whether it is through hosting events like the Feast for Freedom or offering a listening ear to those experiencing hardship. She has promoted a culture of positivity and made many contributions to the well-being of her colleagues, ensuring those that look after the public health and well-being of Victorians have someone looking after their own. She inspires others with her compassion and respect, lighting up a room with her humour and presence. She fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, always leading by example and maintaining a positive attitude during challenging times.”
Ward Clerk – Ward 1A
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Madeleine’s nominator had the following to say:
“Maddie always comes to work with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude. No job is ever too big or too small. She has taken the time to train many of our new employees and always offers general support to everyone around her. She has even given out her personal number for 24-hour support. (Thanks, Maddie). Maddie always takes the time to show families/patients who seem lost around the hospital and ALWAYS ensures people are well taken care of. She is very deserving of this award, and we need more people like Maddie in our hospitals. “
Paediatric Physiotherapist – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Madeleine’s nominator had the following to say:
“Madeleine is a supportive team member. She is approachable, confidential, and professional. Madeleine has a caring and nurturing vibe. She has provided many Physiotherapists with support, mentoring, guidance, and leadership during challenging COVID-19 restrictions and staff challenges. Madeleine is a positive light. She provides ongoing support and solutions and considers difficulties as challenges and learning opportunities. She thinks outside the box to find practical solutions to ongoing problems. Madeleine is constantly committed to improvement within herself and the wider team. She is currently re-organising the Paediatric Physiotherapy training program structure, as well as supporting staff longevity and succession planning. Madeleine is a team leader and team player at the same time and cares about staff outside of the work setting. She hosted a whole department Christmas party and organises team breakfasts, fostering positivity, communication, and friendship amongst the Paediatric team and wider Physiotherapy department.”
WeLearn Coordinator – Welearn – Nursing Education and Research
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Majd’s nominator had the following to say:
“Majd is a wonderful, kind, caring, and considerate person. Whenever assistance is needed with WeLearn, course creation, or RISE, Majd is incredibly generous with his time and expertise in elearning. He will take the time to understand the requirements and then apply his expert knowledge and excellence in exploring and discussing potential options. He understands the time pressures in a clinical environment, is always accountable, and completes tasks in a timely manner. When there is a problem, he will thoroughly investigate to solve it or support his team to complete it, even at a single user level, so that all staff can have a smooth learning experience. Majd is incredibly responsive, positively impacting everyone from tertiary students and their clinical supervisors to staff and managers receiving data from WeLearn. Majd is respectful, supportive, and approachable. He has a positive approach and aims to build e-learning skills in those he has the opportunity to work with, be it within or outside his division. He has developed a WeLearn Facilitator and Course Administrator hub to improve facilitator/administrator capability and skills, building the capability of staff across Western Health. Majd understands the power of e-learning and hopes to drive this within our health service. Majd has positively impacted the learning experience throughout the organisation for all Western Health staff and students. “
Clerical Allocator – Health Support Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Marcelle received two nominations for an INSPIRE Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
“Marcelle demonstrates high standards of work, improves the experience of others, and communicates respectfully in all situations. Marcelle opens the lines of communication between employees and management, is always approachable, and goes above and beyond her duties. Marcelle genuinely cares for everyone around her, helps out where possible, and is understanding of our needs. Marcelle demonstrates her care values every day. Truly an asset to our department. Marcelle is the glue that keeps the Clerical Workforce together. I have never seen such a dedicated, hard-working person who does so without recognition. Marcelle’s role involves backfilling any clerical shifts to fill vacancies at the last minute and in advance (as well as a million other things behind the scenes). She is in from 6 am (often 5:30) every morning, waking staff up and convincing them to come to work. Marcelle excels at what she does, taking accountability for unfilled shifts. She won’t stop until she has tried every possible solution to provide support to all areas. On top of this, she is extremely compassionate when doing so. You could speak to any 200+ Ward Clerks or ED Clerks, and they will all tell you the same thing. Marcelle respects others and has also gained the respect of 200+ clerks (not an easy task when most of the time she is delivering bad news about staff shortages or asking people to change shifts). Before joining the clerical workforce, Marcelle worked with security and was a Patient Services Assistant (PSA) supervisor. To this day, it’s hard to walk from one side of the hospital to the other with Marcelle because she is stopped by clerks, PSAs, security, and nurses along the way, all wanting to say hello and see a friendly face. I have seen Marcelle assisting PSAs with various tasks (usually computer based as she is a tech wiz), despite not working with their team anymore. That’s just the type of person she is – happy to help where she can be helpful. Marcelle truly demonstrates Western Health values without even trying.”
Nomination 2:
“Marcelle is always helpful and accommodating. She will bend over backward to help out anyone and always offers supportive suggestions. Marcelle is the nicest, caring, helpful, understanding, dedicated, and determined person who is a pleasure to work with and an asset to Western Health.”
Registered Nurse – Ward 2A
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Marina’s nominator had the following to say:
“Marina has devoted over 40 years of her life to nursing. She has provided care to thousands of people and families in two countries and multiple states. Marina has worked in different specialties, divisions, hospitals, and hospitals and has seen many changes, improvements, and advancements in the healthcare industry and profession, which she always embraces. Marina supports early career, and not so early career, nurses as they grow and mature as nursing professionals and is generous with her knowledge and experience. She can educate and assist nursing staff in comprehending and applying complex information and skills. Marina understands her responsibilities as a Registered Nurse to educate, mentor, and act as a Preceptor to other nurses and nursing students. She recognizes that she is promoting patient safety and excellence in care partnerships by investing in the next generation of nurses. Marina is compassionate and respectful with patients and carers. She recognises the stress placed on families and carers during an episode of care and seeks to provide an environment that sees and treats the patient as an individual with personal needs, goals, and circumstances. Marina has embraced the EMR and educates new staff on the use and advantages of an electronic system. She is a ward-based champion of the EMR admission process, ensuring that pertinent information is gathered and applied to the plan of care and that discharge planning commences at the time of admission. She uses the electronic record to document information that ensures the provision of excellence in care and guides the next nurse as to appropriate strategies to manage and reduce identified risks. Marina has shown commitment to nursing, excellence, and safety and has been an asset to Western Health and the community for many years.”
Associate Nurse Unit Manager – Sunshine Adult Specialist Clinics
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Mary’s nominator had the following to say:
“Mary has guided the Adult Specialist Clinics (ASC) through various challenging moments over many decades. The most difficult time was during COVID-19 when a large area of the specialist clinics was deployed for COVID clinics and Vaccination hubs. We ‘lost’ a large section of our department with very short notice. However, Mary demonstrated steely accountability with her quick and decisive decision-making to ensure the community was still being serviced with their appointments. The medical and nursing teams were able to continue clinics with little disruption to the patients, albeit in a makeshift area for the next several months. Working under Mary’s leadership for over eight years, her dedication and respect for her staff and patients underpin her work as a professional. Mary will always put forward choices to her patients for their decision-making and respects the rights of all her staff and the many clinicians who have worked alongside her over the many years. Mary is an infection prevention link nurse and has encouraged and mentored many of the ASC nurses to do the same as her high standards of safety for patients and staff regarding safety and infection control issues. Mary is often seen explaining the importance of Hand Hygiene to newly arrived interns. Mary is the foundation of the Sunshine ASC. Her dedication to the team, her honesty and respect shown to the clinicians, and her love of her “awesome team” make it a real pleasure to work with her each week.”
