Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre team took out a coveted District award as part the International Nurses’ Day celebrations.

Acting District Director of Nursing and Midwifery Jenny Neilsen presented staff with the award for the nursing team of the year. They were named joint winners with the NSLHD Palliative Care Team.

General Manager Jacqui Edgley welcomed the recognition saying the award is especially significant after just six months of operation.

"I’d like to congratulate our urgent care centre staff for their hard work in recent months establishing the new centre.

"We’ve received plenty of good feedback from the community, and now it’s great for our team to be recognised by the District as well," Jacqui said.

Mona Vale also hosted a special lunch and awards ceremony to mark International Nurses Day.

Acting Director of Nursing Sophie Lange said the awards honoured an outstanding commitment to patient care within our services.

"They give us a chance to thank our nurses for their compassion, professionalism and dedication," she said.

"Leanne Jarrett, from the Beachside Rehabilitation Unit, was named RN of the year for her excellent clinical, assessment and team leading skills.

"TRN Beaudette Juan, also from the BRU, was recognised for her kind and caring approach and for always being a great team player.

"The Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit award went to senior RN Michelle Haines for her exceptional care. Michelle embodies our CORE values and is always willing to support other staff."

Karen Birrell was recognised for supporting the Urgent Care Centre and for mentoring new and junior staff.

At Ryde Hospital, Graythwaite Rehab Unit’s Ranjani Rao claimed the title of the District’s Clinical Nurse Educator of the Year.

She was nominated for a number of reasons, including her warm and welcoming attitude to new learners and visitors to the department.