2024 Together Lithgow Awards

The Together ceremony was an opportunity for staff and consumers to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Lithgow Hospital staff, highlighting genuine appreciation for their daily efforts.

Winners of the awards were announced in a special ceremony on Thursday 7 November 2024.

Congratulations to:

Outstanding Professional Support Staff Member Award

Joanne Crane

Joanne is a Medical Coder who works quietly and efficiently as a sole worker. She is independent, autonomous and self-managing and it for this reason her work often goes unrecognised.

Joanne continually exhibits all of the CORE values of Health respecting and collaborating with all those she works with. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and she is always so helpful and responsive.

Jo continually liaises with internal and external stakeholders requiring very little assistance of support.

Outstanding Clinician Award

Elizabeth Trevor Jones

As Lithgow's Diabetes Educator, Elizabeth extends herself every day to provide a comprehensive service to those with Diabetes in our community. This includes providing services to Inpatients, Emergency Department, Outpatient clinics and the Antenatal clinic. In the last year Elizabeth had over 1,000 occasions of service within her Outpatient Clinic.

Her collaboration with Nepean Hospital medical, nursing, GPs, Allied Health and the Endocrine Service is admirable.

Kind, respectful, humble and collaborative – Elizabeth exhibits all of the CORE values of Health. She goes above and beyond to ensure her patients safety and wellbeing.

Inspiring Leader Award

Danell Thompson

Danell provides exemplary leadership skills in her everyday function as Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery fostering a positive culture within the facility. Danell engages proactively with staff, patients and visitors and on most days, Danell can be found in the clinical areas talking to someone about their care and what she can do to ensure they receive only the best.

Positive patient outcomes are what drives Danell as a nurse and a midwife, she puts her whole soul into everything she does at work. Her positive nature, ability to nurture staff and can-do attitude all contribute to the outcomes of our consumers and their families.

Danell is a proven leader often working on significant projects, while juggling competing priorities in a small facility. Danell drives culture within Lithgow ensuring that everyone is heard, and all concerns are listened to and addressed regardless of how big or small they are.

People Focused Award

Emilia Keen

Emilia constantly ensures that the patient is centre of her care always. Her bedside manner is exceptional, always finding time to provide person centred holistic care, allowing her to build a rapport with the patient and their family.

She is a bright and bubbly personality that lights up the unit. Emilia is a beacon for safe nursing care consistently following policy and protocol whilst encouraging others to practice in the same manner.

Emilia is a respected, reliable and trusted member of the team who actively seeks out educational opportunities and always strives for the best.

Innovator Award

Karen Menz

During 2023 & 2024 Karen worked tirelessly to ensure the Central Sterile Supply Department Project was rolled out across the LHD. This involved collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, learning new processes and working outside of her comfort zone. Karen confidently took on this role with not having worked in a project role previously and managed to learn on the job whilst also educating others on the processes she was putting into place.

Holding extensive stakeholder engagement meetings along with developing risk mitigation strategies, Karen’s attention to detail and her many years of experience in theatre assisted in making this project a positive one.

Collaborate for Success Award

Cate Salter

As a newcomer to Lithgow Hospital, Cate has strived to collaborate with internal and external partners to improve the service provided to the ageing population of Lithgow and its and surrounding area. Cate has been instrumental in the onboarding of a Geriatrician and commencing the memory clinic in Lithgow.

Cate is passionate about providing wholistic, evidence-based care and is a flexible and dynamic team member. She liaises daily with all teams including medical, nursing, allied health, fellow Nurse Practitioners, medical imaging and pathology. This makes her well respected within the facility for her knowledge and expertise.

Above & Beyond Consumer’s Choice Award

Hannah Smith

Hannah will go above and beyond to make sure her patients are comfortable, supported and satisfied. She will always say yes to help any colleagues no matter if she is snowed under with her own work or about to finish her shift. Her work ethic is next level, working full time and doing multiple overtime shifts to help out the team. She is a legend of the Lithgow Hospital and is well respected from all her colleagues! Following is one of many lovely comments left for Hannah - "Hannah is the most beautiful midwife. Her kind, funny, gracious and intelligent manner made our family feel very safe when we had our last baby. She goes above and beyond for her patients and that shows as so many of our friends have recommended her. Thanks again Hannah."