Metro North staff excellence shines bright at annual awards

Staff from across Metro North recently came together for a glittering awards night, sponsored by Presenting Partner QSuper, LeasePLUS Group, QBank, Westpac, Bond University, Statewide Novated Leasing, RBWH Foundation, and Event Theming Partner The Prop House.

Metro North Health Acting Chief Executive Nick Steele said the awards reflect the hard work and dedication of staff from across the health service.

“We know that fantastic work is happening right across Metro North Health every day. The awards recognise some of our best staff and team achievements in 2025 and the record number of nominations reflects our culture,” Mr Steele said.

“I extend my congratulations to our winners, those highly commended and everybody who was nominated.”

This year’s awards saw more than 72 finalists drawn from 572 nominations, with congratulations to the following winners and those highly commended.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Award

• WINNER—Andrew Williams, Metro North
  Played an instrumental role in delivering Metro North’s anti-racism campaign to create safer spaces for staff and consumers.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—Rayna Cowburn, Metro North
  strengthening relationships with Traditional Owners and advancing Metro North’s health equity journey.

Chief Executive’s Award

• Dr Liz Kenny—RBWH

Emerging Leaders Award

• WINNER—Peter Hancock, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS)
  For fostering trust, empathy and growth in others as Nurse Unit Manager of Outpatients.

• 

  RBWH Oncologist Professor Liz Kenny received the Chief Executive’s Award

  HIGHLY COMMENDED—Lisa Blyth, RBWH
  For delivering dignified care and empowering colleagues in leading the Metro North
  Voluntary Assisted Dying Service.

Excellence in Integrated Care Award

• WINNER—Dr Cameron Mackay and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Team, RBWH

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—Acute Patient Assessment for Care in the Home Environment (APACHE) team, Community and Oral Health

Excellence in Consumer Partnerships Award

• WINNER—HELIX Consumer Community – removing obstacles to consumer partnerships in innovation, HELIX Hub, Metro North

Excellence in Performance Award

• WINNER—Tia Kemp, Clinical Nurse Consultant, RBWH
  For uniting staff around patient-centred care in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team.

Excellence in Training and Education Award

• WINNER—Nuclear Medicine Scientist Education Team, RBWH
  For driving state-wide transformation in nuclear medicine education, safety, and standards.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—James Hoey, Mental Health
  For modernising alcohol and drug training for health workers across Queensland.

Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Award

• WINNER—Heart Outreach Program for Health Equity (HOPE), Metro North.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—Anti-racism Working Group, Metro North.

Innovation Award

• WINNER—Transforming Vascular Surgery: The Power of 3D Printing and Realistic Patient-Matched Simulation, HBI/RBWH Vascular Surgery Team.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—’Stop Racism. It Starts With Me’, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anti-Racism Policy and Campaign, Metro North

Leadership in Action Award

• WINNER—Dr Cameron Mackay, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Team, RBWH.

Non-clinical Excellence in Operations

• WINNER—Serving up Kindness and Care, Patient Food Services Team, RBWH.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—Multifaceted approach to Environmental Sustainability in Food Services, Dietetics and Food Services Team, Caboolture Hospital

• HIGHLY COMMENDED— How Great Graphic Design Invites Engagement and Action, Mary Phillips, Metro North.

People Focus

• WINNER—Older Person Emergency Network Fracture Clinic, Metro North
  For delivering excellence in emergency care to older people at home.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—People focused, Quality Driven, Team 6A, STARS
  For providing outstanding geriatric care rooted in compassion and respect.

RBWH Foundation Impact Award

• WINNER—Monica Ng, RBWH
  For promoting grant programs, reviewing applications, participating in referral initiatives, and leading fundraising efforts.

Safety and Quality

• WINNER—Triad of Dementia Care initiative. measurable and meaningful outcomes for patients, staff, and families, Cognitive Assessment Unit and the Dementia and Delirium Service, The Prince Charles Hospital

Values in Action

• WINNER—Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team, RBWH
  For delivering life-changing care through their innovative Centre for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery model.

• HIGHLY COMMENDED—Michael Wilson, RBWH
  For his leadership as Chair of Pride in Metro North, which has built a peer network that fosters an inclusive, safe workplace and improved care for LGBTQIA+ patients.