Administration Coordinator – Medical Education Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Maryrose’s nominator had the following to say:
“Maryrose has demonstrated an exceptionally high standard of work in her dedication to improving the experiences of Basic Physician Trainees (BPTs). Maryrose has been tireless in her efforts to support and facilitate BPT education, going above and beyond the call of duty, staying back, working long hours, and coming in on weekends to organise, prepare and facilitate not only multiple mock RACP exams but also multiple high stakes real exams across both major campuses. The countless BPT education sessions that Maryrose has organised have doubtlessly improved patient safety and quality of care. In addition to demonstrating excellence and improving safety across the organisation at Western Health, Maryrose has also shown outstanding accountability for the smooth and seamless operation of a complex and high-stakes educational program. Maryrose should take pride in contributing to the formative experiences of the next generation of senior physicians. Her influence will continue to affect the organisation for years to come. In discharging her duties as part of the BPT coordinator role, Maryrose is a true role model for future program coordinators. “
Operations Manager Food Services – Health Support Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Mei’s nominator had the following to say:
“Mei demonstrates a high standard of work, fosters a positive workplace at all times, and is making a difference for staff and patients. Relatively new to the hospital environment, she has quickly understood the complexities of meal provision to all hospital patients and residents. Mei is focused on improving the quality of the service provided by Food Services at all Western Health sites and Central Production Kitchen. She ensures the patient’s experience is at the centre of this. Mei demonstrates caring and compassion by maximising the patient experience of food and understanding the impact of food on an individual’s well-being during their time in our care at Western Health. She is also focused on the importance of safe food provision to those with these additional requirements, such as allergies or swallowing difficulties. Mei is highly respectful of all she works with and treats everyone within Food Services with fairness and equality. She takes the time to listen to staff and look out for their welfare. Mei provides guidance and fosters the development to ensure staff are supported to perform and improve in their roles. She takes time to ensure she respectfully communicates with all staff and ensures everyone has a thorough understanding of the expectations. Mei has engaged with clinical staff to ensure food service requirements are integrally understood and meet the patient/resident/consumer needs, including in the disaggregation of mental health services, new Sunshine Mental Health and Well-being Centre, Bacchus Marsh/Grant Lodge, and Carers project. “
Team Leader Specialist Services – Drug Health Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Melissa received two nominations for an INSPIRE Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
Melissa has an impressive ability to focus on the clinician’s well-being within our roles in a supportive and empowering way. She has a great wealth of knowledge and constantly has staff members approach her with difficult questions. She has a way of breaking down difficult/ethical questions for people so they are able to work through them in a way that makes them feel empowered. She does this with empathy and integrity. It allows clinicians to work through the question at hand with support rather than being provided with an answer. This increases their problem-solving skills and confidence, linking with the value of Accountability as it encourages staff members to take responsibility for their decisions and actions. I often notice that Melissa gets asked ethical questions around client rights and staff duty of care. Staff members approach her with these questions because they know Melissa has clients’ best interests in mind whilst also knowing where our duty of care comes in. She has great respect for all staff members and clients involved in the situation at hand and prioritizes their safety and well-being. Besides this, Melissa still sees clients in an AOD Counselling capacity – mainly Forensic clients. She manages to juggle a caseload of clients, provide group and individual supervision, and be a valued member of the management team. Melissa inspires and motivates staff to provide the best possible care to clients. We often jokingly call her the ‘People’s Princess’ of the office.”
Nomination 2:
“Melissa directly supports other employees and team members, particularly after tough phone calls to clients. She is very compassionate, always available to help the teams when needed, and provides coverage for other teams when their Team Leaders are absent. Melissa demonstrates respect for her colleagues by attentively listening to their issues and concerns and promptly addressing any issues. She actively engages in training and provides training to new members to ensure a high standard of excellence is maintained in service delivery and client care.”
Associate Nurse Unit Manager – Ward 1A
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Mia’s nominator had the following to say:
“Mia is an outstanding Associate Nurse Unit Manager, and her level of professionalism is unmatched. Mia is always respectful towards the patients, all levels of staff, and visitors. She always goes above and beyond for her staff, ensuring the shifts flow smoothly and patients are attended to. Working alongside Mia, if the shift has unexpected complications, it is guaranteed, and I can feel assured that she will promptly resolve the issues. Mia is kind, compassionate, and has a calm essence, which are great traits to have as a leader.”
Associate Nurse Unit Manager – Footscray Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Michelle received five nominations for an INSPIRE Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
“Michelle helps tremendously in ways that assist in helping the unit run smoothly. She is always compassionate towards her staff and never hesitates to help wherever she may be needed. Michelle also provides a safe space for her staff that makes all of us feel respected and valued. She always provides excellent care to our patients by ensuring they have everything they need, and their nurses do as well.”
Nomination 2:
“I’ve become very fond of Michelle since beginning in ICU. She has always been extremely supportive and encouraging in her role as ANUM and other jobs such as staff rosters/requests and, of course, her excellent baking skills. She is kind and friendly to every person she interacts with, including staff, patients, and family members, and shows respect to everyone. Michelle upholds all values of Western health every time she steps into the hospital (and everywhere else she is, of course!). Footscray ICU is very lucky to have Michelle.”
Nomination 3:
“Michelle provides excellent and compassionate care to not only her patients but to her staff as well. She never hesitates to help anyone and everyone and always treats her staff with compassion and respect. When Michelle is in charge, there is a sense of reassurance that you are in a safe space to ask questions and not feel intimidated.”
Nomination 4:
“Michelle is very compassionate. She supports all staff on every shift, is brilliant at dealing with distressed families, and anticipates patient needs in difficult times. She has high expectations in her work and brings her vast knowledge base to bring the best out of her staff. Michelle possesses high proficiency in clinical knowledge and practice.”
Nomination 5:
“Michelle is very approachable. I never hesitate to ask for her help in the unit as she will always be willing and ready to give a hand. Michelle is highly skilled, competent, and dependable. She is the best team leader, leads by example, and ensures everyone is supported during the shift.”
