Country health shines at the WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards

WA Country Health Service’s (WACHS) extraordinary nurses and midwives shone brightly at the WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, with country healthcare professionals winning in three award categories.

WACHS Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said the result was a testament to the dynamic and dedicated professionals bringing high-quality healthcare to communities across country WA.

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

“We were proud to see ten staff members and one team making up the finalists across seven categories this year, resulting in three winners. This is a real reflection of the skilled professionals who are building their careers in regional Western Australia.

“Since 2019, we have had an incredible 37 individuals and six teams shortlisted or win at these prestigious awards. 

“Servicing communities across more than 2.5 million square kilometres, our commitment never falters. In the past year alone, our valued nurses and midwives helped to deliver more than 4,500 babies and attended to more than 440,000 emergency department presentations, as well as providing all-round care, support and leadership. 

“Congratulations to our deserving winners and finalists. This acknowledgement is testament to the outstanding work our country nurses and midwives do to improve health outcomes in the communities in which they live and work.” 

These exceptional individuals are this year’s winners and have been awarded for their contribution to the fields of nursing and midwifery:

Sheree Davies, Pilbara - Excellence in Aboriginal Health

Community midwife, Sheree, is passionate about Aboriginal health and provides culturally safe care to women in and around the Pilbara, working at Karratha Health Campus and Onslow Hospital. 

Sheree provides quality maternity care and builds relationships to best support women as they navigate safe health pathways. Her passion for Aboriginal health arises from her own cultural background as a Noongar woman from the South West. 

A moment in her career Sheree will never forget was the relationship she built with a woman throughout the patient’s pregnancy, birth and into parenthood. The woman was so touched by Sheree’s care that she named her baby after her. 

Kate Reynolds, Central Office - Excellence in Leadership

Coordinator of Midwifery, Kate, has been instrumental in the provision of maternal and newborn care, midwifery leadership and support across our organisation for 16 years. 

Alongside her colleagues, she has supported the delivery of a Maternal and Newborn Care Strategy at 18 maternity sites, the establishment of the first ever Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) in Bunbury, which also included the first publicly funded homebirth program in country WA, and the implementation of the Midwifery and Obstetric Emergency Telehealth Service (MOETS).

As well as being an esteemed leader in midwifery, she is also a Co-Lead for the Women and Newborn Health Network. 

Subin Daniel, Wheatbelt - Excellence in Rural and Remote Nursing

Currently seconded to the position of Manager of Nurse Workforce for the Wheatbelt, Subin usually works in the role of Health Service Manager/Director of Nursing at Wyalkatchem Koorda Health Service.

Subin has worked with us for eight years, first starting out as a clinical nurse at Wyalkatchem. 

In his substantive role, he provides clinical leadership, supports and mentors staff, and is a champion for safety and quality. 

Subin said his biggest achievement has been the implementation of a quality-focused and patient safety-oriented culture within the workplace. He said he feels rewarded supporting so many junior registered nurses and enrolled nurses.