Vicki Simpson has received the Public Service Medal for outstanding service to the Mid North Coast Local Health District.
Vicki earns Queen’s Birthday honour
Jun 16, 2022The NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce, has congratulated Vicki Simpson on receiving the Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The Mid North Coast Local Health District’s Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Service Reform, and Health Service Functional Area Coordinator, Mrs Simpson was honoured for outstanding service to the District, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her citation read:
Mrs Simpson’s professionalism, resilience and leadership has been influential in the Health District’s response to catastrophic bushfires, a once in a generation flood and the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years.
In an unprecedented and evolving global pandemic, Mrs Simpson has been exceptional in her role as the Health Service Functional Area Coordinator. Developing and rapidly implementing strategies for her nursing staff to ensure a well-managed response to COVID-19, she also took on the responsibilities of coordinating logistics, equipment (including ventilators and personal protective equipment), testing, and emergency accommodation. Further, she led early morning planning meetings coordinated with the State Health Emergency Operations Centre and liaised closely with community partners such as aged care facilities and local councils to ensure a coordinated COVID-19 response.
Mrs Simpson also spearheaded the mass vaccination program for the Health District,
resulting in more than 95 per cent of the eligible local population reaching double vaccination status.
Mrs Simpson is committed to providing opportunities for First Nations people to embark on careers in nursing and midwifery. She has mentored staff through the trainee and cadetship process to senior nursing and midwifery roles, something she is most proud of.
With more than 30 years of public service, Mrs Simpson is an integral part of the Mid North Coast Local Health District. She is an energetic, compassionate, and inspiring leader who is enormously respected among her peers and patients for her exemplary standard of professionalism and service delivery.