Ward Clerk – Grant Lodge
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Michelle’s nominator had the following to say:
“Michelle, as Covid Marshall, ensured the safety of all staff, visitors, and residents by ensuring that procedures and precautions were followed efficiently. Watching her efficiently and courteously manage tradespeople and work compassionately with residents, visitors, and relatives is a lesson in using the most amazing communication skills to ensure satisfaction, cooperation, and acquisition of information. She multi-tasks the many facets of her complex role with consummate ease. Nothing seems to faze her – no problem seems insurmountable. A compassionate interaction with a lonely resident, a respectful yet definite instruction to a tradesperson that mask-wearing is mandatory, is done with wry humour. It gets results. Her boundless energy means she can deliver a message to a staff member or resident, return to her desk to assist a visitor who needs assistance to enter and manage a phone call with a welcoming greeting.”
Registered Nurse – Ward 2A
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Monica’s nominator had the following to say:
“Monica is an exceptional nurse and human on so many levels. Monica is the nurse I inspire to be once I am qualified. She has been a mentor to me and a huge role model for me and everyone on the ward. Monica shows compassion and respect and has the ability to sense when others need someone to give them a moment of help, support and guidance. This is what makes Monica such a fantastic nurse and an exceptional person to work with.”
Medical Director of Simulation – Medical Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Nancy’s nominator had the following to say:
“Since coming on board at Western Health in January, Nancy has had an immeasurable impact on the quality and safety of patient care delivered at Western Health across ALL major campuses. Nancy has been tireless in stress-testing systems and processes, identifying areas for improvement, and designing and implementing strategies for bridging gaps in service/care delivery. For example, Nancy designed and delivered multiple in-situ simulations prior to the roll-out of the new Bacchus Marsh emergency response system. She worked collaboratively with all multidisciplinary stakeholders, creating a psychologically safe space and empowering diversity of opinion. Another example of Nancy’s tireless systems and processes stress testing is in-situ simulation in Theatre before the EMR Phase 2.1 roll-out. This ensured that standards of care would not be compromised during the initial transition period of Theatre from paper documentation to electronic documentation. Nancy also collaborated extensively with the ADONs responsible for the upcoming NSQHS accreditation. She designed and conducted countless in-situ simulations across the organisation, addressing every single NSQHS standard. Nancy has been involved in ED education and simulation training on top of her regular role as an emergency physician. Last but not least, Nancy designed and delivered two pilot programs for Medical Education, pioneering a level of junior doctor training previously unseen in our organisation even before Covid. The first program involved 12 Deteriorating Patient Sim full study days for Interns (PGY1) across 2023, the second consisting of 4 Deteriorating Patient Sim full study days targeted specifically at HMOs (PGY2). In all this, Nancy has remained flexible and approachable, going well above and beyond the call of duty.”
Nurse Unit Manager – Ward 2 East
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Nicole’s nominator had the following to say:
“Nicole took on the Nurse Unit Manager role during the pandemic. She needed to adapt to and learn this new role while facing such adversity. The challenges just keep coming, especially with staff retention and recruitment. Despite this, she is one of the most supportive nurses I’ve had the pleasure to work with, and I admire her compassion and professionalism in handling difficult situations. Nicole expects a high standard of care to be given to our patients and ensures that staff are supported to achieve this through understanding and adhering to policies and procedures. She sends weekly emails to update staff on things they need to know, such as policy and procedure changes. During trying times, Nicole managed to stay positive, which positively affected the team. She continues to show up every day and puts 100% into trying to run a high-standard ward, which I think she achieves. We have a high demand for GNPs wanting to stay on after their rotations, which is a testament to Nicole’s leadership.”
Administration Assistant – Community Based Rehabilitation
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Nicole’s nominator had the following to say:
“Nicole is consistently warm, patient, and caring toward patients regardless of how busy her day is. She makes them feel welcome and special whenever they arrive at the centre. Most importantly, she takes the time to listen to people and will work with therapists to solve appointment, transport, and other issues for the patients of the service. When people (frequently) arrive in CBR looking for a service or patient in another part of the hospital, Nicole will often ring the ward or clinic to ensure she is giving people the right directions. Patients and staff are really appreciative of Nicole’s compassion, respectful communication, and unwavering work ethic. This award would be a lovely way to recognise all she does to contribute to positive consumer experiences at Western Health. “
Dietitian – Colorectal and General Surgery
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Olivia’s nominator had the following to say:
“Olivia is a caring and hardworking member of the Footscray dietetics team. She has strong clinical knowledge and skills in nutrition support, as demonstrated by her leadership within the inpatient Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and Home Enteral nutrition services. Olivia also recently demonstrated excellent student supervision skills. She juggled a busy clinical workload and managed the students in a caring, supportive, and flexible manner. Olivia contributes positively to the nutrition department through her ‘can-do’ attitude and willingness to assist her colleagues during high workload demands. She is a great asset to our team.”
Senior Pharmacist – Chronic and Complex Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Trish’s nominator had the following to say:
“Trish has been an amazing leader for all pharmacists rotated into the Chronic and complex care space. She has made my experience in the last six months one of the best I’ve had in my short time at Western Health. She welcomed me in with open arms and was always there to support me, whether during my best days when I could take John Ferraro for a Gem@home tour or constantly message and support me on my low days when I had made errors. This shows immense compassion for her staff and patients, allowing me to grow in this space. Everyone at Western@home respects Trish for her dedication to her work, her love for her community pharmacy role, and her excellence in improving patient outcomes. She has given me an amazing outlook on what we can achieve as healthcare professionals and has shown me directions as to what we can achieve as leaders in this space for new staff.”
Registered Nurse – Nurse Pool
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient nominated Phuong for the care she provided and said:
“Phuong had a wonderfully calming effect on me whenever she had to take care of my IV or other tasks. She was highly professional yet friendly and supportive without feeling forced or fake. She always felt genuinely concerned for me as her patient, and I found her approach very reassuring and soothing.”
Chair of Nursing – Nursing & Midwifery
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Bodil’s nominator had the following to say:
“Bodil has made a remarkable and long-term positive impact on nursing at Western Health. Seven years ago, she was the inaugural Chair of the Western Health-Deakin University Partnership, and her leadership, passion, and approach have meant that a significant proportion of our nurses now think differently and in a more evolved way about nursing. She has enhanced our nurses’ critical thinking and helped them to become curious and interested in research. Her achievements at Western Health are genuinely amazing, with our nurses now publishing monthly, presenting at conferences, compiling posters, and robustly undertaking projects. Recently, she has led and contributed to prestigious MRFF submissions that have been successful and attracted substantial grant funding to support nursing research at Western Health. Our medical and allied health colleagues have also sought Bodil’s expertise and leadership, and she has always been willing to support others despite already having a huge workload. Bodil has also connected our people with academic colleagues from across the State, nation, and the world, creating excellent opportunities to learn and collaborate. None of this would have been possible without Bodil’s leadership and her commitment to excellence. Bodil demonstrates the CARES values in everything she does and is a strong and respected nursing and midwifery executive team member. Her expertise, insights, advice, and counsel have always added value and resulted in better, more well-informed decisions. Bodil has recently announced that she is stepping down from the Chair of Nursing position and will finish at the end of December. She will be truly missed, and all who have worked closely with her have considered it a privilege. Bodil is leaving an enduring legacy and has incredibly big shoes to fill. Thank you, Bodil.”
