Central Coast nurse Sarah-Kathleen Colliss has been named Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year at the 10th annual 2022 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Award.
She is the lead Aboriginal nurse at Central Coast Local Health District’s (CCLHD) Nunyara Aboriginal Health.
CCLHD Director Nursing and Midwifery, Lynne Bickerstaff, said throughout the pandemic, Colliss provided comprehensive care to COVID positive members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“Sarah is passionate about improving health outcomes for First Nations people,” she said.
Nurses and midwives across NSW were celebrated for their significant contribution to the public health system at the annual awards, with winners announced on November 18.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Regional Health Minister, Bronnie Taylor, congratulated the nurses and midwives for their outstanding commitment to providing world-class care to patients across the state.
“These nurses and midwives deserve to be recognised for going above and beyond in their dedication to caring for patients, their families and communities every day,” Hazzard said.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the highly skilled health staff for the excellent work they do across NSW, particularly during the past few years of the pandemic.”
Taylor said three of the winners, including Colliss, were from regional areas, highlighting the importance of the role of nurses and midwives in rural and regional hospitals.
“These awards are a great opportunity to show our immense gratitude for our skilled and dedicated nurses and midwives who give so much of themselves to care for their local community,” she said.
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce thanked each of the finalists and winners for their professionalism, compassion and kindness, which she said is reflective of the entire nursing and midwifery workforce.
“I’m proud of each and every one of our nurses and midwives who provide high-quality and patient-centered care, which has been demonstrated throughout the many challenges the pandemic and other natural disasters have brought our way,” she said.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said the winners represent a wide range of roles performed by nurses and midwives in diverse settings across the NSW health system.
For more information on the winners of the 2022 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/enma/pages/default.aspx.
Source:
Media release, Nov 18
NSW Government