Making a song and dance about it: Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital nurses showcase their star qualities at hospital talent show

Under the multicolored light-catching cylinder that hangs from Blacktown Hospital’s main entrance ceiling, eight Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital (BMDH) nurses and midwives battled it out on Thursday, 11 May for first place at the inaugural Music Art Dance Drama (MADD) Talent Show.

In celebration of International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day, the midwifery and nursing executive at BMDH hosted the talent show “because of the fact that we, together at BMDH, are a pool full of talented nurses and midwives”, said event emcee BMDH deputy director of nursing medicine Cheryl Trudinger.

Gathering patients and staff were treated to eight performances by multi-talented nurses and midwives who platformed the cultures and customs of the world, both old and new.

The talent show was judged by a panel of four: Mount Druitt Hospital senior staff specialist, head of department Anaesthetics and chief medical advisor Lissa Buenaventura, BMDH acting director of Allied Health Katrina Anwar, Mount Druitt Hospital nurse manager of Workforce and Education Julia Shaw, and BMDH volunteers manager Colin Dent, who were all selected to judge for their backgrounds in and passion for music, dance and theatre.

First performer off the rank was nurse Chester Alhambra, Blacktown Hospital Aged Care Ward (C51), who has been singing since high school. Chester wowed the audience with Calum Scott’s 2018 hit, You are the Reason.

“Chester was known as one of the greatest supporters of the Filipino community, hosting and singing in different events and offering valuable tips to musicians who were looking to grow their careers,” said Cheryl.

Up next was Blacktown Hospital anesthetics and recovery nurse at Blacktown Operating Theatres, Frances Choy. Debuting her hidden talent at Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD)’s Quality Awards, Frances has been dancing since the age of four in jazz, ballet, pom, lyrical, hip-hop and tap.

“For Frances, dance is a great stress outlet and a way to stay mobile and energetic,” said acting deputy director of nursing and co-emcee, Kirsty Wallis.

Described by the emcee’s as “a guy who firmly believes his love for music has no restrictions”, next to the stage was Blacktown Hospital emergency department nurse, Jason Temu.

At the age of 15, Jason successfully started singing and playing guitar at various events and travelled across 20 countries and six continents showcasing his talents.

Jason warmed the audience with a cover of Louis Armstrong’s, What a Wonderful World.

Mount Druitt Hospital 1B Short Stay Unit nurse, Esther Bautista, mixed things up with a combination performance of song and dance choreography, which included a rendition of the hit song, Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars.

Jay Somboon, registered nurse from Blacktown Hospital B41 who “loves to sing karaoke, RnB music, and is a big fan of the Backstreet Boys” brought to the stage 1990’s nostalgia with the Goo Goo Dolls hit, Iris.

Training in Bharatnatyam for 13 years, Blacktown Hospital B41 Surgical Orthopaedic Ward registered nurse, Anusha Kumar, was next up and wowed the audience with her traditional Indian dance.

“This type of traditional dancing started in ancient Indian times and has been taught through generations, conveying Hindu mythological stories that many believe today,” said Cheryl.

“Originally, this temple dance for women is often used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions.”

Keeping the dance moves coming, Blacktown Hospital B42 OP1 clinical nurse educator, Kanwal Preet Kaur, performedd a mix of Gidha and Bhangra Punjabi Folk Dance.

“Kanwal’s first stage performance was when she was four years old, and since then, she’s been dancing in youth festival during her teenage years and represented her university on a national level Gidha competition,” said Kirsty.

To close the inaugural talent show, nurse educator for BMDH Perioperative Services, Bryan Ines, left the audience mesmerised with this cover of You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban.

“Bryan has grown up singing in church and had been singing for more than 10 years,” said Kirsty.

After eight moving performances, the judges deliberated and announced the following:

Third prize: Lindt chocolate hamper valued at $150 to the man who warmed the audience with his dulcet tones, Jason Temu.

Second prize: Lindt chocolate hamper valued at $150 and a $30 Gloria Jeans voucher to the clinical nurse educator with the moves, Anusha Kumar.

First prize: Lindt chocolate hamper valued at $150 and a $150 Sydney Coliseum voucher to the man who left everyone speechless, Bryan Ines.

All other non-winning participants will receive a $30 Gloria Jeans voucher.

“Thank you for joining us,” said Cheryl.

“It’s been a moving, wonderful show today.”