A huge congratulations to all finalists in the 2026 LeasePLUS Central Queensland Health Staff Recognition Awards.

These individuals and teams were chosen from over 250 nominations recognising the difference they make in the lives of patients, families, communities and each other, across Central Queensland.

The winners will be announced at the awards presentation night on Thursday, 20 August at the Maraboon Tavern in Emerald.

Congratulations to all nominees and finalists. Finalists in each category are below.

Clinical Staff Member of the Year:

Naomi James - Nurse Practitioner Chronic Disease, Rockhampton

Cassandra Heenan - Nurse Practitioner Cancer Care, Gladstone

Jaqueline Leleu - Nurse Practitioner Palliative Care, Rockhampton

Tania White - Maternity Unit Manager, Emerald

Jemma Taylor - Director of Medicine, Rockhampton

Clinical Support Staff Member of the Year:

Sandi Brill - Manager Establishment Management & Roster Support, Rockhampton

Terry Phillips - HR and Learning Systems Analyst, Rockhampton

Pam Mitton - Recruitment Business Partner, Rockhampton

Leisa McNee - Supervisor Operational Services, Biloela

Team of the Year:

Capricornia Offender Health Service

Social Work Team, Rockhampton

Emerald Emergency Department

Health Equity Award:

Kady Colman - Nurse Navigator Midwife, Emerald

Justin Ballard - Senior Advisor Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Rockhampton

New Endings Men’s Program

People's Choice Award:

Prosper Pswarai - Registered Nurse Adult Inpatient Unit, Rockhampton

Suzanne Cook - Operational Services Officer, Rockhampton

Constance Ashe - Ward Clerk, Emerald

Integrated Referral Hub,
Rockhampton

Jemma Taylor - Director of Medicine, Rockhampton

Naomi James - Nurse Practitioner Chronic Disease, Rockhampton

Tania White - Maternity Unit Manager, Emerald

Workforce Safety and Wellbeing team

Pursuing Innovation Award:

Dr Sam Sidharta - Clinical Director Cardiology, Rockhampton

Tania White - Maternity Unit Manager, Emerald

Transit Lounge - Gladstone

Central Queensland Health Podiatry team

Transforming Health Award:

Genevieve Perrins - Research Development Manager, Rockhampton

Bree Walker - Director Clinical Governance, Quality and Safety, Rockhampton

Dr Shashank Desai - Senior Medical Officer Staff Surgeon and Dr Katarzyna (Katherine) Zalewska - Senior Medical Officer Surgery, Rockhampton

Rural and Remote Health Award:

Andrew Cunningham - Nurse Unit Manager, Emerald

Tayla Matthews - Senior Medical Officer, Mount Morgan

Jade Kimberley - Associate CNC Clinical Flow Coordinator, Emerald

Nicole Bryce - Nurse Educator, Biloela

Mary Gonzalez Castillo - Senior Medical Officer, Capricorn Coast

Health Safety and Wellbeing Award:

Shane Johnston - Operational Services, Blackwater

Mahnoosh (Mehi) Loni - Senior Workforce Safety and Wellbeing Advisor, Gladstone

Workplace Health and Safety, Acute Care and Chronic Rehabilitation and Medical teams, Rockhampton

Thank you to our sponsors of this year's staff recognition awards program.

Platinum sponsor
LeasePLUS

Gold sponsors
Australian Retirement Trust |QSuper
CQUniversity Australia
The Capricornian
Salary Packaging Australia

Silver sponsor
Home Care Nurses Australia

Bronze sponsor
Remserv
QBank
Statewide Novated Leasing
Easi Novated Leasing