Winners Celebrated At Health Excellence Awards

Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) celebrated the outstanding contribution of health professionals and volunteers from across the region at the 2024 MLHD Excellence Awards.

MLHD Board Chair Adrian Lindner paid tribute to the finalists and award winners for their tremendous contributions at the ceremony on Friday, June 14, which was attended by more than 300 staff and guests.

“Our staff work hard every day to make a difference to 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.

“It has been such a privilege to witness the great work they do every day.”

Winners were announced in 13 award categories.

The evening culminated in the presentation of the Chief Executive’s Choice Award and the Board Chair’s Choice Award.

“MLHD Chief Executive Jill Ludford said it was a great honour to celebrate winners and finalists this year.

“It was a real showcase of great strengths and achievements, and a credit to our staff who have adapted and overcome obstacles to continue to deliver high quality health care to people at every corner of our district.”

Many of the awards were presented to individuals and teams who are making a difference in the lives of rural and regional people by delivering innovative programs which are improving access and pathways to care.

“It was an enormous pleasure to present the Outreach Heart Failure Diagnostic Clinic with my Chief Executive Choice Award,” Ms Ludford said.

“The clinic ensures patients in rural and remote Murrumbidgee, who are identified at risk of heart failure, have timely, affordable access to screening and diagnostic assessment including echocardiography.”

The Enriching Consumer Experience Award was presented to an exercise program in Culcairn which has had a positive impact on the quality of life and emotional wellbeing of residents at the Multipurpose Service.

The Exceptional Aboriginal Healthcare Award went to the BreastScreen team for collaborating with local Aboriginal organisations to increase the screening rates for Aboriginal women and closing the gap.

Winner of the Keeping People Healthy Award was Beat the Bite, a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy for mosquito management and mosquito-borne disease prevention, which included an educational kit with a children’s storybook to schools and local councils.

The MLHD Pharmacy team was awarded the Enhancing People and Culture Award for their work in improving staff retention by working collaboratively to position MLHD as an employer of choice in their profession.

Category winners are:

• Enriching Consumer Experience Award - Fun, fitness and friendship at the gym (Culcairn MPS).

• Exceptional Aboriginal Healthcare Award - Aboriginal led invitations and bras lift breast screen participation.

• Patient Safety First Award - Dialysis access surveillance and management.

• Health Research Award - Acute Coronary Syndrome Pathway Intervention Times.

• Keeping People Healthy Award - Beat the Bite: engaging children and community.

• Digital INnovation Award - Contact Centre Web Chat Dental Services.

• Enhancing People and Culture Award - Improving staff retention through culture and innovation.

• Allied Health Staff Member of the Year - Amber McPherson, Social Worker, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.

• Nurse or Midwife of the Year - Stacey Casley, Rural Generalist Nurse Practitioner Coordinator.

• Volunteer of the Year - Margaret King, Chair, Griffith LHAC.

• Staff Member of the Year - Setchen Brimson, Manager Executive Services (Communications).

• Chief Executive’s Choice - Outreach Heart Failure Diagnostic Clinic.

• Board Chair’s Choice - Lourene liebenberg, Deniliquin LHAC.

• Topics:

• Awards
• Health & Wellbeing