Professor Sara Bayes won the Excellence in Research award.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is proud to acknowledge staff and alumni who were awarded at the 2024 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards (WANMEA).
This year's Awards celebrated 20 years of highlighting Western Australia's nurses and midwives throughout public, private, and non-government health services across the State.
The Awards celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by nurses and midwives across 16 special categories.
ECU is a proud Platinum sponsor of the Awards and this year marked our 14th year of partnership.
Excellence in Research
ECU's School of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Sara Bayes was the winner of the prestigious Excellence in Research award.
Professor Bayes is a Vice-Chancellor's Professorial Research Fellow with extensive experience in instigating, developing, and maintaining research that translates to a real difference within clinical areas and beyond.
"When I started in research almost 20 years ago, I joined a very small handful of others in WA doing the same, and we now have an abundance of midwives and nurses around our state producing and implementing evidence that makes a positive difference to care outcomes and experiences," Professor Bayes said.
"I am extremely proud to have contributed to that growth here, elsewhere in Australia, and internationally, and it is such an honour to have my work recognised in this way."
Professor Bayes is committed to furthering our understanding of some of the problems faced by midwives, maternity services and the people who use them.
"Although I have many research interests, I focus mainly on understanding how to support midwives to feel satisfied, valued, and well, in relation to their work," Professor Bayes said.
"Knowing these things can inform strategies to keep midwives in their job and in the profession, which is extremely important, because they can and do deliver almost all essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health interventions across the life course.
"This includes averting maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, and improving many other health-related outcomes in reproductive women and new babies."
WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards 2024.
ECU alumni awarded
Amongst the 2024 winners, there were also five ECU alumnae and one current student.
Perri Waddell – 2024 Nurse of the Year, Excellence in Residential Care
Perri Waddell is Clinical Nurse Manager for Bethanie Dalyellup, who was recognised for the exemplary level of patient-centred care she provides residents through her unique and innovative approach to nursing, applying evidence-base practice with care and compassion to create a positive living environment.
Perri completed a Graduate Certificate in Clinical nursing in 2014 and a Master of Clinical Nursing in 2019 at ECU.
Sue Morey OAM – Lifetime Achievement Honour Award
Sue is a respiratory nurse practitioner at Sir Charles Gairdner and was recognised for her tireless and uncompromising commitment over the past 50 years.
Sue has been instrumental in improving and enhancing the care provided to patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, mesothelioma, asthma, and other chronic illnesses.
Suzanne graduated from ECU with a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) in 1991.
Tasmin Davis – Excellence in Registered Nursing
Tasmin Davis is a McGrath Early Breast Cancer Nurse Clinical Nurse in the Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group (SCGOPHCG) Hospital Breast Centre where she passionately supports patients as they navigate diagnosis and treatment.
Tasmin graduated from ECU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing).
Melissa Rae Lynch – Excellence in Aboriginal Health
Melissa is a proud Noongar woman and midwife being the first, and currently the only, Aboriginal Midwife on the Aboriginal Midwifery Group Practice at King Edward Memorial Hospital where she engages with the Elders and Aboriginal Community providing antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care to Aboriginal women and families.
Melissa completed a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) in 2014 and a Master of Midwifery Practice in 2019 at ECU.
Biljana Vojnovic – Excellence in Education
Biljana is a Clinical Nurse Educator at Fiona Stanley Hospital having a strong interest in teaching supported by an enthusiasm to share her knowledge within her field of cancer nursing.
Biljana completed a Bachelor of Nursing in 2007 at ECU.
Leandri Snellenburg – Excellence in Enrolled Nursing
Leandri is currently studying a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) at ECU and currently works at Royal Perth Hospital. In the short time she has been practicing in her profession she has made a big impact as a role model to others and significantly contributes to positive patient experiences.
The full list of winners is available at the WANMEA website.
