Meet the winners of the 2022 Nursing and Midwifery Awards

Michelle Spiotti says she was “honoured” to receive the Edward Rowden White Award for excellence and outstanding commitment to perioperative services.
7 July 2022 | Staff

Nurses and midwives throughout the Royal Women’s Hospital have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to patients and families.

The Women’s annual Nursing and Midwifery Awards celebrate the achievements and hard work of our nurses and midwives.

The Women’s Chief Midwifery and Nursing Officer Laura Bignell says the 2022 award recipients have gone above and beyond, demonstrating courage and passion for their professions during a challenging time for healthcare workers.

“Despite all the challenges of COVID, our nurses and midwives remain absolutely committed to providing exceptional care to women and babies,” she says.

“It is such a privilege to be able to recognise nurses and midwives who are doing outstanding work, whether they are early in their career or established in their area of expertise.

“All nurses and midwives make a difference in people’s lives every day.”

Awards highlight scope of practice

Awards were given to nurses and midwives working across the hospital, from perioperative and neonatal intensive care nurses to birth centre and clinical project midwives.

The Women’s Project Manager for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Champion Project, Cath Hannon received the 2022 Jean Smith Prize for Nursing for her work in abortion and contraceptive care.

Cath provides expertise and support to current or potential providers of medical and surgical abortion and long-acting reversible contraception across Victoria.

“This award adds visibility to abortion as healthcare and the role of nurses and midwives to provide that care,” Cath says. “I am very proud and honoured to be recognised.”

2022 Nursing and Midwifery Award winners

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2022 Nursing and Midwifery Awards:

Stewart Prize – Excellence in Nursing Outstanding Early Career Nurse – Hayley Cochrane
Stewart Prize – Excellence in Nursing Outstanding Early Career Nurse – Hayley Cochrane
Stewart Prize – Excellence in Midwifery Outstanding Early Career Midwife – Kirstyn Perrett
Stewart Prize – Excellence in Midwifery Outstanding Early Career Midwife – Kirstyn Perrett
Mable Kimpton Prize. Awarded to the staff member deemed to be the best student in the neonatal intensive care course – Eliza Francis
Mable Kimpton Prize. Awarded to the staff member deemed to be the best student in the neonatal intensive care course – Eliza Francis
Dr Laurence J Murton Memorial Prize. Awarded for skills gained in family centred nursing care to neonates – Ash Scoular
Dr Laurence J Murton Memorial Prize. Awarded for skills gained in family centred nursing care to neonates – Ash Scoular
Edward Rowden White Award. Awarded to an operating suite nurse who demonstrates excellence and outstanding commitment to perioperative services – Michelle Spiotti
Edward Rowden White Award. Awarded to an operating suite nurse who demonstrates excellence and outstanding commitment to perioperative services – Michelle Spiotti
Jean Smith Prize for Excellence in Nursing. Awarded for demonstrating excellence in women’s health nursing – Cath Hannon
Jean Smith Prize for Excellence in Nursing. Awarded for demonstrating excellence in women’s health nursing – Cath Hannon
Jean Smith Prize for Excellence in Midwifery – Azure Ford
Jean Smith Prize for Excellence in Midwifery – Azure Ford

Read more about our 2022 Dr Laurence J Murton Memorial Prize winner Ash Scoular here.