Winning year for Westmead Hospital’s Courtney James

It’s been a stellar 2022 for Western Sydney Local Health District’s (WSLHD) Courtney James who is a registered midwife working in the Aboriginal Midwifery Caseload Model – also known as ‘Dragonfly Midwifery Caseload’.

This care model was introduced to provide support and care that is culturally sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period.

Courtney has been a big advocate for these women through her work driving the design of the Antenatal outpatient clinics and works hard to educate other midwives about cultural sensitivity issues.

Courtney won the prestigious Anthea Kerr Award at the 2022 NSW Premier’s Awards recently.

“I feel truly honoured and grateful,” Courtney said of her award win.

“I am so proud of myself and how much I’ve achieved in only three years of being a midwife. Being Aboriginal myself and getting to work with and connect with Aboriginal women, their families and babies is what I love about my job. Every day is different and I get to help make a difference in their experience of care through Westmead Hospital.

I would like to thank all of WSLHD, particularly Westmead Hospital, for allowing me the opportunity to help get Dragonfly up and running. I’d also like to thank the person who nominated me for this award.”

Courtney James

Earlier this year, Courtney, who is in her third year of midwifery, was also named Aboriginal Midwife/Nurse of the Year at the annual WSLHD Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

Congratulations Courtney.