Released 09/05/2024
The ACT’s top nurses and midwives have been recognised for their contributions to the community at the 2024 ACT Nurses and Midwives Excellence Awards.
Acting Minister for Health Chris Steel congratulated the winners and nominees for their outstanding service to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our community.
“Nurses and midwives are the backbone of our health system, and it is through their professionalism and commitment to innovation and their patients that we have such positive health outcomes in the territory,” Acting Minister Steel said.
The 2024 awards included Nurse of the Year, Midwife of the Year and Team of the Year, as well as 5 peer-nominated professional excellence awards and the popular consumer recognition category, where members of the public were able to nominate a nurse, midwife or team they felt made a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of themselves or their loved ones.
“It’s important we recognise the essential work nurses and midwives carry out right across the community, including in our hospitals, walk-in centres, general practices, pharmacies, and aged care facilities,” he said.
“These awards celebrate the outstanding professional accomplishments made within the public and private healthcare services throughout the ACT. We also celebrate the dedication and excellence of all nurses and midwives, who go out of their way to care for individuals, families, and communities, to make the Territory a better place.
“Ensuring we have a health workforce that is highly skilled and well supported is critical as we continue to invest in the ACT health system to meet the growing needs of our city and region.
“The ACT Government will continue to focus on creating career pathways, investing in modern equipment and infrastructure, and supporting staff with initiatives such as nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios.”
The recipients of the 2024 Nurses and Midwives Excellence Awards are:
Nurse of the Year 2024 - Carla Santarossa, ReviveMed, Zed3 Medical Group
As clinical coordinator at Zed3 Medical Group, Carla is recognised for her dedication to the ReviveMed Ketamine Program. Initially managing the program single-handedly, Carla worked to facilitate the program’s expansion to locations across Australia, benefiting over 200 patients to date. Her tireless commitment to patient care, system streamlining, and innovative solutions has touched countless lives.
Midwife of the Year 2024 - Kerryn Lavercombe, Maternity, Canberra Health Services
As clinical midwifery manager at Canberra Health Services, Kerryn is recognised for her work with the postnatal ward team to lead the successful trial of Transcutaneous Bilirubinometers, extending it to the community through the MIDCALL team. This achievement led to the current trial of BiliCocoons. Kerryn fosters a deeply supportive environment where compassion, communication, and camaraderie flourish, exemplifying excellence in midwifery management.
Team of the Year 2024 - Palliative Aged Care Specialist Nursing Team, Clare Holland House, Canberra Health Services
The Palliative Aged Care Specialist Nursing Team, known as the PEACE team, is recognised for providing person-centred care to older people living with life-limiting illnesses across 28 residential aged care facilities. They collaborate with residents, families, care staff, specialists, and GPs to establish mutually agreed-upon goals of care.
Excellence in Clinical Practice - Public Health Response Unit Nurses, ACT Health Directorate
Excellence in Educational Practice - Ivy Huang, Ward 11A, Acute Care of the Elderly, Canberra Health Services
Excellence in Leadership Practice - Naomi Mahon, Clinical Placement Office, ACT Health Directorate
Excellence in Management Practice - Paula Evans, Australian Defence Force
Excellence in Quality Improvement or Research Practice - Samantha Menzies, Emergency Department, Canberra Health Services
Consumer Recognitions
* Birth Centre Midwifery Team, North Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services
* Cheryl Guthrie, Maternity, Calvary John James Hospital
* Elizabeth Easton, Emergency Department, Canberra Health Services
* Emergency Department Nurses, North Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services
* Lachlan Circuitt, Canberra Region Cancer Centre, Canberra Health Services
* Laura Lloyd-Jones, Paediatrics, Canberra Health Services
* Suzanne Baker, ACT Pathology, Canberra Health Services
The awards are held annually in the week that begins with International Day of the Midwife on 5 May and goes through to International Nurses Day on 12 May.
Visit ACT Health for more information on the winners.
To arrange an interview with the recipients, contact ACT Health Media on 0403 344 080 or email healthmedia@act.gov.au.
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Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases