Ramsay Newsroom

National Business Development Manager, Alex Belcastro, stood out among an impressive field of candidates to win the Young Leader 2020 Award at the International Academy for Design Awards. 

The award recognises an outstanding young leader, who has made significant contributions to the wider field of health care design. 

Ms Belcastro said she was surprised and honoured to receive the award. 

 “I know it was really competitive and 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,” Ms Belcastro said. 

 “I’m incredibly passionate about the impact good social infrastructure has, and delivering world-class healthcare environments at Ramsay is key. Making patients and their cares 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.” 

 Ms Belcastro has been with Ramsay Health Care for five years and oversees a national portfolio of more than 70 hospitals, clinics and day surgeries; over which time she has focused heavily on long term masterplans for Greenslopes, Hollywood, Warringal and Westmead Private Hospitals.  

 She believes that Ramsay is leading the private health sector through innovative developments that change the way consumers experience day surgery, mental health inpatient stays and maternity services, and notes innovations at Westmead’s maternity ward, the new greenfield Northside Group St Leonards Clinic, and day surgeries at Wollongong and North Shore Private Hospitals to be market leading.  

 Prior to joining Ramsay Health Care, Ms Belcastro oversaw a range of major public social infrastructure projects exceeding $3 billion on the east coast of Australia.  

 “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,” Ms Belcastro said. 

 “In constructing our brownfields, we do a lot of things that people don’t realise. We’re thinking about the colour pallet, how we get access to light deep in the floorplate, can we create fresh air pockets of respite, not just for patients but the workforce too – as without them nothing happens. 

 “It’s been fantastic, I’m really proud of all the work were doing.”