Registered Nurse – Ward 2A
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Rholand’s nominator had the following to say:
“Rholand was instrumental in driving EMR 2.1 preparation on Ward 2A. He educated, supported, and encouraged staff to learn, practice, and become experts prior to rollout. Rholand attended training, sourced all materials, and summarised for staff. He provided mini education sessions, sent emails, and developed lists to identify staff who had completed EMR 2.1 Training and assisted them in accessing the training modules. Rholand supported ‘Best Care’ by minimizing the risk associated with a process change. He not only provided safety for staff and patients but instilled a sense of confidence in staff. Rholand was tasked with being the Myia Flow adoption on Ward 2A. He again educated staff on placing the app on their desktops and entering and removing data. He explained the purpose, how the access team would utilise it, and how best to use this as a communication tool to improve access and flow. Rholand has continued to support staff through both rollouts. During our recent nurse-in-charge professional development, QIP Rholand was a great support to our developing staff. He mentored and guided them and ensured that they were aware that he was always available as a resource. Rholand continues to be a positive influence, a clinical resource, and an educator. Rholand deserves to be acknowledged for all these efforts to promote safety and ‘Best Care.’ “
Administration Coordinator – Women’s and Children’s Specialist Clinics
Samantha received two nominations for an INPSIRE Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nominator 1:
Samantha is head of our training at women’s and children’s as well as updating and creating operation manuals. Over the six weeks leading up to the EMR go-live, Sam worked hard to create step-by-step guides for every administration role in our department. She dedicated many hours of hard work to ensure they were ready for go-live so that she could support us to continue providing care for our patients. She was always willing to help everyone on our team, often going above and beyond. Without Sam’s hard work over these weeks, EMR go live would have looked very different in our department. Sam is an extremely valued team member of the Women’s and Children’s division.
Nominator 2:
Samantha created over thirty QRGs relating to EMR and women’s and children’s processes single-handedly. Women’s & Children’s would not have survived the EMR go-live period without her hard work, diligence, and excellence. Samantha put in an immense amount of hours to ensure her colleagues had the correct information to refer to during the go-live period. This demonstrates her compassion, care, and respect towards her colleagues.
Nurse Educator – Sunshine Nursing Education
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Samantha’s nominator had the following to say:
“Sam has demonstrated an exceptionally high standard of work in her dedication to improving the experiences of oncology student nurses. Sam is tireless in helping oncology student nurses learn and improve, going above and beyond the call of duty in her compassionate and respectful approach to education. Her efforts have doubtlessly resulted in improvements to patient safety and quality of care and a better and more positive working environment at Western Health. The compassion, accountability, respect, aspiration to excellence, and call to safety that Sam has instilled in future oncology nurses will continue to affect the organisation for years to come. Sam is a true role model for the next generation of nurses.”
Senior Care Coordinator – Healthlinks – Chronic & Complex Care
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Sarah’s nominator had the following to say:
“Sarah commenced her journey at Western Health in 2013 as a registered nurse, ward-based and in Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR). Sarah then joined the ACE Inpatient team as a care coordinator at Footscray, Sunshine, and JKWCH, soon after becoming a Senior Care coordinator for Healthlinks and Chronic & Complex Nursing Service. Sarah developed excellent skills in leadership in her role with the COVID Pathways. She did an amazing job setting up and managing the Transit Lounge at Sunshine Hospital as acting Nurse Unit Manager during the most challenging time in health care. Sarah is now in a senior care coordination role and is integral to the Chronic & Complex Division. She is very passionate about healthcare delivery and continues to inspire and support her team to achieve greater goals. Sarah is a well-respected team member across the division and always brings a positive vibe to the workplace. “
Administration Officer – Best Care Governance and Support Team
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Shayle’s nominator had the following to say:
“Shayle is always willing to go above and beyond for the benefit of the team and to assist fellow team members who may be struggling with workload. Shayle cares deeply about the well-being of her co-workers and always ensures that her work meets the standard required to deliver ‘best care’ for her team members and the patients involved. Her attention to detail and commitment to correctly completing the job is not without notice. Her bubbly personality and bright spark influence and engender a positive team spirit for all of us to meet the challenges of every day. She is a kind and considerate person who makes a difference every day for us (her teammates) and the wider community of Western Health. Shayle always puts her hand up first when volunteers are called for a task. She does this without question, even if it is a task, she is not familiar with. She meets every challenge posed to her in a positive manner.”
CT Radiographer – Radiology
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Shezard’s nominator had the following to say:
“Shezard is an exceptional radiographer who has made a significant recent contribution to Williamstown Hospital. He has been instrumental in the successful installation and training of staff on the new CT scanner at Williamstown Hospital, demonstrating his dedication, expertise, and compassion in the field. His ability to tailor his training to the specific needs of each staff member has been invaluable in ensuring that everyone is comfortable and proficient in using the new equipment. He is patient and nurturing when training and his excellent communication skills make him an effective teacher. Shezard’s dedication to his work and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty makes him a valuable CT and Medical Imaging team member. His expertise and compassion have made a significant difference in the quality of patient care through Medical Imaging at Williamstown Hospital. In addition to his training responsibilities, Shezard is heavily involved in image review and protocol building on the new scanner platform. His commitment to excellence ensures that the scanner operates at optimal levels and delivers the best possible patient results. Furthermore, his work optimising radiation doses to patients has been instrumental in improving patient care. Shezard takes on heavy workloads in his stride, among other administrative tasks that he does without complaint. He is a true professional who is always willing to help and support his colleagues. His dedication to improving the quality of care for patients is evident in all aspects of his work. Shezard’s commitment to excellence and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty make him a distinguished candidate for this award. I strongly recommend him for recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Medical Imaging team and the hospital. “
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Ward 2A
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Shiny’s nominator had the following to say:
“Shiny almost single-handedly drives change and improvement on the night duty. Shiny educates and drives uptake in the night duty cohort whenever we roll out a new QIP, or there is a network change. She is a true champion for continued professional development, process improvement, and the provision of safe care, excellence, and positivity. Shiny recognises that nursing has changed, and we now have a large cohort of earlier career nurses. She understands the need to support, mentor, guide, and advocate for early career nurses and those for whom they will provide care. Shiny creates a supportive, inclusive environment where staff feel safe and secure to learn and grow and always acts as a supportive resource for staff. She takes her educator and senior clinician role seriously and acts accordingly. Shiny includes and supports our casual (bank/pool) staff and encourages all staff to support them and embrace them as part of the Ward 2A family. She is well respected and viewed as a clinical resource by all staff. Shiny should be commended for her efforts in creating and maintaining a positive environment within the night duty team. She strives for and achieves excellence in clinical delivery. Her mentorship of staff undertaking the 2B Nurse in Charge professional development program is to be commended. “
Associate Nurse Unit Manager – Ward 1 West
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Sue’s nominator had the following to say:
“Sue is an exceptional nurse and a valuable member of the orthopaedic ward and team. She strives to implement positive change for patients on the orthopaedic ward and has been a key member in initiatives to improve outcomes for patients with hip fractures. Sue always fosters positivity, compassion, and respect in her patient care and the support she provides to her team.”
