Senior paediatric nurse is 2013 Nurse of the Year

• 14 WA nurses and midwives recognised across 13 categories

• Lifetime Achievement honour awarded for fourth year

A senior paediatric nurse who has recently joined the Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) project team has been named Western Australia's 2013 Nurse of the Year.

Sue Peter, now the Clinical Commissioning Director of the PCH project, was recognised with the top honour at the prestigious WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards tonight, after also winning the Research or Innovative Practice category. She was previously the acting Director Clinical Planning and Reform, Child and Adolescent Health at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Health Minister Kim Hames said Sue Peter was one of 14 nurses and midwives from across Western Australia to win one of the 13 award categories, which acknowledges their outstanding contribution to the nursing and midwifery professions throughout the State. 

"Sue's exemplary dedication to education and research set a high standard for the profession, and she has consistently demonstrated her strong leadership and unwavering commitment to improving outcomes in paediatric care," Dr Hames said.

"Sue has been at the forefront of a number of health innovations in paediatric ambulatory care including Hospital in the Home and nurse practitioner roles."

Ruth Letts was inducted to nursing and midwifery's hall of fame, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Honour for her support and dedication to nursing in Western Australia.

Ruth has been an outstanding contributor and role model for nursing and midwifery in WA since 1973, holding diverse roles across every aspect of both professions.

The Minister said the achievements of the 2013 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award winners would inspire other nurses and midwives throughout Western Australia to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.

"I congratulate our winners and finalists and thank them for their commitment to pursuing the very best in patient care in Western Australia," he said.

       Fact File

• Winners were chosen from 43 finalists, which had been narrowed down from a pool of 230 nominations

• More information can be found at http://www.wanmea.com.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300

2013 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards category winners

Aboriginal Health

Deborah McAdam - Registered Nurse, Geraldton Hospital

Consumer Appreciation

Millie Gibson - Midwife, Mercy Hospital

Education

Barbara Carter - Clinical Nurse Coordinator, King Edward Memorial Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital

Emerging Leader

Elissa Stout - Director of Nursing, Laverton Hospital

Graduate of the Year

Shari Pilkington - Registered Nurse, Osborne Park Hospital

Metropolitan and Rural and Remote Clinical Enrolled Nurse Practice

Bethany Florisson - Advanced Skill Enrolled Norse, Hollywood Private Hospital

Metropolitan and Rural and Remote Midwife Practice

Pauline Costins - Eligible Endorsed Midwife, Centred Midwifery Group Practice (Private Practice) and Armadale Health Service

Metropolitan Clinical Registered Nurse Practice

Jill Kelly - Nurse Practitioner, St John of God Hospital, Subiaco

Preceptor of the Year

Jessica Wirrell - Registered Nurse, St John of God Hospital, Murdoch

Primary and Community Care

Marieta Simmons - Community Neurological Nurse, Neurological Council of WA, South West region

Research or Innovative Practice

Sue Peter - Acting Executive Director, Clinical Planning and Reform, Princess Margaret Hospital

Residential and Aged Care

Donna Petersen - Deputy Care Manager, Brightwater Care Group - Madelay Facility

Rural and Remote Clinical Registered Nurse Practice

Jasmine Brown - Registered Nurse, Laverton Hospital

Kirsten Fleming - Clinical Nurse, Laverton Hospital

2013 WA Nurse / Midwife of the Year

Sue Peter - Clinical Commissioning Director, Perth Children's Hospital project

2013 Lifetime Achievement Honour Recipient

Ruth Letts - Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Support, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service