Private hospitals have finalists in all categories at the 2021 HESTA Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards after an extraordinary year of caring for communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shannon Philp of Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney is one of four contenders for the Nurse of the Year prize.
She has been recognised for her contribution to nursing education and patient-centred care, particularly for women with gynaecological cancers.
Melanie Boulter of John Flynn Private Hospital is one of two finalists in the Midwife of the Year category.
She was selected for giving exceptional care to families over her 20 years at the Gold Coast hospital, where she created its Know My Midwife program to promote women-centred care.
Ramsay Health Care Australia, meanwhile, is a finalist in the Outstanding Organisation category.
The country's largest private provider was recognised for its work to improve environmental sustainability across its 70-plus hospitals and day surgeries, cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and single-use plastics.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said she was humbled by the nine finalists' hard work and achievements, which also included responding to COVID outbreak sites in Victoria, creating a Personal Protective Equipment training program to support the aged-care workforce, and reducing pregnancy risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
"Australia owes a great debt to our nurses and midwives," Ms Blakey said.
"They have done everything and more to keep our communities healthy, safe and supported during some of our darkest times - it's clear our nurses and midwives have an important role to play in creating a resilient and strong healthcare system, which is essential to our economic recovery post-COVID."
The award winners, who receive $10,000 each, will be revealed on Thursday 6 May 2021 in Melbourne.
The health superfund's awards, which have been running for 15 years, pay tribute to the contributions of Australia's nurses, midwives, nurse educators, researchers and personal care workers to improving health outcomes.
"Congratulations and thank you to every single nominee and finalist for their leadership and dedication," Ms Blakey added.
"We are so proud of you, and so proud that the HESTA team can help shine a spotlight on your achievements."
The 2021 finalists are:
NURSE OF THE YEAR
Nicole Cummins, Infection Prevention Control Advice and Response Unit, Department of Health VIC
Professor Raymond Chan, Queensland University of Technology and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health QLD
Shannon Philp, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse NSW
Simone Sheridan, Royal Melbourne Hospital VIC
MIDWIFE OF THE YEAR
Melanie Boulter, John Flynn Private Hospital QLD
Janelle Dillon, Bega Garnbirringu WA
OUTSTANDING ORGANISATION
Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria, VIC
Monash University - Nursing and Midwifery, VIC
Ramsay Health Care Australia, NAT