Physiotherapist – Lower West Ward, Williamstown
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Taka’s nominator had the following to say:
“Taka works diligently and shows kindness, compassion, and accountability for his work. He always aims for ‘best patient care’ and patient-centred care. He helped to lead and drive a patient-centred discharge home by working collaboratively with the Occupational Therapists (OT). Together with OT, Taka helped to directly discharge a patient home to his environment and avoid an extended stay in the hospital. The patient was wheelchair-bound and could not replicate his transfer set up in the hospital. A discharge home visit occurred, and the patient was reunited with his wife at home. The patient was very grateful for the hard work of Taka and OT colleagues. Taka helps make the Lower West Ward Nursing staff feel comfortable about providing ‘best care’ to orthopaedic patients. He is constantly providing feedback and praises/ encourages staff to feel empowered. Taka educates nursing staff and supports them to help drive cultural change with the implementation of enhanced recovery elective arthroplasty patients. Taka has been pivotal in ensuring nursing staff are trained and feel safe in assessing and reviewing patient’s post-standard knee arthroscopy with crutches. He took the initiative and saw areas of improvement to provide safe and effective education in a timely manner. “
Dietitian – Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Tamara’s nominator had the following to say:
“Tam is an EMR superuser who made sure all of the Western Health nutrition department was up to date with all of the changes for EMR 2.1. She not only made sure her own work area of Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s was up to date but also all of the dietitians across Western Health. Tam greatly supports everyone in the dietetics team, which is greatly appreciated.”
Occupational Therapist – Footscray Acute Team
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Tara’s nominator had the following to say:
“Tara embodies our CARES values. She always has a smile behind the mask and is the ultimate team player, offering assistance and regularly reshuffling to help the team pick up new Priority 1 referrals. Tara always aims for and can be relied upon to deliver a high standard of care. Additionally, she always seeks opportunities to expand her clinical skills and achieve the best patient outcomes.”
Occupational Therapist – RADU/2G, Sunshine Hospital
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Taylah’s nominator had the following to say:
“Upon her return from parental leave, Taylah joined the RADU allied health team and instantly had a positive impact. She has displayed exceptional leadership within the Team, supporting the Team within multidisciplinary team meetings to provide patient-centred ‘Best Care’ to every patient consistently. Taylah always strongly advocates for her patients to ensure they have the best outcomes possible, and she is always willing and able to support team members with whatever they may need. Taylah always brings a bright and bubbly attitude to her work and always looks for ways to improve the OT and wider RADU service to ensure the best experience for patients and colleagues. Taylah is highly respected by the Multidisciplinary Team for her flexibility, inquiring mind for improvement, and leadership. We are so lucky to have Taylah as part of our Team! “
Manager of Population Health Promotion – Western Public Health Unit
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Veronica’s nominator had the following to say:
“Veronica is a compassionate leader; she carefully seeks to know and understand each of the staff members within her team and actively acknowledges the things that are important to them, such as pets, hobbies, or their children’s names. She is a respectful and kind colleague and leader. She listens and carefully considers all suggestions made by her team. Veronica started “the jar,” where staff could post notes of victories and successes, big or small, that we would later read together, remember, learn from and celebrate. Aside from her leadership strengths, Veronica has shown boundless excellence in her work; she has brought together an impressive network of stakeholders from the ground up, building a collaboration network who are all equally inspired by her vision and are wholly on board with the important work that needs to be done in population health promotion. She has led her team to develop a significant piece of work that we are all so proud of the Population Health Promotion Catchment Plan. I look to Veronica with great admiration as a role model for female leadership. She works with clear and deep-seated values of respect, honesty, and compassion and achieves excellence in her work and in her team’s work.”
Manager, Employee Relations and Business Partnerships – People & Culture
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Yvette’s nominator had the following to say:
“Yvette has been nominated for her incredible work to finalise negotiations and implement the very complex Anaesthetists, Intensivists, and Cardiology Enterprise Agreements. Yvette engaged all internal and external stakeholders and worked collaboratively to meet all legal and industrial obligations. She engaged with senior leaders, affected employees, and payroll specialists to ensure that contracts were accurate, and the payroll system accommodated the many modifications in the system’s back end. The processes involved were unfamiliar to Yvette; however, she was determined to meet the many challenges this work provided, which was an enormous learning curve for her regardless of being very time-consuming and complex. Yvette delivered this work to an extremely high standard. Yvette has been outstanding in ensuring that she has a deep understanding of senior medical specialist craft agreement entitlements to ensure that when facilitating the renegotiation of the agreements, Western Health can be fair and consistent and that the agreements are implemented efficiently and correctly in a complex system. Yvette is the subject matter expert in Doctor agreement terms and conditions and provides excellent support for senior medical staff, demonstrating excellence, accountability, and respect.”
Patient Services Assistant (PSA) – Newborn Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Zebiba’s nominator had the following say:
“Zebiba is a valued member of the Newborn Services team. Often, we overlook the hard work and dedication the PSAs do. Zebiba is always positive. She has an excellent work ethic. No request is ever too much, and every task is carried out with a smile on her face. She respects staff and patients, which is especially important in the intensive care space where often emotions are running high, and the environment can be highly stressful. All of the equipment required is attended to in a timely manner, and Zebiba always ensures that our specialty cots are assembled correctly and safely for use. Zebiba takes pride in her work, which is demonstrated daily. She never leaves equipment behind for other staff to attend to and goes above and beyond to actively help where needed. It has been so refreshing to have Zebiba join the Newborn Services team. All staff and patients love her due to her hard work and kind nature. No request is ever too big. We would be lost without her!”
Occupational Therapist – Sunshine / Williamstown GEM
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Zoe’s nominator had the following to say:
“Zoe consistently provides exceptional leadership, compassion, and a positive “can-do” attitude. Zoe is active to assist in providing guidance to junior staff, facilitates a nurturing space for discussion, and assists in solving problems decisively while achieving sustainable solutions that support the values of ‘Best Care.’ Thank you, Zoe, for your outstanding resilience, flexibility, and kindness!!!”
