CDN Recognition Awards

NORTHERN TERRITORY CHRONIC DISEASES NETWORK RECOGNITION AWARDS - 2009

The awards provide an opportunity to recognise the achievements of individuals, teams and organisations involved in a variety of activities and to recognise and celebrate the diversity, commitment to and value of the vast amount of work being done in the field of chronic diseases across the NT.

ENTRY CATEGORIES

1. Chronic Disease Health Promotion / Program Delivery Award (Team)

Awarded to a team or an organisation that has developed and implemented a program based on the key principles of health promotion and that actively addresses chronic disease risk factors or impact of chronic disease. The program should demonstrate sustainability, engagement with the community, be based upon current evidence and incorporate comprehensive evaluation.

2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health & Leadership Award (Individual or Team)

Awarded to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person or team who currently works in the field of Chronic Disease and has made an outstanding contribution to Aboriginal health in a Northern Territory community. The person may work in an urban, rural or remote setting and across a range of roles such as Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer, Strong Women, Strong Babies Strong Culture worker, Aboriginal Health Worker, Women's Health worker, Aboriginal Mental Health Worker, Drug and Alcohol worker, Nurses, Trainees, planning, policy or research workers.

3. Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Chronic Disease (Individual)

Awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in the field of chronic disease considering factors such as best practice, innovation, leadership, mentoring, advocacy roles and contributions to strategic planning, policy and research.

4. Public Policy / Legislation Award (Organisation)

The Public Policy / Legislation Award is given to an organisation or coalition that has been effective in promoting policy or legislative change that reduces the chronic disease burden on a National, Territory or local level.

• 2009 nomination form

Winners and nominees for 2009 were:

Chronic Disease Health Promotion / Program Delivery Award

Nominees:
Mary Wynne and Oenpelli staff - Healthy for Life Coordinator, Oenpelli 
Milikarpiti Clinic staff, Tiwi Health 
Activate NT program - General Practice Network NT, Darwin City Council and the City of Palmerston 
Health Promotion Team - Pintupi Homelands Health Service

Winner:
Activate NT program - General Practice Network NT, Darwin City Council and the City of Palmerston

Activate NT is a 10 week community healthy lifestyle challenge run annually in Darwin and Palmerston.

This year saw the program reach new heights by combining two programs previously run in separate communities, into one. The active engagement of both local councils, corporate sponsors, community based organisations and local community members, in the planning and implementation of the program, clearly demonstrates the strength of partnerships, collaborative approaches and community involvement

The achievements made in terms of reducing chronic disease risk and promoting healthy lifestyles, were considerable: 304 participants, 21.8 million steps were taken, 93.5 kilos of collective weight lost, 180.2cm collective waist reduction, 5 new Heart Foundation walking groups, Ongoing exercise sessions with exercise physiologist, new CDU gym class, regular bike riding group

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health & Leadership Award

Nominees:
Cassimira Munkara - SAHW, Nguiu - Tiwi 
Malcolm Darling - Men's Health Coordinator , Danila Dilba - Darwin 
Maria Nickels - Aboriginal Health Worker, Community Midwife, Maternal Child Youth Health program, Department of Health and Families

Winner:
Maria Nickels - Aboriginal Health Worker, Community Midwife, Maternal Child Youth Health program, Department of Health and Families

Maria has had a varied career in health which has seen her fulfil a range of roles in women's, health, clinical research, preventable chronic disease, and now in community midwifery. In this time she has actively pursued opportunities to broaden her clinical and research skills. She has been instrumental in establishing the MenziesSHR Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment strategy, staff network and is now involved in the ethics subcommittee. Maria's contributions will undoubtedly ensure the ongoing best clinical practice for patients and improved mentoring and support of her new colleagues. Her passion, ability to engage with people in a meaningful way, commitment, advocacy and caring manner, have been central to her work and as such she is a fine example to her peers.

CONGRATULATIONS Maria

Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Chronic Disease

Nominees:
Bhavini Patel - Director Pharmacy Royal Darwin Hospital, Care Coordination, "I'M OK" Chronic Kidney Disease project 
Eileen Boyle - Indigenous Lung Health Manager Aust. Lung Foundation

Winner:
Bhavini Patel - Director Pharmacy Royal Darwin Hospital, Care Coordination, "I'M OK" Chronic Kidney Disease project

Bhavini's role has been critical to implementing the I'm OK project - a project aimed at changing the way care is provided for people with late stage Chronic Kidney Disease across the whole of the NT.

Significant changes and advancements have been made as an outcome of the project including:

• The adoption of care coordination for specific complex cases so the needs of the clients and families are better met
• Case conferencing (via phone) to improve specialist / primary health care interface for patient management is now a routine clinical practice between health professionals
• Advanced care planning for chronic conditions so clients wishes and those of the family are met and understood by families and health professionals

Bhavini coordinated and provided support to the many people involved in this project by providing strong leadership, advocacy for both clients and staff and she was the driving force that kept everyone engaged and moving forwards. Her professionalism was outstanding.

Public Policy / Legislation Award

No nominations were received for this category this year.

Congratulations to all nominees and winners.

2008 CDN RECOGNITION AWARD WINNERS