AHCL Staff Celebrated at Annual Awards
Sydney Adventist Hospital hosted Adventist Healthcare’s annual THRIVE Awards last Thursday night. The event spotlights the exceptional contributions of AHCL’s outstanding team members who go above and beyond.
“Our annual Thrive awards are a celebration of the incredible achievements of our people. It is wonderful to be surrounded by such remarkable purpose-driven colleagues who continuously strive to go over and above,” said Brett Goods AHCL CEO.
San Foundation Ambassador Awards
A special highlight of the evening was the acknowledgement of two remarkable individuals as San Foundation Ambassadors for 2023! Congratulations Dr Elizabeth Shaw, San’s Head of Department of Cardiology, and Danielle Stone, Prostate Patient Navigator, for this well-deserved recognition. Their dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others embodies the very spirit and essence of San Foundation. Through their efforts, they contribute significantly to building awareness and fostering support for our mission.
San Foundation Research Grant
The night also marked the presentation of the San Foundation Research Grant, resonating deeply with our passionate donors committed to impactful initiatives. Many of our donors, former patients, or family members of those who received care at the San, are eager to support endeavours that enhance lives and experiences for generations to come. What better way to achieve this than by investing in research?
Dr Ketan Bhatt, a Geriatrician and General Medicine Physician and Marleta Fong, a Cognition Nurse, the driving forces behind an exciting dementia research project, serving as key leads and investigators jointly received this award.
Dr Ketan Bhatt and Dr Elizabeth Shaw with their awards
AHCL Quality Awards
The quality awards program has been running at Sydney Adventist Hospital for 23 years. It was implemented to both encourage and recognise staff for their consistent dedication, and commitment to the delivery of high-quality care to all our customers.
Clinical Award
The award recognises staff who have submitted projects directly relating to clinical changes in practice.
This year the award was given to San Pharmacy for the Audit Sepsis Kit.
Nurdan Ozkan accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Non-Clinical Award
This award recognises staff who have submitted projects which provide a supportive role in improving clinical care.
The winner was San Radiology and Nuclear Medicine for Improving MRI Outpatient Appointment Access.
Members of the radiology team with their award
Overall Excellence
This is the highest award presented each year and is chosen from submissions across both categories.
This year the winner was Cardiovascular perfusion – Quick Fox – Rapid Oxygenator Exchange.
Sally McLeod and Dr David D'Silva
Hand Hygiene Award
Managed by the Infection Prevention and Control department, this award was introduced to encourage personnel and departments to comply with the requirement of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative.
San Day Surgery Hornsby took out the award this year.
AMO Awards
The AMO Awards are our way of formally recognising the exceptional contributions of our accredited doctors.
This year there were over 60 nominations from staff, peers and colleagues right across the organisation – a tribute to how highly regarded the esteemed San doctors are by those they work with.
Academic Award
The academic award recognises the work of a San Doctor who has taken a leadership role in managing and innovating within a specialised field of medicine and shown dedication to research and/or educating others about advances in this area of pursuit.
This year the judging panel were unable to declare a clear winner between two remarkable nominees and so the AMO Academic Award was bestowed upon both Dr Mason Reeder and Dr Josie Rutovitz.
Dr Mason Reeder and Dr Josie Rutovitz
Doctor in Training
This award is given to an intern, resident or registrar role who has demonstrated high standards of professional and clinical excellence, gaining the respect of the hospital team and their peers.
This year the winner of the Doctor in Training Award is Dr Emily Agius.
San Doctor Award
The San Doctor Award recognises the work of a doctor who exemplifies the mission and the wholistic values of the hospital about caring for the whole person, ‘mind, body and spirit’; and has made an outstanding medical contribution and through their conduct demonstrates true leadership and clinical excellence, gaining the respect of the hospital team, their peers and community.
The winner of the San Doctor of the Year for 2023 is Associate Professor Michael Hughes.
Associate Professor Michael Hughes
Nursing Excellence Awards
These awards recognise up to 4 team members who are models of excellence in nursing care and professional practice.
There were so many passionate and dedicated people nominated in this category, but the winners this year were Cindy Vu, Maggie Hudson, Kristy Lloyd and Gabrielle Thomas.
From left Cindy Vu, Maggie Hudson, Kristy Lloyd and Helena Wu (accepting on behalf of Gabrielle Thomas).
Excellence in Care Awards: Allied Health, Pharmacy and Radiology
This Care Excellence award recognises a non-nursing team member working in Allied, Radiology and Pharmacy roles who are models of excellence in care and professional practice.
Overall, there was a high calibre field of nominees in this category but the winner this year was Caroline Reynolds, Physiotherapy Team Leader.
Caroline Reynolds accepts her award
Service Excellence Award
The Service Excellence Award is a new category for 2023 and recognises a team member working in a services and support function such as Hospitality, Food Services, Patient Services, Health Information Services, Finance, IS, People and Culture, Engineering and Maintenance, Marketing, CSSD, Medical Services, Ward Persons and General Admin roles who are models of excellence in service or innovation.
There was an impressive number of nominations in this category, with Radiology Inpatient Wardsperson Kevin Ryu named the winner.
Kevin Ryu with his award
People Leadership Excellence Award
The People Leadership Excellence Award is also a new award introduced this year, recognising an AHCL People Leader who is a model of outstanding people leadership.
Jessica Warner, Knight Ward Nurse Unit Manager took out the top gong. Jessica was recognised for her exceptional leadership in the Colorectal/Gastrointestinal ward over the past 5 years.
Jessica Warner with her award
Mission Ambassador of the Year
The Mission Ambassador program recognises and encourages employees who are living examples of our Mission, Christianity in Action – caring for the body, mind and spirit of our Patients, Colleagues, Community and Self.
Christina Kennedy, Radiology Secretary Supervisor was selected as 2023 Mission Ambassador for her hard work caring for both her colleagues and more broadly our patients and the community.
