THREE NURSES CHALK UP COMBINED 90 YEARS
OF SERVICE AT STRATHFIELD PRIVATE HOSPITAL
Three nurses have proved good things do come in
threes – they have each celebrated 30 years of service
at Strathfield Private Hospital.
Enrolled nurse Alan Gale, clinical nurse consultant
Maureen O'Shannessy and assistant in nursing Hanadi
Arabi recently marked the milestone, demonstrating
their dedication to nursing and their patients.
Alan started his career in 1989 and has spent most
of his time in Strathfield Private Hospital’s busy
cardiac operating theatre. He is an integral part of
the cardiac team and has been involved in thousands
of cardiac procedures.
Maureen’s original intention was to only stay at
Strathfield for two years when she joined 30 years ago.
But her attitude changed when she was posted to Level
One West surgical ward, where she realised how much
she enjoyed caring for colorectal surgical patients.
Maureen is now a qualified stomal therapy clinical nurse
consultant, after undertaking education funded by
Strathfield Private Hospital. She still works full-time on
the ward she started on.
Hanadi started her career at the hospital in the kitchen
as a casual kitchen hand, but her caring nature and
hard work ethic was easily recognised and she was
encouraged to consider nursing.
In 2001 Hanadi started her assistant in nursing training
and has found her passion working on the ward,
specifically in caring for patients who’ve undergone
breast surgery.
The staff were celebrated with an afternoon tea, flowers,
a gift voucher and a commemorative plaque.
The Ramsay Way 2019 | 04 23
ACHIEVEMENTS
PEEL APPOINTS NEW
MCGRATH BREAST
CARE NURSE
Peel Health Campus’ (PHC) newly appointed
McGrath Breast Nurse, Moira Waters, has been
busy educating staff and the local community about
breast cancer.
More than 50 staff, from nurses and doctors
to support and administrative staff, attended
a morning tea at the hospital to raise awareness
of breast cancer during Breast Cancer
Awareness Month.
Risk factors, symptoms, treatment options and
pathways were among the issues discussed.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Moira
also spoke at the Nidjalla Waangan Mia Aboriginal
Health Centre and joined PHC breast specialist,
Dr Bindu Kunjuraman, in a panel discussion about
breast cancer at the Mandurah Performing Arts
Centre after the show ‘Sunset Strip’.
In her capacity as a breast care nurse at PHC,
Moira Waters provides physical and emotional
support free of charge to anyone experiencing
breast cancer and their families from diagnosis and
throughout their treatment.
DOUBLE FELLOWSHIP
HONOURS FOR
CAIRNS NURSE
A nursing leader at Cairns Day Surgery has been
recognised for her passion in the field, receiving two
fellowships from the Australian College of Nursing and
Australasian College of Health Service Management.
Assistant Clinical Director, Sharon Downman,
said it was both exciting and humbling to receive
the acknowledgement. Fellowship is the highest
membership category awarded in the College.
Mrs Downman started in nursing when she was 17
years old and moved into the digital health space when
she was approached to start a graduate diploma on
information systems management.
She was the second nurse in Australia to complete her
certification in Health Informatics Australasia and has
been involved in some of Queensland’s largest digital
health projects, including the roll out of the integrated
electronic medical record.
“When I started in digital health, I could see this was the
way of the future and I just loved it. I loved computers
and loved the ability it was going to give us to provide
care,” Mrs Downman said.
The experienced nurse is also using her skills to mentor
others in the field as a tutor for James Cook University
in health informatics.
“We are using digital health in most of our day-to-day
roles – perhaps without even realising it – from the
microscopes and robot surgical systems in the theatres,
3D printing, right down to the reports we write,” Mrs
Downman said.
HOLLYWOOD
ANAESTHETIC
TECHNICIAN WINS
ALISON HOLLOWAY
AWARD
A Hollywood Private Hospital anaesthetic
technician has been awarded the prestigious
‘Alison Holloway Award’ at the fourth annual
Australian Anaesthesia Allied Health Practitioners
(AAAHP) Conference in Cairns.
The ‘Alison Holloway Award’ is a perpetual award
for members of the AAAHP. It is given to for the
best case study or research paper nationwide
relating to the area of anaesthesia or intensive care.
Tomo Murayama presented her winning paper,
which related to safe practice in controlling intra-cuff
pressures in laryngeal mask airways to more
than 145 delegates at the conference.
Nurse Director of Clinical Services Sue McCarthy with
McGrath Breast Care Nurse Moira Waters
Maureen O'Shannessy
(clinical nurse consultant)
Hanadi Arabi
(assistant in nursing)
Alan Gale
(enrolled nurse)