2022 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards — finalists revealed

The work of nurses and midwives has been recognised with eight finalists announced for the 2022 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards.

Finalist achievements included establishing a program to provide specialised care to those experiencing family violence, leadership in the face of two ‘waves’ of COVID-19 outbreaks and developing the first Aboriginal-led maternity model of care in Australia.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said, “Congratulations and thank you to every single nominee and finalist for their leadership and dedication — we are so proud of the incredible contribution you make and we feel very privileged to have this opportunity to help shine a spotlight on your achievements.”

These widely recognised national awards, now in their 16th year, pay tribute to the outstanding contribution Australia’s nurses, midwives, nurse educators, researchers and personal care workers make to improving health outcomes.

An independent judging panel, comprised of sector representatives, reviewed many outstanding nominations to select finalists across the Nurse of the Year, Midwife of the Year and Outstanding Organisation categories.

Winners will be announced on 19 May 2022 at an awards ceremony in Melbourne, subject to COVID-19 safety restrictions.

The 2022 finalists are:

Nurse of the Year

Karen Bellamy, Monash Health

Clayton, Victoria

Karen Bellamy is recognised for her leadership and contribution to the COVID-19 response and national vaccine rollout. With over 25 years’ experience specialising in immunisation, Karen is currently the Monash Health Coordinator for the COVID-19 Victorian Specialist Immunisation Services (VicSIS).

Sue Hegarty, Ovarian Cancer Australia

Melbourne, Victoria

Sue Hegarty is recognised for her exceptional advocacy and support for women with ovarian cancer. She has worked tirelessly to increase funding for ovarian cancer research and support services, including spearheading the development of Australia’s first ovarian cancer telehealth program.

Talay Quinlan, Micah Projects

West End, Queensland

Talay Quinlan is recognised for her work in providing an integrated response to support women and children experiencing domestic and family violence as a Clinical Domestic Violence Nurse.

Midwife of the Year

Melanie Briggs, Waminda South Coast Women’s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation, Binjilaanii Maternity Services

Nowra, New South Wales

Melanie Briggs is recognised for her work to improve First Nations’ maternal and infant health. A descendant of the Dharawal and Gumbayngirr peoples, Melanie is the Director and Founder of Binjilaani, the first Aboriginal-led maternity model of care in Australia.

Teresa Walsh, New Life Midwifery

Ipswich, Queensland

Teresa Walsh is recognised for her contribution to maternity care and innovation through establishing and managing one of the first private midwifery practices in the country, New Life Midwifery. The practice offers women one-to-one continuity of midwifery care in collaboration with public hospital obstetric services based on a woman’s individual wishes and health needs.

Sarah Watts, Bendigo Health for the Loddon Mallee Region

Bendigo, Victoria

Sarah Watts is recognised for her exceptional leadership and work in regional and rural communities. With over 20 years’ experience as a midwife, Sarah has been critical to improving the safety and sustainability of maternity services to regional and rural communities.

Outstanding Organisation

Liverpool Hospital

Liverpool, New South Wales

Liverpool Hospital is recognised for the incredible effort of its nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were at the epicentre of two ‘waves’ of outbreaks, including the Delta strain. It is thanks to their tireless work that hundreds of lives were saved, and thousands of patients were cared for with kindness and compassion across the organisation.

Beaudesert Hospital Maternity

Beaudesert, Queensland

Beaudesert Hospital Maternity is recognised for its commitment to improving the health and safety of women and babies in rural Queensland by providing high-quality maternity services to the local community. Beaudesert Hospital Maternity supports First Nations women by providing safe, culturally appropriate care.

Image caption: Talay Quinlan, Clinical Domestic Violence Nurse, Micah Projects