Denise Burns has devoted more than 40 years of her nursing career to care of cancer patients in South Western Sydney.
And half of those years have seen her serve as the highly regarded nurse unit manager of the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre at Campbelltown Hospital.
Known for her passion and dedication to staff and patients, it’s no surprise that now Ms Burns is a finalist in the tenth NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
She is one of five South Western Sydney Local Health District nurses and midwives who are among 30 finalists in this year’s awards:
· Nurse of the year: Cecilia DeSousa, clinical nurse consultant, infection prevention unit, Liverpool Hospital
· Midwife of the year: Kim Wood, clinical midwife specialist, Liverpool Hospital
· Nursing/Midwifery team of the year: Liverpool Opiod Treatment Program.
· Healing Heart (colleague): Denise Burns, nurse unit manager, Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Campbelltown Hospital
· Judith Meppem leadership award: Sonia Marshall, director nursing midwifery and performance, and incident controller, emergency operations centre, South Western Sydney Local Health District.
District chief executive Amanda Larkin described the nominees as exceptional role models.
“Nurses and midwives are at the forefront of our care and I thank them for their incredible leadership and dedication during the challenges of the pandemic and every day,’’ Ms Larkin said.
“I am so proud of the finalists, and I am delighted they have received this wonderful recognition.’’
The winners of the NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards will be announced on November 24.
