The ACT’s top nurses and midwives were honoured for their outstanding service to the community during the 2024 ACT Nurses and Midwives Excellence Awards.
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.
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.
The 2024 awards included Nurse of the Year, Midwife of the Year and Team of the Year, as well as five 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.
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, Ms Santarossa is recognised for her dedication to the ReviveMed Ketamine Program. Initially managing the program single-handedly, Ms Santarossa expanded the program across Australia, benefiting more than 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, Ms Lavercombe 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. Ms Lavercombe 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
The Public Health Response Unit helps manage public health conditions. The team responds to over 60 notifiable conditions. This includes conditions related to airborne, respiratory, foodborne, vector-borne, and sexually transmitted infections. They also respond to exposure to these conditions. Together, they offer specialised immunisation advice and services.
Excellence in Educational Practice – Ivy Huang, Ward 11A, Acute Care of the Elderly, Canberra Health Services
In her role as a Cognitive Impairment Project Officer, Ms Huang has introduced training; a delirium screening timer; and the PINCHES ME Kindly framework. Her work has improved patient results, staff education, and safety. She is working on using the Digital Health Record to improve intervention processes.
Excellence in Leadership Practice – Naomi Mahon, Clinical Placement Office, ACT Health Directorate
Ms Mahon is recognised for her work to increase clinical placement numbers and to ensure new opportunities for nursing and midwifery students. Her work has included leading the in-school Health Service Assistant Certificate III course and pilot; helping run student nursing workshops; teaching university units on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health; and helping non-resident graduated nursing students join Canberra Health Services’ Transition to Practice Program.
Excellence in Management Practice – Paula Evans, Australian Defence Force
Ms Evans has helped ACT Australian Defence Force members with complex health issues. She approaches nursing by listening to her patient’s preferences and values. She builds trust and rapport with her clients and team. Together, they create realistic and meaningful health goals.
Excellence in Quality Improvement or Research Practice – Samantha Menzies, Emergency Department, Canberra Health Services
Ms Menzies has worked to advocate for best practices and quality improvement. Following an infection control audit, Ms Menzies noted the need for change. She held regular education sessions for the emergency department. She also created networks with the medical, pathology, and infection control teams. Her work resulted in the project running across the hospital. This has already had positive results.
Consumer Recognitions
- Birth Centre Midwifery Team, North Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services
The nominator’s partner had a tough pregnancy because of hyperemesis. The team supported the couple with their expertise and kindness. Their work helped avoid serious problems later in the pregnancy or during childbirth.
- Cheryl Guthrie, Maternity, Calvary John James Hospital
Ms Guthrie has provided exceptional care to a family during multiple pregnancies for more than five years. She met the family after the loss of their first daughter in 2019. She then led the family through two pregnancies. She gave them the courage to endure the emotional marathon. She gave real support with hugs and gentle humour. Her work had a lasting effect on the family and they wanted her work to be recognised.
- Elizabeth Easton, Emergency Department, Canberra Health Services
Ms Easton is recognised for her support to a patient at the emergency department. She provided small gestures such as holding their nominator’s hand. This broke through their walls of pain and despondency. The nominator liked that Ms Easton saw them as an individual and helped them be themselves.
- Emergency Department Nurses, North Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services
The emergency department’s nurses supported a local family during two sepsis-related visits. They advocated for the family member and ensured they were always comfortable. The family wanted to thank the team for their outstanding care and support.
- Lachlan Circuitt, Canberra Region Cancer Centre, Canberra Health Services
Mr Circuitt managed a patient’s treatment for multiple myeloma. He used his knowledge, understanding and compassion in his treatment. This made the nominator feel that he was receiving the best care in Canberra.
- Laura Lloyd-Jones, Paediatrics, Canberra Health Services
Ms Lloyd-Jones is recognised for her positive effect on patients and their families’ lives. The nominator felt that Ms Lloyd-Jones always went above and beyond. These efforts made their child’s long days in hospital easier. Being in hospital, their child missed out on many things. Ms Lloyd-Jones helped by dressing up for book week and making hospital birthdays special. Thanks to her, their child could always have fun.
- Suzanne Baker, ACT Pathology, Canberra Health Services
Ms Baker helped improve a patient’s experience with the ACT Pathology Home Visit Service. She supported the nominator to make her own decisions. This support improved the nominator’s sense of wellbeing. The nominator noted the pride that Ms Baker takes in her work each week. They felt that Ms Baker always treated them with kindness and empathy.
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,” Mr Steel said.
“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.
“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.”
