Meet our SCGOPHCG WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards finalists

In the lead up the 2025 Western Australia Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards on 10 May, we are shining a spotlight on our finalists from Osborne Park and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals.

Meet Solomon

Solomon, a finalist in the Graduate of the Year category, completed his nursing training at Osborne Park Hospital last year and is now at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Solomon said he was surprised and humbled on being announced as a finalist.

"I believe that I try my best to ensure that my patients and their families feel involved and seen as real people and not minimised to being a patient and their visitors," he said.

When it came to recognition, Solomon said he was most proud of achieving recognition from patients and their family members post hospitalisation via thank you cards and emails to the hospitals.

"Hospitalisation is a memorable experience and often has negative connotations attached to it, so being able to be positive part of a patient’s hospital stay is something I am honoured to be recognised for," he said.

Solomon wanted to thank both his Mum and Dad for their continued support and encouragement.

"I was adopted at a young age and without them I wouldn’t have had the experiences I’ve had today and wouldn't be a finalist," he said.

Meet Kathryn

Kathryn, a finalist in the Excellence in Leadership – Emerging category, is a Clinical Nurse within Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital’s newly re-established Alcohol and Other Drugs Service.

Kathryn, is a co-founder of Neurokin, a group that provide neurodivergent staff the opportunity to meet regularly and support one another.

Upon being announced a finalist, Kathryn said she felt an enormous sense of validation and excitement.

“Throughout my career, the qualities that define me haven’t always been understood or welcomed,” she said.

“Being announced as a finalist feels like a powerful acknowledgment that the very strengths I once felt pressured to hide are not only valid, but valued. It’s galvanising to know that my eccentric, authentic self is making a real impact."

Kathryn said she was proud of her growth this as a leader and how she was able to bring her own personal experiences to her leadership over the past year.

“I’m most proud of finding the courage to lead openly — not despite my differences, but because of them, and showing that leadership doesn’t always have to fit the mould,” she said.

“My advocacy and leadership haven’t come from a position of comfort or institutional support, they’ve grown out of having to navigate personal struggles, disability, misunderstanding, and a lack of meaningful collaboration at times.

“Bringing those experiences into my everyday practice with patients, colleagues, and systems means I lead with a depth of empathy, resilience and authenticity that can’t be taught.”

Kathryn wanted to encourage everyone to embrace neurodiversity and let go of the ideas about how things “should” be done.

“Some of the most innovative ideas and creative solutions are already out there, locked inside the minds of brilliant individuals with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, bipolar disorder, or any number of diverse neurotypes."

Meet Loreta

After a starting a new project role as a neurosurgery neuro-oncology nurse this year, Loreta said the opportunity to work with a very vulnerable group in our community had been a privilege.

This new role led to her being a finalist in the Excellence in Leadership – Emerging category.

“It was complete shock to be announced as a finalist,” Loreta said.

“My first reaction was that I am not worthy, but the second reaction was a deep sense of honour and gratitude.

“I think all nurses deserve recognition.”

Loreta said she had loved her new project role as a neurosurgery neuro-oncology nurse.

“Educating, counselling, and supporting both patients and their families through some dark days, and even assisting to host a wedding of a patient,” she said.

“It has been an amazing past six months.

“I am lucky, I work with amazing nurses, doctors, and allied health teams in neurosurgery - we are all working towards a common goal to help patients and their families. “

Loreta wanted to thank her colleagues for giving her the opportunity to take on a project role, and for their ongoing support.

“They give me space to grow professionally and to just be me,” she said.

North Metropolitan Health Service has a total of seven finalists in WANMEA. We wish all our finalists the best of luck!

Winners will be announced on 10 May.

To view the full list of WANMEA finalists.