Tanya Beaumont, Acting Executive Director
What an amazing few days across Community and Oral Health with our Administration Professionals Day and International Nurses Day awards!
While there is a lot going on around COH, today I just want to focus on these awards, and all of our successful and deserving award winners.
Community and Oral Health Administration Professionals Day Award Winners
Thank you to the panel of judges for their time working through the 70 nominations – it was a difficult choice with anyone of the 50 staff possibly receiving awards.
Following is a list of the winners and dual winners and reasons why they were acknowledged:
Early COH Career Administration Officer of the Year – Dual Winners
- Tasman Rogers, Administration Officer, Medical Services – For multiple nominations and her strong work ethic, proactive approach to her work and willingness to go above and beyond.
- Sophie Sawyer, Acting Practice Manager, Childrens Oral Health Service – For demonstrating a high standard of leadership of a team which has effectively brought down recall and wait lists.
Values in Action – Respect
- Laura-Kate Paterson, Administration Support Officer, Home Hospital – For being a role model who at all times and interactions demonstrates respect for people of all backgrounds.
Values in Action – Integrity Dual Winners
- Julie Mackie, Administration Officer, Oral Health Caboolture – For radiating compassion for patients and staff alike by always smiling, helping and providing a supportive word and ear when needed.
- Kirstene Monro, Executive Support Officer – For being extremely organised and focused on continuously learning and developing best practice to enable Corporate Services to manage activities efficiently and effectively.
Values in Action – Compassion Dual Winners
- Amy Winnett, Administration Officer, Community-Based Rehabilitation Team – For being considerate and kind in her everyday work which supports clinicians, clients and peers feel valued and deliver quality and responsive care.
Values in Action – High Performance Dual Winners
- Melinda Kiss, Administration Officer, Central Patient Intake Unit – For a strong attention to detail and strong communication skills with the clinicians which improves the patient referral management journey.
- Shannon Russell, Administration Officer, Brighton Health Campus – For multiple nominations and her immense resilience, efficiency and professionalism during significant change.
Values in Action – Teamwork Dual Winners
- Jodie Blaik, Administration Officer, Post Acute Care Service – For being nominated multiple times, and being described as the ultimate team player who is informative, helpful, supportive and always on hand.
- Katrina Tims, Administrative Officer, Referral and Navigation – For multiple nominations, and being described as a breath of fresh air, who is always pleasant and ensures the smooth running of the team.
Community and Oral Health International Nurses Day Award Winners
Our Nurses. Our Future.
Our nurses are the heartbeat of health care, and each year Community and Oral Health acknowledges the valuable roles each play in the care of our patients and residents.
In 2024, there were a numbers of Nurse of the Year award ceremonies at key sites.
These were led by the Metro North Health Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alanna Geary with A/Director of Nursing Michael Bishop.
Following are the deserving winners of the COH Nursing Awards:
Community and Oral Health Nurse of the Year
- Lorna Grennan, Clinical Nurse, The Halwyn Centre – For providing holistic care for our clients with a disability.
Registered Nurse of the Year
- Rina Waller, Registered Nurse, Complex Chronic Disease Team – For her excellence in education, mentoring and her utmost support of patients and staff alike.
Nursing Leader of the Year
- Rebecca Boparai, Nurse Practitioner, Diabetes Service – For being a true and highly respected professional and leader in her field.
Enrolled Nurse of the Year
- Melissa McCrone, Enrolled Nurse, Community Transition Care Program – For striving to deliver clinical excellence at all times and being an absolute champion who leaves no stone unturned for patient care and staff support.
Assistant Nurse of the Year
- Fou Fili, Assistant in Nursing, Gannet House – For being such an amazing human being, who delivers such a high standard of work and ensures that all her residents are looked after.
Highly Commended Awards
- Eleanor Thompson, Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant, Rapid Access to Community Care – Nurse Leader of the Year
- Charlott Wooton, Registered Nurse, Gannet House – Registered Nurse of the Year
- Laxmi Gautam, Enrolled Nurse, Gannet House – Enrolled Nurse of the Year
- Siddhiben Patel, Assistant in Nursing, Gannet House – Assistant Nurse of the Year
Tanya.