Local non profit HealthWISE has been named as a finalist for two National Rural and Remote Health Awards.
As an organisation, HealthWISE is in the running for the Rural/Remote Health Employer of the Year award. Senior Primary Health Care Nurse Christine Connor is one of four individuals in Australia to be shortlisted for the Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year award.
“I am pleased that HealthWISE has been recognised for its excellent work and named as a finalist in the National Rural Health Awards for Employer of the Year. This is an amazing honour for the company,” HealthWISE chief executive officer Fiona Strang said.
A long-serving HealthWISE employee, Christine has been in her role for more than a decade and worked a nurse delivering health care for almost 40 years.
“I am truly humbled, thrilled and honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award that encompasses each of our HealthWISE visions and who we are as an organisation,” she said.
The Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year award recognises individuals who have demonstrated ‘exceptional commitment, leadership/mentoring and dedication to improving rural and/or remote health outcomes that are culturally safe and responsive’.
“Just to be nominated I feel is such a great honour and privilege to be among the other nominees and participants,” Christine said. Also in the shortlist are Dr Jarrad Lenegan from the WA Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Dr Jared Watts from WA Country Health Service and Dr Corin Miller from Jinggi Gudjaagalali Kids Clinic in NSW.
Christine was inducted into the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network Dedication to Service Hall of Fame at the Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards in June, and the nursing team she leads was shortlisted for the First Nations Health award. The team was also a finalist for the Keeping People Healthy award at the Hunter New England Health Excellence Awards in August.
The Rural/Remote Health Employer of the Year award recognises rural organisations that provide quality healthcare services to their patients while caring for their staff’s wellbeing and professional development. It honours employers with an ‘exceptional commitment’ to developing a culturally competent workforce, and those who improve patient and community health outcomes. The award also acknowledges initiatives addressing rural healthcare workforce shortages, community engagement and outreach programs, and the use of innovative technologies and practices.
Hosted by Rural Health Pro, the inaugural National Rural and Remote Health Awards will be held at Parliament House in Canberra on November 13, as part of Rural Health Month.