Congratulations to our recent STAR Award winner for Outstanding Care or Service Delivery, Kristy Lewis, Associated Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM), Chestnut Gardens.
This award is for an individual, group or team who has achieved outstanding care, or service delivery. This may include:
- Achieving excellent results in their key performance areas
- Delivering a consistently high-quality service
- Establishing a pattern of continuous performance improvement
Kristy was nominated by the Residential Care team for this award. After a lengthy secondment with the Monash Health Vaccination Clinic, Kristy returned to the Residential Care program last year. Kristy has since supported the delivery of a COVID-19 vaccination program for the Residential Aged Care Service over the past year, combining her experiences with the Vaccination Clinic, clinical skills and understanding of residents.
Monash Health has approximately 200 residents living in 4 facilities across south-eastern Melbourne, with approximately half of these residents residing in a Psychogeriatric setting (with chronic mental illness, Dementia and challenging behaviours).
Many of the residents and their families needed additional support to make decisions and consent to vaccinations. At times, complex social circumstances also contributed to difficulty in decision-making. Kristy has worked tirelessly to meet with residents and their families to educate them about COVID-19 vaccination.
She displayed great tenacity and a willingness to build relationships with residents and families over time. Kristy also showed great capability when explaining the benefits and risks of the vaccine, which was critical in obtaining informed consent for many of our residents. Combining her integrated clinical skills and experience, Kristy was also able to safely and professionally administer the vaccinations for elderly, and at times confused, residents.
About her work, Kristy says, “I’m very passionate about ensuring every one of our residents is being given the timely opportunity to be up to date with their COVID-19 boosters, as we know the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death increases with age. I was able to bring my vaccination experience from my time at the Mass Vaccination Hubs, and apply it to set up, manage, and facilitate a vaccination program for our four residential homes, which has successfully contributed to keeping our residents safe and maintaining a high level of vaccinations rates.”
Supporting Kristy’s nomination for the award, Cameron Duncan, Director of Clinical Operations (DCO), Residential Care, Kingston Centre praised her for aligning her work with Monash Health’s guiding principles.
“I believe Kristy’s nomination is a great example of working with humility, kindness and compassion, to deliver safe, high quality and timely care. She has provided a great example of utilising her skills in one part of Monash Health, continuing to provide value for another program and optimise outcomes for the community.”
Upon receiving the award, Kristy shares, “I was surprised to be nominated but couldn’t be happier that I was selected and won! It’s wonderful to be recognised for the dedication and perseverance in excellence that I have shown to our residents.
“Thank you to Cameron Duncan and Jill Jukes, General Manager, Residential Care for the nomination, for giving me this opportunity and supporting me in this new role. The program also couldn’t have run without the help of Dee Loader, Michelle Wills, and Monash Immunisation who have been so kind and helpful. I would also like to thank the wonderful staff in Residential Services, and our residents who allow us into their homes every day to provide the kind and compassionate care they deserve.
“I would also like to thank Rebecca McLochlan, Nurse Unit Manager, Cranbourne Turf Club, Emma West, Project Director, Strategy, Transformation and Projects, and the team from the Mass Vaccination Hubs. Because of their fantastic leadership and the secondment position, I was able to use the skills, expertise and knowledge gained from this position, into a vaccination program for Residential Services. ”
Congratulations Kristy on winning the STAR Award!
Approved by Chris McLoughlin, Executive Director, People and Culture