Showcase highlights talented oral and community health stars

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A total of 24 teams and individuals were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to community and oral health care at a recent awards ceremony held at Brighton Health Campus.

Community and Oral Health (COH) Executive Director Glynis Schultz said it was truly amazing to be able announce so many outstanding and deserving staff for outstanding achievements in patient care, research, innovation, teamwork, performance and support.

“With more than 160 nominations and around 50 finalists for our COH Staff Excellence Awards this year, this says a lot about the people who make up the COH community,” Glynis said.

“This year’s finalists typified the amazing expertise, compassion and innovation at COH and the care being delivered at home, in nursing homes, at community facilities or at local oral health clinics.

“These awards celebrate clinical, non-clinical and operational individuals and teams for outstanding achievements in performance, compassion, partnerships, education, health equity and living our values.”

Staff from across more than 30 health care facilities in Moreton Bay and north Brisbane came together for the 2026 COH Staff Excellence Awards.

Metro North Health Board Chair Bernard Currin and Chief Executive Nick Steele joined staff to celebrate the achievements of this year’s finalists and award recipients.

Thank you to awards sponsors QSuper for their support in celebrating staff excellence at COH.

Community-based and oral health care is a vital part of Metro North Health’s ability to meet increasing demand.

COH provides more than 250,000 patient appointments or visits in the home, at our oral health clinics, health facilities, mobile dental vans and bedded services, as well as to residents at our residential aged and disability care facilities.

Congratulations to all the winners, highly commended recipients and finalists.

Values in Action

Dual Winner – Shandel Lea Thomas-Clark, Acting Principal Dental Assistant, School Dental Service
Dual Winner – Tracey Lea, Senior Administration Officer, Facility Services

Excellence in Performance

Dual Winner – Dr Pallavi Bansal, Clinical Director, Rehabilitation
Dual Winner – Matt Smith, Manager, Building, Engineering and Maintenance Services

Improving First Nations Health

Winner – Justin Roby, Cultural Capability Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Highly Commended – Deadly Smiles, School Dental Service

Leadership

Dual Winner – Dr Padmini Menon, Acting Director, Community Palliative Care Service
Dual Winner – Natasha Eaton, Nurse Educator, COH Education
Highly Commended – Michael Bishop, Nursing Director, Extended Care

Culture and Wellbeing Award

Dual Winner – Dr Katie Tran, Director, Metro North Oral Health Services
Dual Winner – Mary Jacobsen, Acting Medical Appointments Officer, Medical Services
Highly Commended – Dr Elyshia Gray, Senior Medical Officer, Brighton GEM Service

People Focus

Dual Winner – Dr Bill Lukin, Medical Lead, Comfort Care Bundle for the Frail
Dual Winner – Fluoride Varnish Program, School Dental Service
Highly Commended – Vulnerable Peoples Oral Health Program, General Practice Oral Health Services, Metro North Oral Health Service
Highly Commended – Kathleen Ryan, Nurse Navigator, Norfolk Island Support Program

Supporting Excellence in Care

Dual Winner – Dr Michael Du Plessis, Medical Education Registrar, Medical Services
Dual Winner – Stephen Clark, Principal Project Officer, Clinical Operations

COH Connecting Care Champion Award Winners

Minh Le, Senior Dental Technician, Sandgate Dental Clinic
Fiona Wilson and Anna Grasso, Administration Officers, Nundah Community Health Centre
Joel Dayanan, Patient Support Officer, Patient Services

Excellence in Innovation, Research and Clinical Improvement

Winner – Dr Julian De Looze, Clinical Director, Hospital in the Home
Highly Commended – One Front Door – Sarah Scott, Jessica Linnan, Jessica Nolan, Emily Merton and Mary Wheeldon