A Wollongong nursing executive has been recognised for being a "strong and transformational leader" during the pandemic, winning a prestigious leadership gong at the state's Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
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And another Illawarra nurse, palliative care after hours nurse Allison Millar, was recognised for her exceptional care for a dying patient.
The postponed 2021 awards ceremony was held online last week, with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District's executive director of nursing, midwifery and clinical governance Deborah Cameron given the Judith Meppam Leadership Award last week.
Announcing the award, NSW Health's firmer secretary Elizabeth Koff noted that the pandemic had been a challenging time for leaders in the health care sector.
"Being a strong and transformational leader in times of uncertainty is hard, but it has been a true privilege to see nurses and midwives respond to the COVID pandemic and find new ways to care, new ways to lead, and new ways to make a difference," she said.
Ms Cameron, who was described at the awards as "one of the most respected and admired people in the district" said she was blown away to receive the recognition.
"I'm proud to be a nurse and a midwife because I can make a difference," she said.
"And if you truly believe that you can a difference, everyone can be a leader in their own right. I have that faith in the nursing and midwifery profession moving on into the future. And our future is very bright, we will get through this, we will come out the other side, and our nursing and midwifery profession will never be stronger."
Illawarra Shoalhaven Palliative After Hours Care nurse Allison Millar received the Healing Heart Consumer award, after being nominated by a patients family, who said Ms Millar was "one of the most caring individuals who constantly checked on us, both during our son's journey, and when it was his final time".
"To find out that I made such an impact was surprising, that I could make that sort of an impact on one person's life," Ms Millar said.
"I avoided palliative care personally in my career. I was always very afraid of it, because I knew that it was sad... and then the opportunity came up.
"You know that this loved one, this patient, who's loved by all these people is going to die, but you don't want that lasting memory to be a bad one.
"You just sort of think, yep, I did a good job there. Now I'm leaving the family to have their precious time in a situation that is calmer and more settled, and there's a peace."
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard congratulated winners and finalists in each of the eight categories.
"Nurses and midwives across the state faced one of our most confronting years in 2021 and these awards recognise their outstanding commitment, skills and professionalism during this unprecedented time," Mr Hazzard said.
There were three other finalists from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health district, Nicole Davis from Community nursing, Shoalhaven Hospital midwife Jenny Greed and Shoalhaven Hospital nurse Matthew White.
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Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
