Murrumbidgee Health District celebrates quiet achievers who are making a difference

The winners of the 2023 Murrumbidgee Local Health District Excellence Awards. Photo: MLHD.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) honoured its health professionals and volunteers who are making a difference every day to the people in the region.

The MLHD Excellence Awards night was held on Friday (16 June) at the Range Function Centre, attended by more than 200 staff and guests.

The awards received 84 nominations across 15 categories.

MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford said the awards celebrated the achievements of individuals and teams for their commitment to improving the lives of others and the pursuit of excellence.

“It’s been such an honour to celebrate so many high-calibre nominees this year,” Ms Ludford said.

“It’s rewarding to see the number of activities happening across our district with sincere efforts to support our First Nations communities.”

Ms Ludford said it was a pleasure to present the Staff Member of the Year Award to Nigel Smith, who, in the past 12 months, had been instrumental in the implementation of the Aboriginal Mental Health and Welling Strategy.

MLHD interim board chair Adrian Lindner congratulated the winners for their contributions.

“It is a pleasure to be able to pay tribute to our award winners, who are working hard every day to make a difference in the lives of people in our region,” Mr Lindner said.

“At tonight’s ceremony, we have seen example after example of MLHD staff and volunteers who embody the values of excellence, innovation and collaboration, which help improve the lives of people in their care.”

Winner of the Enhancing People and Culture Award - School-Based Traineeship Program. Sponsor Rashid Hasmi from UNSW Training Hub presents Charmaine Marshall and Laura Strano with the award. Photos: Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

Board chair Adrian Lindner (right) presents the Remote Medical Consultation Service team with the Board's Choice Award.

Winner of the Exceptional Aboriginal Healthcare Award, the Murrumbidgee Out of Home Care Cultural Events team, receives the award from board director Aunty Cheryl Penrith.

Winner of the Chief Executive Choice Award, the Orthopaedic Ward Strong Bones Strong Staff.

Nigel Smith receives the Staff Member of the Year Award from sponsor Fran Trench from the University of Notre Dame Riverina Rural Training Hub and MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford.

MLHD director of nursing and midwifery Christine Stephens presents the Nurse/Midwife of the Year Award to Rebecca Stimson.

Winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award, Finley LHAC chair Syd Dudley, with MLHD CEO Jill Ludford.

MLHD director allied health and integrated care Emma Field presents the Allied Health Staff Member of the Year Award to Brianna Chown.

Sponsor Lisa Connors from Rural Health Pro presents Veronica Scriven with the Digital Innovation Award for Establishing Mobile BreastScreen Assessment Services.

Winner of the Chief Executive Choice Award, The Murrumbidgee Model - Murrumbidgee Rural Generalist Training Pathway. Pictured with chief executive Jill Ludford (right) are Emma Beanland and Dr Alam Yoosuff.

Winner of the Environmental and Sustainability Award - Virtual Physiotherapy Service. Board directors Glenys Ingram and Dr Alam Yoosuff present the team with the award.

Winner of the Keeping People Healthy Award - Saving Sight is our Vision. Sponsor Narelle Mills from the MPHN presents the team with the award.

Winner of the Research and Innovation Award - Magseed technology improving breast cancer surgery. Sponsor Richard Cheney from Agency for Clinical Innovation presents Dr Kate Fitzgerald and Kaye Mossman with the award.

Winner of the Patient Safety First Award - Waterline Maintenance and Testing Regime (Oral Health).Board director Elke Clevedon (left) and Tony Kolbe (right) present the team with the award.

Winner of the Enriching Consumer Experience Award, Day Only Total Hip Replacement Surgery.

Award Winners

Enriching Consumer Experience
Day Only Total Hip Replacement Program

Value Based Healthcare
MLHD Emergency to Community Initiative (program contributes towards Growing Our Own strategy to attract and retain a skilled health workforce in our region, with a specific focus on young Aboriginal students developing industry-ready skills into health careers.

Exceptional Aboriginal Healthcare
Murrumbidgee Out of Home Care Pathway

Patient Safety First
Waterline Maintenance and Testing Regime: Reducing Biofilm

Innovation and Health Research
Magseed technology improving breast cancer surgery

Keeping People Healthy
Saving sight is our vision! (An ophthalmology project to improve access to eye care services for Indigenous people living in the western reaches of the District).

Digital Innovation
Establishing Mobile BreastScreen Assessments

Sustainability and Environment
Virtual physiotherapy service

Enhancing People and Culture
MLHD School-Based Trainees

Allied Health Staff Member of the Year
Brianna Chown, Allied Health Assistant, Temora District Hospital

Nurse or Midwife of the Year
Rebecca Stimson, Registered Midwife/Clinical Midwifery Educator, Temora District
Hospital

Volunteer of the Year
Syd Dudley, LHAC chair, Finley

Staff Member of the Year
Nigel Smith, MHDA services coordinator for Aboriginal Peoples

Chief Executive’s Choice Award
Murrumbidgee Rural Generalist Training Pathway (MRGTP)
Strong Bones Strong Staff (Orthopaedic Ward – WWBH)

Board Chair’s Choice Award
Rural Medical Consultation Service