Country staff win big at WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards
2023 winners Sienna Kolatowicz, Maddison Bell and TeleChemotherapy nurses.
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) nurses and midwives do rural and regional WA proud every day and on Friday night they exceeded this by a country mile, taking out three categories at the 2023 WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
Acting Chief Executive Rob Pulsford said the recognition was a real reflection of the commitment and compassion of nurses and midwives across regional Western Australia.
“Country nurses and midwives lead with compassion and often go above and beyond to support their communities,” Mr Pulsford said.
“In the past year alone, our nurses and midwives helped to deliver more than 4,500 babies and attended almost 446,000 emergency department presentations.”
The awards recognise the individuals and teams that go the extra mile for their communities. Country nurses and midwives were well represented again this year with six individuals and one team being named finalists, resulting in three winners.
“We were particularly pleased to see our TeleChemotherapy nurses win their category for Excellence in Person Centred Care,” Mr Pulsford said.
“It’s also great to see the next generation of young nurses and midwives so well represented. Sienna Kolatowicz was awarded Excellence in Midwifery and Maddison Bell took home Excellence in Aboriginal Health – both leaders in providing culturally safe and accessible care for country families.
“Congratulations to all our deserving winners and finalists.”
Sienna works as a Registered Nurse and Midwife in Broome.
Sienna demonstrates excellent commitment, coordination, and natural leadership skills. Her quiet, calm and positive manner makes her approachable to peers and colleagues.
Sienna has a passion for providing culturally appropriate maternity care to Aboriginal women and babies – something she’s particularly passionate about as an Aboriginal woman herself.
Maddison Bell, Kimberley – Excellence in Aboriginal Health
Maddison splits her time working as a midwife in the Kimberley and as a project officer implementing the ‘Birthing on Country’ model of care – a project she is deeply passionate about.
She leads the ‘Positive Indigenous Birthing Program’ giving Aboriginal women in regional and remote communities greater access to culturally safe antenatal education. The program was developed in consultation with Aboriginal women.
TeleChemotherapy nurses (Pilbara, Kimberley, Wheatbelt and Central Office) – Excellence in Person Centred Care
The TeleChemotherapy nurses from the Pilbara, Kimberley, Wheatbelt and Central Office provide culturally safe care close to home.
TeleChemotherapy is a model of care that enables cancer patients to receive low-risk chemotherapy locally with the support of specialist clinicians via telehealth.
It’s thanks to the team that more than 330 patients have received upwards of 2,000 TeleChemotherapy treatments, saving more than one million kilometres in travel.
We also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all our award finalists:
Cathy Kirby – WACHS Wheatbelt Excellence in Primary, Public, and Community Care
Amanda Whittle – WACHS South West Excellence in Primary, Public, and Community Care
Kristal Buchanan – WACHS Midwest Excellence in Registered Nursing
Jada Hansen – WACHS Goldfields Graduate of The Year
Regional WA was well represented at this year’s awards, highlighting the depth and breadth of expertise that our country nurses and midwives offer.
Read about all the winners and finalists on the WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards website.