Young regional nurse named Nurse of the Year

• 15 nurses and midwives recognised in diverse categories
• Lifetime Achievement Honour awarded for third year

Coral Bay's sole health practitioner, Kristy Cooper, has been named Western Australia's 2012 Nurse of the Year, Health Minister Kim Hames announced tonight.

Ms Cooper won the top honour at the prestigious WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards after also winning the Rural and Remote Registered Nurse category.

She was one of 16 nurses and midwives from throughout WA to win one of the 15 award categories, acknowledging their outstanding contribution to their professions. 

Dr Hames said while all of the 2012 finalists were impressive, Ms Cooper stood out for her professionalism and strong commitment to remote practice.

"Ms Cooper is an exceptional remote area nurse who was nominated for this award by her peers for her commitment to providing acute care, educating emerging rural and remote nurses, and developing primary health and prevention programs," he said.

"Having indigenous heritage herself, she also has a strong passion for helping Aboriginal people have better access to health care."

Ms Cooper has received a State Government scholarship to study to become a nurse practitioner.

The Minister said all of the 2012 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award winners would serve as a source of inspiration for other nurses and midwives in WA through their excellence in providing care in their chosen field.

"I congratulate all winners and finalists and thank them for their commitment to advancing their professions and ensuring we have high-quality patient care in this State," he said.

      Fact File

• Winners chosen from 42 finalists
• Narrowed down from pool of 16 nominations
• More information available at http://www.wanmea.com.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300

2012 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards category winners
 

Metropolitan Acute Care Enrolled Nurse:  Michelle Nicholls - Fremantle Hospital and Health Service
Rural and Remote Registered Nurse:  Kristy Cooper - Coral Bay Nursing Post
Metropolitan Acute Care Registered Nurse:  Kelly-Ann Hahn - WA Country Health Service/Royal Perth Hospital
Metropolitan Midwife:  Sara Schouten - Kaleeya Hospital
Rural and Remote Midwife:  Marie Hill - Bridgetown Hospital
Primary and Community Care:  Elizabeth Howse - Silver Chain
Residential and Aged Care:  Linda Maitland - Brightwater Care Group, Marangaroo House
Education:   Rosemary Saunders - The University of Western Australia
Research and Innovative Practice:  Paula Sheehan - South Metropolitan Mental Health Health Service, Alma St
Emerging Leader:   Laura Black - Silver Chain/Southern Country Health Service
Preceptor of the Year:   Maree Woodward - Mercy Hospital, Mt Lawley
Graduate of the Year:   Cathy Trunkfield - Fremantle Hospital and Health Service
Aboriginal Health:  Alicia Belotti - Geraldton Hospital and Grace McCarthy - Kimberley Population Health Unit (currently at Swan Districts Hospital)
Consumer Appreciation:  Galina Todorova - Royal Perth Hospital
2012 WA Nurse/Midwife of the Year:  Kristy Cooper - Coral Bay Nursing Post
Lifetime Achievement Honour:   Janice Butt - Women and Newborn Health Service and Curtin University -  for her profound impact on midwifery education in WA and the wider nursing and midwifery community at a State and national level during her 33-year career.