Summary
Central Queensland Health has celebrated its star performers with the 2025 Staff Recognition Awards, presented in Gladstone on July 29.
Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said she was proud of the contribution of all the health service’s staff, who dedicate themselves to providing great care to the region.
“There are many who do a great job every day caring for Central Queenslanders, but we feel it’s important to stop once a year to say a big thanks, and really call out those who have made a big difference,” she said.
“Our people don’t come to work to win awards, but we really want them to know that their extraordinary efforts are highly valued and greatly appreciated.
“That’s why we celebrate peer-nominated awards every year.”
The 2025 winners are:
- Clinical Staff Member of the Year: Dr Preeti Patil for her outstanding commitment and contributions to birthing and gynaecological services across Central Queensland. Her compassionate, patient-centred approach has set a new standard in maternal health care, ensuring every woman feels heard, respected, and empowered.
- Team of the Year: CQHHS Renal Service provides care closer to home, with new services opening last year in the Capricorn Coast and Longreach. It was the team’s busiest year to date, providing around 17,000 dialysis treatments.
- Clinical Support Staff Member of the Year: Ian Butler, Team Leader Business and Decision Support Team, who promotes innovation and is a visionary leader.
- Transforming Health Award: Gladstone Nurse-led Walk-in Clinic, offering same-day care for non-life-threatening conditions. It provides accessible, free and timely care without need for appointments.
- Health Equity Award: Central Queensland Tuberculosis Team for its comprehensive response to a community-led TB screening and treatment campaign working with Elders, local health staff, schools and others.
- Pursuing Innovation Award: Dr Michael Lamparelli, Specialist General Surgeon, for championing innovative tele-surgical technology enabling real-time virtual collaboration for complex procedures. A strong advocate for rural generalism, Dr Lamparelli actively supports rural clinicians working at full scope with specialist backup, ensuring equitable access to quality care in remote communities.
- Rural and Remote Health Award: Emerald Operating Theatre team, for showing resilience, taking on new challenges and accepting any hurdle that comes their way. This is a small team, but one that gets the job done, embracing new technology and advocating for their patients while providing high quality care.
- Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award: Anne-Marie Rawson and Deanna Price from Gladstone Hospital Pharmacy team for their work upgrading the pharmacy storage space and improving work processes to greatly reduce risk of injury.
Ms Blackler congratulated the award winners and thanked all Central Queensland Health’s staff for their dedication and hard work in providing great care to Central Queenslanders.