Led by Jordan Casey
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
This team’s nominator had the following to say:
“I am in awe of the Wilim Berrbang Unit team members and the work they do to support consumers and the community each and every day. They navigate the hospital systems, mediate and advocate to reduce the potential for cultural shock and identify and eliminate potential areas for culturally unsafe care and situations. They advise and inform on policy and strategic planning to ensure a voice for the community and consumers. They support consumers in an institutional environment that is not always viewed as culturally safe, providing support to facilitate access to care to improve health outcomes. They work to actively support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers throughout their ED and Inpatient journeys by direct support and development of environments that are culturally safe and inclusive. The team educates administrative and clinical staff on the importance of asking the question, “Do you identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander?” so that consumers can have access to services and supports within and beyond their presentation/episode of care. They educate staff on how to support self-determination, what culturally safe care should look like, the significance of person-centred care, and how to be an Ally without negatively impacting autonomy. They are generous with their time, knowledge, and understanding, building rapport with wards and departments to increase their ability to advocate for consumers and the community. I have directly witnessed the benefit (as determined by the consumer) of a strong Aboriginal Health Unit and a network committed to being guided, led, and advised by that unit. The Team at Wilim Berrbang Unit is that unit, and Western Health has been that network. I am privileged to work at a time to witness the potential for positive change and look forward to improvements and gains as identified by the team at Wilim Berrbang and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
Wilim Berrbang Unit Team
Ward 2A Team
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator said:
“Ward 2A and the Aboriginal Health Unit team have collaborated to improve awareness and understanding of staff working on S2A of the indigenous patients on the ward. The purpose was to improve the physical environment, ensure patients were always asked if they identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and build effective and sustainable relationships between the Aboriginal Health Unit and the ward. In true collaboration, the S2A ward has been guided and led by the Aboriginal Health Unit, with all initiatives & strategies verified as culturally safe prior to implementation. Equally, the success of each intervention and the project would be determined by the Aboriginal Health Unit Manager, staff and Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Health Consumers and Community. This pilot program demonstrated the Western Health values of respect, compassion, and excellence. The project aims to ensure a respectful, culturally safe environment is created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and that they are treated with compassion and understanding. This pilot program strives for excellence in culturally appropriate care by educating and guiding staff on equity and equality of care for our indigenous population.”
Led by John Guinane – Head of Unit and Claire Long – Clinical Services Director
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“They are inclusive and respectful doctors who include, listen to, and are generous with their knowledge, skill, and ability. They consider the perspectives, concerns, and questions of the nursing staff. They respect nursing knowledge, skill, and experience and acknowledge them as professionals and colleagues. They advocate for the nursing team as and when requested or required. They acknowledge requests and provide comprehensive explanations and supports. The AAC Teams attend MDTs and support the purpose and benefit of such collaboration. They drive team decisions without having to control the narrative entirely. They clearly understand the role of other disciplines and respectfully and productively collaborate with them. The consultants are champions of the type of leadership that supports the development of junior doctors, assists with safe decision-making, and provides an opportunity for growth and advancement. We have a wonderful group of these amazing doctors on the ward. They are not only fabulous practitioners but are a joy to work with. They are fun, respectful, and kind having an inclusive approach to nurse/doctor professional relationships which support ‘Best Care’ and positive outcomes. Our Geriatricians and Geriatric Teams have wonderful bedside manners! They treat patients with kindness, patience, and respect. They are advocates for care that promotes dignity, supports cultural safety, and is person-centred. They include and help families and significant others. They always update and listen to families’ and carers’ concerns, and they provide information in language that is inclusive and devoid of medical jargon (without ever being patronising). They work to reduce poly pharmacy and unnecessary use of anti-psychotics; they consider the impact of the episode of care of post-discharge life and ensure services and supports are available by referral or referring to others. The above level of excellence does not exist in isolation of strong and supportive leadership.”
Led by Paula Lyons
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient’s family had the following to say about Ward 3 East Nursing staff:
“The nursing staff on Ward 3 East showed unbelievable respect, compassion, and care when dealing with my mother. You could tell that they had great empathy for the patient. They were gentle when dealing with her and spoke to her respectfully, explaining what they were doing even when unconscious. They were patient when she didn’t quite know what was happening. They were conscientious in cleaning and looking after Mum and the room. They kept trying different things to help her and went above their regular duties to ensure I was comfortable and looked after. They showed respect for my mother in how they treated her and showed concern for my brother and me in how they treated us. They treated each other with respect and worked together as a team. They showed a high standard of nursing care in how they dealt with my mother and were always interested in improving how they did their job and learning from one another. Positive Workplace- They were always polite and happy, creating a positive environment for all. I could see their care and respect for their patients and each other. I felt safe and comfortable knowing everyone was working in my mother’s best interests.”
Volunteers – Bacchus Marsh Hospital
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator said:
“This pool of community volunteers attends the Bacchus Marsh Volunteer Coordinator office daily. They ensure the residents who live alone within the Moorabool Shire community receive a weekly phone call to check on their welfare. When the volunteers’ phone the residents, they are always 100% present and actively listen to each person, giving them their full attention for 5 minutes or 25 minutes and following up on any stories they have previously shared, which fosters a positive and caring environment. Many residents look forward to this social contact and feel connected to their community, reducing their isolation. It has been humbling to hear the empathetic and compassionate way the volunteers communicate with the residents and see the connection they have developed through weekly conversations.”
Thileepan Naren, Thomas Jones and Team – Addiction Medicines
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient had the following to say about this team:
“I am a 54-year-old woman who, for over 25 years, had an addiction to prescribed medications. I was placed on the opioid substitute program and became strongly addicted to suboxone. I abused the suboxone and took over the prescribed amount for some months. I became aware that I was going to become a grandmother for the first time, which prompted me to want to better myself. I decided to stop taking the large amounts of suboxone abruptly, which caused me to experience a rapid withdrawal from the drug. On day 4, I was taken via ambulance to Western Health Sunshine Hospital and was under the care of Dr. Thileepan & the Addictive Medicines team. The state I was in on arrival, before meeting Dr Naren & team, was the worst one I have ever been in! They demonstrated unbelievable compassion for my story of medicine addiction. The kindness and understanding encouraged me to openly and honestly tell my addiction story for the first time in over 25 years. I will be forever grateful to have been given such encouragement! Dr. Naren and the team were extremely respectful of my wishes to be weaned off suboxone in a short time and presented me with a couple of options on how to achieve this. They demonstrated respect when asking and answering questions in a nonjudgemental fashion. Throughout my entire experience, Dr. Naren and the team supported me by addressing and arranging my withdrawal plan. I now feel I have been given many new and exciting opportunities to live life like a normal person. I no longer feel the shame or guilt of looking my family and loved ones in the eye. My family and I cannot thank these very sincere men and women. Words do not seem to be enough.”
Led by Sarah Bunting
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“The staff in Ward 1A are very compassionate towards their patients. The amount of compliment feedback forms they receive regularly is proof. The Nursing Staff, the Associate Nurse Unit Manager team, and the Nurse Unit Manager are all fantastic at what they do and provide excellence in patient care daily. Being a busy, short stay ward, there is always a lot of movement, with new patients always arriving. The way they continue to care for the patients in this busy environment and their compassion makes a difference.”
