Judy and Leandri walk away with WANMEAs

Two East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) nurses scored big at the WA Nursing & Midwifery Excellence Awards (WANMEA), held on the weekend.

 

Judy Brand from Kalamunda Hospital and Leandri Snellenburg won in the ‘Excellence in Leadership – Emerging Leader’ and ‘Excellence in Enrolled Nursing’ categories respectively, with loud cheers ringing through the Crown Perth ballroom, as they walked up to receive their honours.

 

Making up the EMHS cheer squad in the audience was a large contingent, including Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Dori Lombardi, Executive Director Safety, Quality & Consumer Engagement Sandra Miller, Armadale Kalamunda Group (AKG) Executive Director Neil Cowan and Director of Nursing Helen Fullarton, Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG) Executive Director Ben Noteboom and Nursing Director, Safety and Quality Kelly-Ann Hahn along with several other staff and well-wishers.

 

This year, EMHS had six finalists in the WANMEAs, and a big shout-out goes to each one of them. Keep up the amazing work! 

 

 

Considered one of the mainstays of Kalamunda Hospital, Judy is known for always striving to make a difference.  

 Reflecting on the awards ceremony, Judy expressed her profound gratitude.

 

"I felt overwhelmed, supported, amazed and very humbled to even be considered for this nomination,” she shared.

 

“I truly believe that all the nominees were winners, showcasing their various approaches to delivering exceptional nursing care and enhancing the patient experience within our health services."

 

Judy also emphasised the importance of her team and the support they provide in creating a positive work experience for her.

 

“As leaders, we must support growth, change and improvements of our team along with showing them that they are greatly appreciated every single day.”

 

 

In November last year, Leandri was named “Outstanding Early Career Nurse” at the RPBG Nursing and Midwifery Awards, so her nomination and subsequent win at the state level comes as no surprise.

Back then Leandri spoke about how “it all comes down to patient experience”.

 

“If you know what you are doing, you can provide better care for your patients,” she’d said at the time at Royal Perth Hospital.

 

At Crown Perth on Saturday, when Leandri was presented with the award by the CEO of Brightwater Prof Catherine Stoddart, she was asked what or who inspired her.

 

“It’s the people and patients that I get to work with every day,” Leandri replied.

 

“I wouldn’t be where I am without the inspiration from my team, my leaders and the patients...”

 

Currently undertaking a month-long practical rotation at Broome Hospital (she is studying to be a registered nurse), Leandri flew to Perth for the WANMEAs and just about caught her breath on Sunday, before catching an early morning flight back up north yesterday.

 

Congratulations to both Judy and Leandri for their WANMEA wins on Saturday.