Westmead Hospital staff honoured on Australia Day

Four Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) staff and partners have been recognised on Australia Day for their outstanding service and achievements in healthcare.

The Australian honours system celebrates the outstanding achievements of extraordinary people in the community whose contributions to service have made a difference to their fellow Australians.

This year Westmead Hospital’s director of nursing and midwifery Kate Hackett received the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to health care delivery in Western Sydney.

She was joined by Westmead Hospital’s gynaecological oncology department head, Associate Professor Alison Brand,was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine, to gynaecology, and to medical organisations.

Westmead Centre for Oral Health clinical day lecturer Dr Susan Gaffney was also appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to dental professional organisations and to education. 

Westmead Research Hub executive chair Professor Roger Reddel was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to biomedical research in the field of adult and childhood cancer and genetics, and to tertiary education.

WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy congratulated staff for this recognition of the achievements and milestones achieved throughout their successful and vibrant careers.  

“Australia Day is the day where we reflect on our history and celebrate the Australian way of life, and it’s fantastic to also reward and acknowledge the dedication and commitment of extraordinary Australians including some of our very own staff and partners,” Graeme said.

Kate Hackett started her nursing career in 2001 at Royal North Shore Hospital and relocated to Westmead Hospital in 2006.

The Ryde resident and married mother of two has been instrumental in leading and driving Westmead Hospital’s nursing and midwifery workforce.

Highly respected by her peers, she has helped prepare the hospital for emerging infectious diseases including COVID-19.

“I’m honoured to receive this public service medal,” Kate said. 

“I’ve worked with some incredible people during our management of COVID-19 and this award is a reflection of the team’s commitment and expertise.”

In addition to the hospital’s COVID preparation, Kate is also a valued member of the WSLHD COVID-19 Clinical Expert Advisory Group and played a significant role in the redevelopment of the Westmead Hospital Precinct.

Associate Professor Alison Brand has worked at Westmeadsince 2000, and is a principal investigator of clinical trials as well as a staff specialist at the hospital.

“I’m honoured to be recognised in this way,” Alison said.

“It’s a reflection of the wonderful team that I work with at Westmead Hospital and the ANZCOG clinical trials group.”

Professor Brand has been a board member of the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) since 2006 and a member since 2002.

Her other affiliations include a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) since 1999 and has been the training supervisor at Westmead Hospital since 2016.

To view the 2021 Australia Day honours list, click here.

If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their contributions to society, find out how to nominate them here.