Hard work and innovative ideas at healthcare sites on Yorke Peninsula and across Mid North receive special recognition
Yorke and Northern Local Health Network held its third annual Excellence Awards at a gala dinner in Clare at the end of July in front of more than 200 staff, friends and family. Adding to this number, a further 600 people also tuned in via a livestream.
The awards celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to local health care.
Various people, teams and projects scooped the prize pool across the 12 award categories, with the honours spread out across the network.
One long standing member of the community, who has been a fierce advocate for regional health care, also received special recognition, with Viv London awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Viv was honoured for her commitment to healthcare in the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, as well as her tenacity and ability to turn ideas into reality.
Yorke and Northern Local Health Network Chief Executive, Roger Kirchner, congratulates all of the award winners and finalists, for the exciting and innovative work they are doing.
“I also want to pay special tribute to Viv London for her years of service and commitment to the region,” he said.
“A Lifetime Achievement Award is fitting recognition for Viv. She has been an integral part of the Port Pirie Hospital team and her wisdom and experience has been a vital asset.
This event truly highlighted the exceptional quality of our staff, the overwhelming support from the community, and the significance of acknowledging the remarkable work of our people in the YNLHN.
It’s pleasing to see so many of our staff are working hard to not only produce high quality healthcare, but also developing creative ways to engage with our communities.”
Excellence in Acute Hospital Care Award
Winner – Tracy Koch (Jamestown)
For her commitment to excellence and demonstrated leadership, particularly in her role assisting Jamestown to achieve accreditation in Diagnostic Imaging.
Excellence in Aged Care Award
Winner – Orroroo Aged Care
For their commitment to excellence, always striving to go above and beyond to ensure residents’ lives are enriched by their care while maintaining meaningful connections in the local community.
Excellence in Community Services Award
Winner – YNLHN Patient Journey Team
For their innovation, efficiency, and commitment to excellence in improving consumer experiences while maintaining quality service delivery across the LHN.
Excellence in Non-Clinical Services Award
Winner – Teagan Cain-Dickens (Wallaroo)
For her unwavering support of the local rehabilitation team and nursing staff, as well as her work in food safety, breakfast and lunch clubs.
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Excellence and Innovation in Aboriginal Healthcare Award
Winner – Tarpari Wellbeing Day (Port Pirie)
For the success of the 2024 event, the largest on record, with 66 services working together to build better outcomes for Aboriginal people in the local health network.
Excellence in Reconciliation Award
Winner – Reconciliation Action Plan Committee
The Committee ties together the supporters and allies of reconciliation across multidisciplinary expertise to deliver a whole of organisation response to the LHN’s commitments, including the key deliverables of the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
Excellence in Safety and Quality Award
Winner – Rebecca Taylor, Outreach Pharmacy Project (Port Pirie/Clare)
For her work implementing and rolling out the new pharmacy outreach service across the LHN to improve medication safety across the region.
Rising Star Award
Winner – Matilda Whittaker (Port Pirie/Wallaroo)
In two short years Matilda has taken the lead in the adult space, supporting complex communication in neurodegenerative disorders, independently navigating complex end-of-life and dignity of choice for palliative patients, upskilling the team in new and innovative swallow rehabilitation techniques, and helping lead the implementation of the Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Study Clinic at the Port Pirie Hospital.
Above and Beyond Award
Winner – Allied Health Workforce Pipeline Project (Port Pirie)
For their work to underpin and grow the allied health workforce with 17 new initiatives that blend innovation with outside-the-box thinking to make YNLHN an appealing place to build your allied health career.
YNLHN Values Award
Winner – Jane Keeley Primary Health Care Manager, Aboriginal Health Northern (Port Pirie) Throughout her 30-year career, Jane’s efforts have led to tangible improvements in the health of Aboriginal people through promotion, prevention, and advocacy for positive change, particularly in palliative care. A true leader, Jane sets a living example of Closing the Gap to inspire everyone throughout the local health network.
Excellence in Strengthening Partnerships Award
Winner – Narungga Health Assembly
This unique collaboration provides the LHN with a vehicle to engage with Narungga people to improve health outcomes by bringing together two key Aboriginal organisations, Narungga Nations and Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporations to ensure that Aboriginal people have a voice and are empowered to make decisions about the services provided to Aboriginal people.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner – Viv London (Port Pirie)
Viv has displayed a lifelong commitment to YNLHN and has had an enduring impact on those who have worked with her. Viv is tenacious and always fights for her team. If you approach her with an idea, the answer is always “let’s make that happen”, and nothing is ever seen as out of reach. A true asset to the Local Health Network.
