A RAFT of local individuals and businesses have been named winners and finalists in the Healthy North Coast Primary Care Excellence Awards held on Tuesday 25 November at Pacific Bay Resort.
The event brought together 175 primary health care professionals and partners from the region to honour individuals and teams for their exemplary work in community health care.
This was the first Awards ceremony held since 2017.
The program received 57 nominations across nine categories, reflecting the depth of commitment and expertise within the North Coast primary care workforce.
Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said the awards highlight the dedication of the local primary care workforce.
“These awards recognise the exceptional care being delivered by GPs, nurses, pharmacists, mental health and allied health professionals every day across our region.
“The nominees and recipients demonstrate the innovation, collaboration and commitment that underpin high-quality care on the North Coast.
“Healthy North Coast is proud to acknowledge their achievements and the positive impact they have on our communities.
“By celebrating outstanding achievements, we also help to inspire and retain our talented workforce that is so essential to the future of our communities.
Winners and finalists
The Excellence in Allied Health Achievement award winner is Coffs Coast Sports Physiotherapy’s Trent Renshaw for his work in pioneered male-focused oncology rehabilitation and pelvic health, reducing barriers and improving survivorship outcomes.
Category finalist Erin Herd at Northern Prosthetics, Coffs Harbour, is the sole full-time prosthetist in the region, improving amputee care and integrating physiotherapy into her clinic.
Winning a Long Service Award, Northside Health Centre’s Dr Jay Ruthnam was recognised for his 40-plus years dedicated to improving primary care in Coffs Harbour through clinical excellence, leadership in emergency and rural health, advocacy for equity, and mentoring future healthcare professionals – leaving an enduring legacy of compassion and innovation.
Dr Ruthnam is a key mover and shaker in the establishment of Ulong’s Health Hub, paying regular visits to the mountain village.
The Dr Michael Davis Award for Excellence in General Practice Leadership finalist in Coffs Harbour was Dr Laura Brien from Health Voyage, Coffs Harbour.
Dr Brien has established an endometriosis clinic, improved multidisciplinary care, and fostered a trauma-informed, patient-centred culture.
Excellence in Practice Management finalist was Julie Chakos, Health Voyage Coffs Harbour, for her leadership in the practice’s delivery of inclusive care for women, expanded culturally safe services, and innovative programs.
Also in the category was Tara Welsh, who established Coffs Harbour’s Urgent Care Clinic and has led innovative models of care, workforce development, and quality improvement.
Excellence in Delivery of Mental Health in Primary Care finalist was New Horizons Coffs Harbour, for the creation of “i.am” – a suicide aftercare program for children, improving wellbeing and reducing self-harm.
Excellence in Delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health finalist Bianca Monaghan, Health Voyage Coffs Harbour, was recognised for her work in co-designing Big Uncles Club, mentoring Aboriginal youth and embedding cultural safety.
Excellence in Nursing Achievement finalist Berry Jones, who works through Healthy Voyage in Coffs Harbour, was recognised for leading outreach clinics and culturally safe care for vulnerable women, improving equity and trust over 35 years.
The local finalist in the Excellence in Innovation category was Health Voyage Coffs Harbour, which introduced an interdisciplinary pelvic pain clinic with no-gap allied health and digital tools.
By Andrea FERRARI
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