Sleep, Respiratory & Neurology Laboratories and Administration Team
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator said:
“Carlos, with the support of the Medical Diagnostics team, has gone above and beyond to ensure a high level of care for our patients within Western Health and the community. Despite COVID’s challenges and changes, they have shown perseverance and a ‘can-do’ attitude. Carlos and his team of scientists, nurses, and administrative staff have demonstrated multiple examples of excellence in maintaining high standards of care within a very busy and niche department. Over the last 12 months, the sleep disorders unit has reopened all points of care to enable overnight sleep studies to continue since closing due to the COVID surge. All the while undergoing and passing their accreditation with flying colours. The Respiratory laboratory is underway to complete its accreditation while managing COVID and EMR phase 2.1. The team continues to provide support and education for our inpatient teams and patients by visiting ward areas and converting all CPAP filters to improve and minimise infectious risks to our staff and patients. The administration team works closely to support all laboratories. Despite ongoing workforce challenges, they keep all the wheels turning to support staff and continue services for patients. Together, the team continues to explore new ways to ensure an efficient, safe, and quality service and review ways to create better access to services for our community. Carlos, with the support of his teams, has played a crucial role in advocating and planning all medical diagnostic services in the New Footscray Hospital Project while keeping patients the primary focus. While this team may not always be a known or familiar service to all within Western Health, their hard work and contribution to our organisation and patients have huge impacts. Nominated for excellence in patient care daily and for their compassion for their patients.”
Colin Choi, Mr Nezor Houli and the UGIG team, 3 East Nursing Staff and Footscray Radiology Team
Colin Choi, Nezor Houli and the UGIG Team
Footscray Radiology Team
Ward 3 East Nursing Team
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“The UGIG team, Radiology team, and Nursing staff on Ward 3 East have provided outstanding ‘teamwork and collaboration’ to provide ongoing and continued care to a young 39-year-old man who has had a long and complicated admission for a chronic and highly complex condition requiring multiple surgeries and care which has been provided for now for over 325 days and continues currently. With the many and varied complicated surgeries, the ward staff managed eight separate drain tubes, multiple IV lines, and the empathy required for a man with understandably fragile mental health. He also needed multiple trips to Interventional Radiology/CT & X-ray and numerous multi-departmental discussions to coordinate his care and agree on the best treatment options. Witnessing firsthand the outstanding teamwork shown by all in caring for this patient makes me incredibly proud to work at Western Health.”
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
A patient said the following about the Footscray ICU team:
“I was flown to Western Health Footscray and admitted to ICU. The team was amazing, always letting me know what they were doing and why. The nurses ensured that I was comfortable and understood what was happening. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and I cannot thank them enough for their care and compassion during my time there.”
Joanne Ranson, Rita Sanfilippo and Thy Tran – Sunshine Radiology
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“This team is helpful, enthusiastic, and committed to providing timely appointments and ensuring that patients receive clear and reassuring information at the time of booking. They listen to the patient’s needs and adapt timings accordingly, always with a smile. They make a stressful situation manageable despite multiple demands placed upon them. They go out of their way to ensure that each patient is scheduled appropriately, which is no small task when multiple tests are required. “
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“The Footscray Transit Lounge Team has done an amazing job setting up a unit to facilitate timely patient access to ward beds in collaboration with the Access Team, Emergency Department, and Wards. Despite a small team of Nurses, a RUSON, a pharmacist, PSAs, and Administration staff, the team has demonstrated innovation and proactiveness in trialing different models of care, consistently delivering a “can do” attitude. They value the patients’ experience and safety, ensuring they are as prepared as possible for their discharge home and ensuring risks identified on admissions are communicated to the receiving wards, enabling them to have strategies in place to reduce those risks. They have shown empathy and compassion for patients who, for example, have been anxious about their discharge home or awaiting their surgery/procedure. They ensure patients’ care needs are met respectfully. They help each other and those around them by working as a whole team, thus supporting a positive workplace environment. “
Louise Palermo, Debbie Ryan and Team
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator said:
“What did we do before we had the wonderful Logistics team of Louise and Debbie?! No matter the request, big or small, Louise and Debbie always respond promptly and are always happy to help. Their communication is always clear, and if it’s not an area they can help with, they will always support you to find the person who can. The work of Louise, Debbie, and the team helps make staff feel valued at work and greatly reduces the stress when office moves occur. We feel like we can focus on helping our patients because Louise and Debbie are there to help us navigate all the other things.”
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“This team works tirelessly behind the scenes, supporting staff and managers and ensuring the organisation meets its employer relations obligations. Over the past year, their workload increased significantly, and six EBAs landed at the same time, each with complex changes. This team worked extraordinary hours to ensure each staff member benefitted from the EBA changes. Their workload increased as they now support Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Mental Health Services. These new services have very different EBAs that this team has had to familiarise themselves with, ensuring our newly acquired staff have the correct pay rates, classifications, and benefits.”
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator had the following to say:
“Western Health has grown 82% over the past five years, and this team works tirelessly to support the Western Health growth strategy. Joe and his team have navigated through a particularly busy year, onboarding over 2,500 new employees and supporting the amalgamation with Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Mental Health teams. The Mental Health transition was challenging as a Masterfile was uploaded from RMH to Western Health and needed to be individually verified for accuracy, ensuring our new employees were paid correctly. In addition, Joe and his team had to create changes that occurred simultaneously in six different Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs). Each EBA had multiple levels of change. To ensure Western Health staff benefitted from these changes, this team worked tirelessly to ensure all these changes were captured.”
Kirsty Barnes, Brad Roberg, Tessa Johnson and the Project Implementation Team
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Their nominator said:
“The Justice Health Transition team was able to recruit 96 percent of the workforce before services began at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC) in a climate where attracting and retaining healthcare workers can be difficult. They provided a comprehensive and team-based orientation, including specialist and local emergency management training. Feedback was very positive regarding the induction process and the interactions between the health team staff and prisoners – right from the start. An officer at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre recently asked a woman why she was smiling when she walked out of her health centre appointment, and the patient replied: ‘I’ve just had the best doctor’s appointment I’ve ever had.’ Katelyn provided care within Marrmak, and one of the staff said: “I just want to cry; we’ve been asking for a nurse to take bloods here for so long.” Another woman said: “I thought you were lying the other week when you said you had an endocrinologist, but I’ve just seen them, and it was great.” The Department of Justice Community Safety Clinical Governance team said there was a really good feel in the health centre when they walked in. The Transition team, combined with the new Justice Health team on the ground, have exemplified Western Health’s values in many ways, including meeting with the women and Corrections Victoria to understand the needs within the prison environment and the personal needs of the women. They always maintained an openness to learning, allowing stakeholders to inform the Model of Care. They ensured that staff were oriented to all aspects of the role before starting and led by example through the transition, being present, available, and solution focused. An incredible amount of hard work by the Justice Health team has developed a comprehensive model of care. This would not have been possible without the support of a great medical and administrative team. The women of Dame Phyllis Frost Centre are now benefitting from these combined efforts.”
