The Goldfields shine in WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards

Two nurses and one team of dedicated Goldfields health workers have been named finalists in this year’s WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards (WANMEA) for their contributions to the delivery of high-quality healthcare to country WA.

Clinical Nurse, Ruth Monck, is passionate about community health and has been a healthcare professional to children and families in the country for 25 years.

Nominated for Excellence in Aboriginal Health, she is a respected colleague and advocate for Goldfields communities. She works with young Aboriginal infants and children (0 - 4), and their families, delivering ear health support and assessments across the Goldfields. She also delivers Ear Nose and Throat services via telehealth (TeleENT) to coordinate early identification and treatment of Otitis Media (middle ear infection).

Jasmine Walder, also a Clinical Nurse, was nominated for Excellence in Primary, Public and Community Nursing. In her role as Child Health/School Health Nurse, she delivers a range of healthcare across Kalgoorlie and Laverton.

Nominated for a WANMEA award for a second time, she finds helping others rewarding and is committed to making sure children and families receive vital care and support. She works closely with families to help them navigate referrals and works with colleagues, like Ruth, to deliver health services.

Jasmine says she constantly strives to reach positive outcomes and supports her colleagues and community members.

The Goldfields COVID-19 Vaccination team has been nominated for Excellence in Person Centred Care - COVID Team Award. Led by Rebecca Caporn, Jane Bell, Jessica Penfold, Caitlin Kotula, Barbara Bickers, Nikee Tierney and Casey Gunnell, who partner with administration staff and Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALOs), the team worked cohesively and displayed resilience over the pandemic period.

To date, they have delivered more than 56,000 essential COVID-19 vaccines across the Goldfields – the largest geographical region in country WA.

During the height of COVID-19, their efforts never faltered. They travelled across the region to deliver mobile vaccination clinics, mass vaccination clinic events and outreach services to the most vulnerable and immunocompromised.

Their dedication meant even the most remote communities had access to the vaccine. Alongside their WA Country Health Service counterparts in other regions, they have administered more than 250,000 vaccines throughout country WA.

Rob Pulsford, WACHS Acting Chief Executive, said the performance of Goldfields nurses and midwives in this year’s awards was a testament to the depth of talent across country WA.

“WA Country Health Service employs more than 4,000 nurses and midwives. Each plays an important role in keeping regional communities safe, healthy and well.

“There’s no doubt the last two years have been a challenging time to work in health. But time and again, our nurses and midwives go above and beyond to make a real difference to their patients and their communities.

“Congratulations to our deserving finalists. This acknowledgement is proof of their outstanding contributions to improving health outcomes in the communities in which they live and work,” Mr Pulsford said.

WACHS finalists:

• Yvonne Bagwell – WACHS Pilbara Excellence in Rural and Remote Nursing
• Subin Daniel – WACHS Wheatbelt Excellence in Rural and Remote Nursing
• Amalie McDonnell – WACHS Pilbara Excellence in Rural and Remote Nursing
• Kate Reynolds – WACHS Central Office Excellence in Leadership   
• Jacqueline Donnelly – WACHS Midwest Excellence in Enrolled Nursing
• Sheree Davies – WACHS Pilbara Excellence in Aboriginal Health
• Ruth Monck – WACHS Goldfields Excellence in Aboriginal Health
• Rebecca Crotty – WACHS Great Southern Graduate of the Year
• Kim Boothman – WACHS Great Southern Graduate of the Year
• Jasmine Walder – WACHS Goldfields Excellence in Primary, Public and Community Nursing
• WACHS Goldfields COVID-19 Vaccination Team Excellence in Person Centred Care - COVID Team Award.  

Winners of the 2022 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards will be announced at a Gala Ball on 25 November.