Ramsay Health Care Australia executive Alex Belcastro has won a prestigious international award for her role in overseeing the continuing growth of the country's largest private healthcare provider.
Ms Belcastro triumphed in the Young Leader 2020 category for those aged 35 and under at the International Academy for Design and Health Awards.
"There were some very impressive architects and project directors in the category that I have enormous respect for, so as it sunk in I realised it was quite an achievement, especially given it's a global award," she said.
As National Business Development manager, Ms Belcastro has led the design and construction of Ramsay Australia's infrastructure projects since joining the company in 2015.
She has a portfolio of 70-plus hospitals, clinics and day surgeries, and has focused on long-term plans for Greenslopes, Hollywood, Warringal and Westmead Private Hospitals.
"I'm incredibly passionate about the impact good social infrastructure has, and delivering world-class healthcare environments at Ramsay is key," Ms Belcastro said.
"Making patients and their care comfortable, giving them the right environment to heal during a really anxious time; the research shows it really does play a part. Importantly, good design improves safety and outcomes."
A masters graduate of the University of Melbourne, Ms Belcastro went on to work for a company delivering infrastructure projects exceeding $3 billion on the east coast before joining Ramsay Australia.
She said the company is changing the way consumers experience day surgery, mental health inpatient stays and maternity services, with notable projects at Westmead, the new greenfield Northside Group St Leonards Clinic, and Wollongong and North Shore Private Hospitals.
"When you go to a hospital the thing you remember is how great your care was, it's not about the buildings but the people, we never forget that - what drew me to Ramsay was the philosophy of people caring for people," she said.
"It's been fantastic, I'm really proud of all the work we're doing."
