A common theme was shared by the seven recipients in the NSLHD Nursing and Midwifery Awards this year: an empathetic approach to both patients and their colleagues.

All of the seven nurses and midwives were recognised not just for the care the provided to patients, but the support and leadership they gave to their colleagues.

Registered Nurse of the Year went to Catherine Brennan (pictured on front cover) who works in community nursing.
NSLHD Director of Nursing and Midwifery Claire Harris said Catherine exemplified excellence in nursing every day and had done so since working in the district since the late 1990s. 

Midwife of the Year went to Anne Keely who is part of the midwifery group practice at Ryde and RNSH.

“Anne is a truly inspirational worker that brings an aura of calm that is shown through her work ethic, compassion, and clinical knowledge,” Claire said.

Leadership Award of the Year was given to Amanda Pereira-Alury, a clinical nurse educator at Graythwaite Ryde Hospital.

“Amanda’s highlight is her positivity, ability to self-reflect and do what she can to support the team in providing excellent patient care,” Claire said.

RNSH’s Helen Elliott was awarded the Enrolled Nurse of the Year Award recognised for being “one of the kindest, generous, and giving nurses known.”

Gradstart of the Year recipient was Josh Neely of ward 4C at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital for displaying “maturity and diplomacy beyond his experience and demonstrates the qualifications of a future leader.”

District Director of Nursing Award for Excellence in Practice was awarded to Richard Berman, a clinical nurse consultant at Northern Beaches Community Mental Health Service, who “improves the service for both staff and consumers.”