Auburn Hospital midwife a finalist for NSW Midwife of the Year

Jawaher “Jo” Masri from Auburn Hospital is among 24 statewide finalists nominated for the 2020 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

The finalists have been selected from nominations across seven categories which recognise nurses and midwives who have made a difference in clinical practice, management and leadership.   

Jo from Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is one of three finalists in the Midwife of the Year category.

The 27-year-old acting clinical midwifery educator oversees the education and training of all midwifery students and new graduates at Auburn Hospital, as well as ongoing education and mentoring for all the midwifery staff.

“It is a very challenging role but I love it. I love working with the students and still being on the ward working with women and families,” Jo said.

“It’s nice to be recognised but as long as the women I care for feel comfortable and supported, that’s what I want.

“I’m really proud to represent Auburn Hospital. It is an incredibly supportive environment and the awesome midwives here do beautiful work every day. The midwife I am now is an accumulation of all the mentorship, training and support I’ve had from the amazing midwives here.”

Auburn Hospital nursing and midwifery director Kate Murphy nominated Jo for the recognition due to her “outstanding and unrelenting commitment to midwifery education and women-centered care”.

“Jo is an exemplary role model for the midwifery profession,” Kate said.

“Her positivity and passion for midwifery excellence, and her commitment to patient advocacy is second to none.

“She always goes the extra mile to ensure that every woman receives the highest level of care, and this is evidenced in the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from patients, midwifery students and staff.”

NSW Health Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Jacqui Cross said the awards recognise the contribution and dedication of nurses and midwives working in the NSW public health system, who this year have been facing the additional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These awards are an opportunity to honour nurses and midwives across NSW who go above and beyond and make a real difference not only within their teams but, most importantly, to the patients they care for,” Ms Cross said.

Each Local Health District and Specialty Network nominated their nurses and midwives in six award categories.

NSW community members were eligible to vote for the Healing Heart consumer award, the seventh category, which recognises nurses and midwives who deliver outstanding patient care and support for families and carers.

This year, in line with COVID-19 safety measures, the Awards ceremony will be virtual. Nurses, midwives, their families and the broader community will be able to watch the Award show, which will be streamed on November 26.

There are more than 53,000 nurses and midwives working in NSW Health hospitals and health services.

The NSW Government is investing $2.8 billion to recruit 8,300 extra frontline staff over the next three years, including an additional 5000 more nurses and midwives.

For more information on the 2020 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards click here.