Senior Dietitian – Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Her nominator had the following to say:
“Allison has been a highly valued member of the Nutrition department for many years and has made significant contributions to Western Health, including supporting the Nutrition Nurse Champions and mentoring many dietitians. Since late 2022, Allison has been the Project Dietitian to improve the dining experience for residents at Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care Services. Her work in this role illustrates how Allison lives the Western Health values in her work and how she truly demonstrates and succeeds in fostering a positive workplace to improve patient/resident care. The dining experience is a combination of the food and drinks provided, the service, and the atmosphere. This experience impacts a resident’s quality of life and wellbeing. Getting the dining experience right includes understanding residents’ meal preferences, supporting choice, creating mealtimes that respect consumer dignity and choice, and involving each resident in the planning of their dining experience.
The Grant Lodge Nutrition project proposed to develop and implement a framework to optimise food and nutrition outcomes for residents at Grant Lodge. Despite many improvements to the physical environment of the resident dining room, many residents were still eating meals in their rooms, staff saw meal times as a burden, a resident survey showed low ratings of the meals and dining experience, and the menu had not changed for many years. In less than six months, Allison has led and implemented such a remarkable change to the dining experience that the residents, carers, and advocates have now called a ‘Dining Revolution’. It surpasses the requirements of the Aged Care Quality Standards (Accountability) by innovation and pioneering empowerment for our residents. Allison’s high work standard and inclusive attitude have engaged staff, residents, and carers in this improvement. Her positive engagement and role modelling have set a standard of care to shift mealtimes from being task-focused to a positive time for residents to socialise and enjoy meals together. The team approach ensures that cooks, food services staff, nursing staff, and dietitians work together with the residents to deliver an enjoyable dining experience.
Allison is highly compassionate and takes the time to listen to every resident’s story about food and eating. She then translates this into meal preferences that are safe and respectful for the individual. The residents feel their voice is heard to get the care they need through meals and nutrition. Independence and dignity have been brought back to the dining room by educating nursing staff on feeding assistance techniques, making it a safer and more respectful dining environment.
The demonstration of her work’s excellence, compassion, and accountability can be best summed up by a quote from a resident advocate: “What an awesome morning in ‘The Haven’. The enthusiasm of our Elders was palpable. You’re piloting a power shift through food. It’s wonderful for those who are cognisant to be respected, have their opinions sought, and be treated as equals. It empowers them and creates a feeling of wholeness and wellbeing. It also moves us all to a perception of shared values and common goals. It especially enhances self-esteem because these Elders can now be conscious that they represent those less fortunate, less cognisant at Grant Lodge – it’s a social responsibility that they are capable of shouldering and sharing- that’s what communities do. It was wonderful to hear the participant’s comments and watch their body language signaling how positive and engaged they felt. Food is Fantastic. But you know that. Congratulations.”
Perinatal Loss Coordinator – Maternity Services
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Judy received two nominations for an Inspire Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
“I first met Judy at the end of 2022, and since then, our paths have crossed frequently due to the unfortunate and sometimes tragic nature of perinatal/neonatal loss. In a time where there should be much celebration and joy surrounding pregnancy and birth, Judy has brought warmth, compassion, and generosity as she has journeyed with families through life-limiting diagnoses (in the fetal-maternal space) and perinatal loss. Her calm presence and ‘nothing-is-too-hard’ attitude have given families much comfort during emotionally challenging times, sometimes coming into work out of hours due to the rapport she has built with these families – speaking to the excellence she strives for in her work. Her wealth of knowledge about the practicalities of end-of-life care (e.g., how much a funeral costs) has been helpful for clinicians/families. She has organised donations of equipment from her community circles to supplement the needs of some of our families. She is quick to share her experience and knowledge with other staff members, and when clinical acuity is high, she can often be seen carrying out tasks on the floor and always has a kind word for people in the workplace.”
Nomination 2:
“Judith has supported families who have lost their baby/foetus in maternity and Newborn Services. She has gone well beyond her duty of care to support families of babies receiving palliative care, calling and visiting them and providing support. She is always available to the Newborn services team to support parents and palliation.”
Education Coordinator – Footscray and Williamstown Education
PICTURE CREDIT : Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com
Christine received four nominations for an Inspire Award. Here is what her nominators had to say:
Nomination 1:
“Christine is a very positive leader and manager. We have social events, celebrate monthly birthday brunch, and bring finger food, creating a positive work environment. Christine is very empathetic and understanding of employees with medical conditions or sick family members. She encourages us to upskill and pursue further education (post-graduate education) and career progression, allowing us to work flexible working days and hours. Christine cares about our wellbeing and keeps us accountable by ensuring that we go home on time and don’t check emails on weekends.”
Nomination 2:
“Christine has been an inspiration since I started as a clinical support nurse in Footscray education. She exemplifies the values of Western Health and truly shows her care for her staff and the organisation. Christine has worked on making our team culture more positive and even did a stress test on the team members to identify areas to improve. She does regular check-ins with each of us to help support us in our career progression and offers support wherever necessary. The team is high functioning as we have a great role model in Christine, who inspires excellence in all our output for education, making changes in how we deliver education. We are continuously improving due to Christine’s leadership.”
Nomination 3:
“Christine is a great leader; she always tries to make the workplace a positive environment and asks for feedback and advice to keep improving our workplace. She is proactive in encouraging her staff to excel in education and promotes education with a great passion- she thrives to achieve excellence within her staff. Christine always reminds us of safety concerns/updates in the hospital and how to better protect ourselves throughout COVID outbreaks. She is very supportive and has great compassion when there are increased stresses at home or when you are unwell.”
Nomination 4:
“Christine has organised team-building sessions focusing on behaviours and ways to improve teamwork and staff outcomes, demonstrating that she holds herself accountable for her team’s behaviours and emotional well-being. Christine also holds morning huddles daily to ensure our team is keeping ourselves accountable. Christine holds individual meetings every six weeks to check in with her team members, which shows me she respects us all as individuals, taking the time for each member of the team. Christine also gives her staff a high level of autonomy with things like flexi starts and days, which shows respect for different individual needs. Christine holds regular education for the educator sessions to ensure the education team delivers a high standard of excellence to staff. Christine fosters an extremely positive workplace. She demonstrates the CARES values each and every day and is a big supporter of debriefing and emotional well-being. Her morning huddles create a strong teamwork mentality and ensure the team is updated with Western Health news. She is an incredibly approachable manager, and I feel extremely lucky to have this opportunity to work with her.”
Glen Andipas – Patient Service Assistant (PSA) / Orderly – Sunshine Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab
Glen Andipas
Zebiba Musedik – Patient Services Assistant – Newborn Services
Zebiba Musedik
3 East Multidisciplinary Team – Colin Choi, Mr Nezor Houli and the UGIG team, 3East Nursing Staff and Footscray Radiology team
Colin Choi, Mr Nezor Houli and the UGIG Team
3 East Nursing Team
Footscray Radiology Team
PICTURE CREDIT: Penny Stephens – www.bypennystephens.com