HealthWISE is thrilled to be named as finalists for two National Rural and Remote Health Awards.
As an organisation, HealthWISE is in the running for the Rural/Remote Health Employer of the Year award. Our Senior Primary Health Care Nurse Christine Connor is one of just four individuals in Australia to be shortlisted for the Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year award.
“I am pleased that HealthWISE has been recognised for its excellent work and named as a finalist in the National Rural Health Awards for Employer of the Year. This is an amazing honour for the company,” HealthWISE chief executive officer Fiona Strang said.
HealthWISE has a diverse and skilled workforce which is dedicated to creating healthier communities in the vast geographical regions we service in NSW and QLD. We are committed to visionary leadership, secure and meaningful roles, flexibility, open communication, wellbeing, support, recognition and inclusivity.
A long-serving HealthWISE employee, Christine has been in her role for more than a decade and worked a nurse delivering health care for almost 40 years.
“I am truly humbled, thrilled and honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award that encompasses each of our HealthWISE visions and who we are as an organisation,” Christine said.
The Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year award recognises individuals who have demonstrated ‘exceptional commitment, leadership/mentoring and dedication to improving rural and/or remote health outcomes that are culturally safe and responsive’.
“Just to be nominated I feel is such a great honour and privilege to be among the other nominees and participants,” Christine said. Also in the shortlist are Dr Jarrad Lenegan from the WA Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Dr Jared Watts from WA Country Health Service and Dr Corin Miller from Jinggi Gudjaagalali Kids Clinic in NSW.
Christine was inducted into the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network Dedication to Service Hall of Fame at the Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards in June, and the nursing team she leads was shortlisted for the First Nations Health award. The team was also a finalist for the Keeping People Healthy award at the Hunter New England Health Excellence Awards in August.
The Rural/Remote Health Employer of the Year award recognises rural organisations that provide quality healthcare services to their patients while caring for their staff’s wellbeing and professional development. It honours employers with an ‘exceptional commitment’ to developing a culturally competent workforce, and those who improve patient and community health outcomes. The award also acknowledges initiatives addressing rural healthcare workforce shortages, community engagement and outreach programs, and the use of innovative technologies and practices.
Lives Lived Well, Marathon Health, and North and West Remote Health Ltd are also finalists.
Hosted by Rural Health Pro, the inaugural National Rural and Remote Health Awards will be held in Canberra on November 13, as part of Rural Health Month.
