Hunter New England Local Health District’s dedicated staff and volunteers were recognised at the 2025 Excellence Awards in Tamworth overnight.
The annual event brought together more than 140 guests to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of the district’s workforce in delivering high-quality care to almost one million people across the region.
Chief Executive Tracey McCosker PSM, congratulated the finalists and winners for their outstanding initiatives and contributions.
“We received more than 90 nominations this year, each undergoing a rigorous assessment process led by an independent review panel,” Ms McCosker said.
“These awards give us the chance to pause, reflect, and recognise the incredible work happening across our district each day through the delivery of innovative, world-class care to our Hunter and New England and Lower Mid-North Coast communities.”
The district’s 20,000-strong team of staff and volunteers provides care through a major tertiary hospital in Newcastle, four rural referral hospitals in Maitland, Manning, Tamworth, and Armidale, and an extensive network of community and mental health facilities.
Awards were presented across 13 categories, culminating in the announcement of the Staff Member of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards.
2025 Excellence Awards recipients:
- Staff Member of the Year Award: Professor Aaron Sverdlov – John Hunter Hospital
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Corinne Lang – Manning and Wingham Hospitals
- Chief Executive’s Award: Telehealth Increased Access to Treatment in Rural Areas for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Hybrid Model of DBT for Rural Areas – Mental Health
- People and Culture Award: Tamworth Welcome Experience – A Place to Call Home – Nursing and Midwifery, Tamworth Hospital
- Transforming Patient Experience Award: Sleep Studies at Home Project – Paediatric Sleep Unit, John Hunter Hospital
- Patient Safety First Award: Timing of Planned Birth Multidisciplinary Team Meetings – Armidale Maternity Service
- Keeping People Healthy Award: Healthy Beginnings for Hunter New England Kids – Population Health and Child and Family Health Nursing Service
- Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award: Bladder Control Issues: Speak up. No Shame. – Elders, Community and Health services at Narrabri, Armidale and Uralla and the Hunter Stroke Service
HUNTER NEW ENGLAND LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT MEDIA UNIT
E: HNELHD-Media@health.nsw.gov.au | P: 0418 463 031 | W: www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au - Excellence in Health Research Award: IMAP: Improving Preeclampsia Care Outcomes – Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital
- Health Innovation Award: Impact of the HNE Outpatient Telestroke Network – Acute Stroke Service, John Hunter Hospital
- Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award: Mind and Matter: Psychiatry in Chronic Disease – Supportive Care for Chronic Disease Team
- Environmental Sustainability Award: Risk Assess for Success: Gloves Off/Gown Off – Intensive Care Services, John Hunter Hospital
- Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award: GP Honorary Medical Officers Refugee Health Program – Multicultural and Refugee Health Team
The 2025 Excellence Awards were only made possible thanks to sponsorship by Telstra, the University of Newcastle, HESTA, Aware Super, Hansen Yuncken, HPE Aruba, LeasePLUS, Pettigrew Funerals, Teladoc Health and Turner and Townsend.
More information, including profiles of all award recipients and finalists, is available on the Hunter New England Local Health District website and social pages.
Media Release: Hunter New England Local Health District
