Recognising the dedication of our community and oral health staff

Metro North’s Community and Oral Health has celebrated the work of around 50 oral health and community healthcare workers who combined have delivered more than 1,000 years of patient care.

The staff, including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, dentists, dental technicians and assistants, and operational and administrative staff were among those recognised at this year’s Community and Oral Health (COH) Length of Service Awards.

COH Executive Director Glynis Schultz acknowledged that during their service these staff had committed their precious time to serve others.

“This is highly commendable and certainly worth celebrating,” she said.

“The value of this commitment is reflected not just in years served but in the many patient stories and feedback that acknowledge the high standard of care across all staff groups and services.

“The list of award recipients is reflective of the broad range of work and careers that people perform across our school, mobile, bedded services, community clinics and home visiting services each day.

“Each role is equally important and recognising the contribution of all staff across the service is critical to the positive culture and care we deliver to children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

“Their work serving people in the community helps people live their best, healthiest and most comfortable lives at home or in the community.”

COH staff were eligible for recognition in the awards generally after serving a qualifying period of 10 years at Metro North Health.

“For our oral health staff, we recognised staff who had been providing service from five to 40 years of service during the recent professional development day,” Glynis said.

“For community staff a smaller ceremony was held at the Brighton Wellness Hub and online to thank staff twenty staff who had reached the milestone of 25, 30, 35 or 40 years of service.

“From all of us at COH, I commend our staff on their combined efforts to improving health services across our community.”

Two of our longest standing length of service recipients this year included Senior Medical Officer Dr Kathryn Pugh and Nursing Director Maria Podger.

Combined these two talented individuals have contributed close to 100 years toward patient care.

Kathryn began her career at the Princess Alexandria Hospital and Maria at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital many decades ago and agreed that knowing that they were contributing to patient care was the most important outcomes of their careers.

Additional acknowledgement ceremonies will also occur for community staff who have reached a 10, 15 or 20 year milestone.