The Nurses and Midwives of Tairāwhiti (NAMOT) annual achievement awards were held on Saturday 15 November.
After cancelling earlier in the year, the NAMOT team were keen for the awards to go ahead commemorating the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. An extra seven categories, to a total of 16, were added so more nurses and midwives could be recognised.
The stories of nurses and midwives going above and beyond to ensure that people in need got the best possible care, was a common theme. “It makes you really proud to work with such a high calibre of nurses and midwives,” said one of the nominees.
The Services to Nursing Award attracted five very worthy nominees. Hard-working intensive care nurse Robyn Ngarangione won the award. It recognised that Robyne stepped up during COVID to develop new processes, packs and simulations often doing so in her own time.
Excellence in Clinical Practice attracted five nominees and was awarded to Surgical/Orthopaedic nurse Missy Winter. Missy is known for her compassion, proactive care and excellence on every shift with every person. Missy is diligent with preventative measures to ensure safety of those most vulnerable.
Pinnacle Midlands Health Network General Practice / Primary Healthcare Nursing Award went to Heleyna (Daisy) Higgins. Daisy is a practice nurse at the Ruatoria clinic working with the team at Ngāti Porou Hauora. Daisy is a sole nurse in a high needs area and is not afraid to advocate for change to improve outcomes.
Excellence in Aged Residential Care award was also hotly contested with seven nominees from four rest homes. The winner was Sandy Armstrong, the manager of the Beetham Residential Unit. Sandy has nursed for 50 years many of those working with older whānau and raising the profile of aged care nursing.
The Services to Reducing in Inequity had a strong field of health professionals contributing to the slow but steady improvements in inequity in this region
Midwife Nerissa Walters took out the award. She followed on from her sister Richelle Tarsau who won this award last year. Nerissa works tirelessly to support vulnerable women in pregnancy and to provide culturally competent care to all. Nerissa is a champion for women who do not have a community midwife to ensure their needs are met.
Emergency Department Nurse Maria Kuo was the guest speaker. She talked about her time spent on Mercy Ships as a volunteer. Maria outlined the work of the organisation in African countries and the children that touched her heart.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Director of Nursing New Graduate Award
- Jayda Taiepa
Services to Reducing Inequity Award
- Nerissa Walters
Excellence in Aged Residential Care Nursing Award
- Sandy Armstrong
Excellence in Community Services Nursing Award
- Linda Hauraki
Excellence in Medical Services Nursing Award
- Natasha Ashworth
Excellence in Mental Health Services to Nursing Award
- Jonann Pardoe
Excellence in Paediatric /Neonatal/Child and Youth Services to Nursing Award
- Susanna Lawrence
Excellence in Surgical and Emergency Nursing Award
- Camille Collier
Gaye Hollamby (Heikell) Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
- Missy Winter
Innovation and Excellence / Patient Safety Award
- Adelle Batten
Pinnacle Midlands Health Network General Practice / Primary Healthcare Nursing Award
- Heleyna Higgins
Services to Nursing Award
- Robyn Ngarangione
Services to Midwifery Award
- Kendra Mackey
EIT Student Support for Undergraduate Nurses Award (team nomination)
- He Waharoa
- ICU - Hauora Tairāwhiti
Lifetime Services to Midwifery
- Judi Murphy
Lifetime Services to Nursing
- Terry Rickard