Ms Lindeman, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Tumut Cluster Manager, began her professional healthcare journey in 1978, when she started her Registered Nurse Training at Cowra District Hospital.
“It doesn’t feel like 46 years, to be honest, since I put on that light blue uniform with the buttons down the front and the red cape that didn’t keep you warm,” Ms Lindeman said.
Once her training was completed, she worked at the Royal Canberra Hospital before returning home to get married and taking a role at Boorowa Hospital in July 1982.
During her career, Ms Lindeman has been a registered nurse, community nurse, facility manager, deputy nurse manager and most recently, cluster manager.
Earlier this year, Ms Lindeman enjoyed a morning tea with colleagues at Tumbarumba MPS to celebrate her service to MLHD.
The morning tea provided a great opportunity for Ms Lindeman to share stories about her time in healthcare and provide insight into the changes she has seen over that time.
“I remember being in the back of an ambulance, just myself with the paramedic driving, lights and sirens, a police car at the front, one at the back, getting a critical patient to Canberra,” she said.
“A highlight for me is helicopters retrieving critically unwell patients from the site so I didn’t have to escort them in the back of an ambulance.
“There are so many stories. It’s been fun. I’d do it all again, absolutely and I’m not finished yet!”
Ms Lindeman is a huge advocate for rural healthcare and the range of opportunities that exist in the field.
“There are many chances to work in so many different areas as a nurse and working rurally gives you all options,” she said.
MLHD General Manager Rural Operations Tegan Reid said Ms Lindeman is a much-loved and hugely respected member of the team.
“Kerry, you are someone who is just steady and calm and you are so respectful of your team and a really strong advocate,” Ms Reid said.
“I’ve learned a lot from you actually about the way you talk about your team and the work that you do for them and with them and I think one of the greatest qualities I would say is that you turn up.
“You walk the walk as well, as talk the talk, and that level of support is amazing and that is something that I think we can all learn from and aspire to, because it’s not easy to do all the time.
“It is an absolute pleasure working with you and you bring something very special to our team.”
