Today, Northern Health virtually held the Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards, to formally celebrate and acknowledge the great work of our staff.

We had an outstanding response from our staff, with a number of nominations across seven categories. Today’s ceremony awarded winners from 2022 Quarter 2 (April – June) and Quarter 3 (July – September), and also marked the addition of a new category – Education.

Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, opened the ceremony, congratulating all staff on their exceptional work.

“Northern Health has over 7,500 staff, who work across a wide range of areas, and who are committed to providing great care each and every day, across all of our sites and in a range of areas and disciplines,” she said.

“Among our award winners today are staff who exemplify a strong and positive workplace culture, staying true to Northern Health’s values of ‘safe, kind, together’, and who continue to show a genuine commitment to their patients.”

Before presenting staff with their awards, she also acknowledged the many staff who received nominations.

“The number and standard of nominations for these awards were very high. I would like to acknowledge and congratulate all staff who received a nomination. Your hard work is appreciated and valued by all of us at Northern Health,” she said.

Prudence Poon, EMR Clinical Solution Lead Clinical Documentation, and Anna D’Agostino, Administrator, were presented with the Above and Beyond Award, for providing extra care or support to a patient, family or work colleague.

The Clinical Excellence Award, which recognises a clinician or clinical team who are generous with knowledge, instils confidence in patients and colleagues, and achieves the best patient outcomes, was presented to Sally Graham, Wound Nurse Consultant and Dr Wei Ling Lean, Paediatrician and Neonatologist.

The Patient Experience Award, presented to an individual or team who has made a significant achievement in improving the care experience, including showing kindness and compassion towards a patient, family, or work colleague, was awarded to the Kath Atkinson Ward and Kim West, Senior Clinician Social Worker.

Alexandra Bogdanovski, Discharge Coordinator and Graham Wilson, OHS Director, won the Excellence in Safety Award, for making Northern Health safer for patients, visitors or staff.

Shannon Smith, Clinical Nurse Educator (ICU) together with Gagandeep Ahluwalia, Critical Care Registered Nurse (ICU) and Dr Hosim Thapa, Anaesthetist, took home the Innovation Award for implementing a better way to deliver care or service through a new idea or initiative.

The Rising Star Award, presented to a staff member who has great potential to grow and develop in their career at Northern Health, was won by Tamara Cannan, Team Leader at BIPU and Sanjali Das, Advisor, Organisational Capability.

Lastly, the inaugural winners of the Education Award were Susie Sangas, Manager of Medical Education and Dr Andrew Foote, Rheumatology Head of Unit, for having exceptional skills and passion to pass on their knowledge to others in either a clinical or administrative environments.

During the presentation, viewers sent messages of congratulations to our award winners.

“Congratulations Leanne and KAW team, well deserved. Very proud to be your Divisional Director Nursing.” – Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.

“Congratulations and well-deserved Kim. Fantastic work and caring to all always.” – Joy Barrowman.

“Congratulations Sanjali for your amazing work!” – Casey O’Brien.

“Well done Tamara!!! Congratulations.” – John Belanti.

“Well done Andrew – congratulations!” – Carol Chong.

“Congratulations Graham, a great leader and colleague!” – Casey O’Brien.

“Congratulations Susie! Great work and thank you for supporting the CDI Team.” – Mary Kouvas.

“Well deserved Hosim – Congratulations!” – Yvette Sage.

“Great work Shannon and Gagandeep!” – Kate Duggan.

“Well done Sally – you are amazing!! Congratulations.” – Carol Chong.

“Congratulations Anna! Very well deserved!” – Tanya Goodison.

“Well done Prue and congratulations on your well-deserved award.” – Melissa Sajeva.

“Well done Alexandra!” – Bianca Fazzari.

Congratulations once again to all our award winners and nominees! The Quarterly Staff Recognition Award are sponsored by BankVic and Northern Health Foundation.

To watch the ceremony recording, please click here.

Featured images shows our winners L-R top row: Prudence Poon, Sally Graham, Dr Wei Ling Lean, Dr Hosim Thapa.
L-R middle row: Alexandra Bogdanovski, Gagandeep Ahluwalia, Shannon Smith, Leanne Shannon, Kim West.
L-R bottom row: Dr Andrew Foote, Tamara Cannan, Sanjali Das, Susie Sangas.
Please note, Graham Wilson and Anna D’Agostino were absent from today’s ceremony.