Congratulations to our finalists in NSW Health Excellence Awards

Aug 08, 2024

Mid North Coast Local Health District is proud to have three finalists in the annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards – nurse manager Kathleen Bohannon for Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year and midwife Angela Secombe and nurse Christopher Hammond securing spots in the Healing Heart Consumer category.  

There are 27 very deserving finalists from across the state in this year’s awards who epitomise the professionalism, diversity and commitment of the nursing and midwifery workforce in NSW Health.

Kathleen is the Nurse Manager, Aboriginal Health Workforce and Strategy, for the Mid North Coast Local Health District.

In her role, she is driven by opportunities to improve care for others and actively seeks out ways to innovate and continually improve how and where healthcare is provided.

Kathleen led the development of an Aboriginal Nurse Practitioner model of care. The innovative model strengthened the working relationship between the acute care service and Aboriginal Medical Service.

Angela was nominated for this Award by a woman she supported through her birthing journey at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

This is an excerpt from the nomination:

“The night my daughter was born (she) needed CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and close monitoring.

“I was so heartbroken … I told Angela how I felt and she went above and beyond and created the safe space for me to hold my daughter skin to skin for hours.

Angela was the most kind and genuine midwife and person I have ever met. She was bubbly and always happy to help I never seen her waiver from being professional kind and caring. The empathy and compassion she shared with me and my daughter is not comparable to any other experience I have had.

Christopher works in the Intensive Care Unit at Coffs Health Campus and was nominated for this Award by a patient.

Here is some of what he said in the nomination:

“In February 2024 I was seriously ill, requiring ventilation, and round-the clock care, Chris went above and beyond in providing care to me and supporting my family with gentle care and utmost compassion. His professionalism, expertise and kindness were evident in every interaction I or my family had with him.

Chris’ expertise and confidence with care in all his interactions was always reassuring and gave me great comfort. This I believe was instrumental in my healing from a major trauma.

Quite simply Christopher is the nurse that makes the difference.

The 2024 Awards will be held on 25 November at NSW Parliament House at an event hosted by the Minister for Health Ryan Park MP.

We wish all the finalists the best of luck.

Click on the image below to view more photos.