Our recent STAR Award winner for Exceptional Teamwork is the Ward 54, engineering and general services at Monash Medical Centre (MMC).
The Exceptional Teamwork award is for individual, group or team who demonstrate outstanding teamwork qualities, including:
- Building an inclusive, high-performing culture.
- Working together to improve systems, processes and the work environment.
- Putting quality and kindness at the heart of everything they do.
Our Support Services department nominated the inter-professional team for their exemplary response to a significant water pipe burst in Ward 54 last December. The employees involved, include:
Support services:
- Supervisor: Lalit Kumar
- Yogesh Patel
- Jagdish Prakash
- Girlie Begego
- Sophat Son
- Geoffrey (Geoff) Lee
Ward 54 employees:
- Nursing Coordinator (NCO): Ivy Leong
- Sanduni Kodikara
- Bao Pham
- Jesus Cris Monzon
- Nilmini Fernando
- Kathryn (Katie) Haig
- Pinky Briones
Engineering On-call:
- Malcolm Wright, Manager of Engineering
Senior Leader On-call:
- Margaret (Marg) Harley, General Manager – Medicine MMC and Director of Nursing MMC
Last December, there was a significant water pipe burst in Ward 54 where some of the most vulnerable patients are treated for neurological conditions.
The collaborative response between the clinical and clinical support teams and on-call services ensured that the risk to patients and employees was minimised. As a result, it was safe for patients to remain on their home ward.
Plumbing and associated challenges were addressed by Malcolm in Engineering, Support Services tackled the clean-up, and the Ward 54 staff continued to care for patients and support the clean-up effort.
Ivy is appreciative of all the departments involved and everyone’s efforts.
“Thanks again to the incredible and outstanding general services team effort and support. And thanks to Malcolm, the engineer on call who rushed from home to assist us and the rest of the nursing staff, PSAs, RUSONs, cleaners, and everyone was ‘all hands, on deck’ outstanding teamwork.”
Marg commends the Ward staff and environment teams on their efforts as well.
“The general services teams – as they always do, rallied with the troops and their ‘sucker machine’ and managed this in the course of their work. They never complain and are the first on hand to help their colleagues. They really are an incredible team and we are very fortunate to have them. If you can please extend a heartfelt thanks – particularly from Ivy – our NCO, who was ankle-deep in water during the ordeal.”
Director of Support Services, Sharon McNulty was also proud of the team and what they represent of Monash Health.
“We are so incredibly blessed to have wonderful employees who go above and beyond to ensure everyone is safe, informed of what is happening and work together every day to achieve our pursuit of excellence in everything we do.’
Ward 54 Associate Nurse Unit Manager, Pinky Briones is humbled to receive the STAR Award with her team.
“Receiving this award makes me feel delighted that our team is recognised for our efforts. Ward 54 will continue acting with great vigilance.”
Congratulations to Ward 54, engineering and general services at Monash Medical Centre (MMC) for winning this STAR Award.
If you would like to nominate a colleague or team, you can do so at any time by visiting the STAR Awards portal. For more information about the STAR Awards program, Monash Health Employee Recognition Program page.
Approved by Chris McLoughlin (Executive Director People and Culture)