Many of us have a midwife to thank for our safe arrival from the womb, these specialised ‘catching’ hands are a blessing to both mum and bub in hospitals and in the home.
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife and Hospitals across Northern NSW Local Health District honoured the compassion, skill and dedication of local midwives.
As part of the celebrations at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) two midwives whose work had been outstanding during the year were presented awards.
This year’s Early Career Midwife Award went to Vanessa Clement. Vanessa began working as a midwife in 2020. This Early Career award celebrates a Midwife or Nurse who is in their first five years of registration as a Registered Midwife / Registered Nurse or Endorsed Enrolled Nurse, who has shown initiative, leadership, professionalism and courage in the workplace.
‘Vanessa has grown in leaps and bounds in her first year, and brings an open and willing attitude to her work every day,’ said Ms Gleeson said. ‘Congratulations to both our winners.’
Dorothy Edwards Midwifery Scholarship
The winner of the annual Dorothy Edwards Midwifery Scholarship was announced. The award recognises the legacy of one of Lismore Base Hospital’s great midwives, Dorothy Edwards.
Dorothy Edwards’ husband, Noel generously established the Scholarship in her name to provide professional development and education opportunities for staff within the Women’s Care Unit.
The award provides funding to go towards training or conferences to increase staff knowledge and expertise in the field of midwifery.
This year’s winner, Jenna Monro Argent, was recognised for her work in helping midwifery and medical staff to increase their awareness and skills around preventing stillbirth.
LBH Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Narelle Gleeson, said that Jenna is relentlessly positive in the way she focuses on the women we care for and their families, and is passionate about educating staff.
Both awards are supported by local charity Our Kids, which also provides funding towards further professional development opportunities for staff in the Unit throughout the year.
Ms Gleeson acknowledged the important work that all midwives do in helping families get off to a great start. ‘We know that when we improve a woman’s health, we improve the health of the whole family, and our midwives do an incredible job helping women and their new babies have the best start to life they possibly can’.
