Murdoch midwife awarded Nurse of the Year

Friday 2 September 2011

St John of God Hospital Murdoch continues to be recognised across the industry, with a Murdoch midwife receiving national recognition by Catholic Health Australia.

At a gala celebration in Canberra, Murdoch midwife Kerry Brenzi was awarded the Catholic Health Australia 2011 Nurse of the Year.

An experienced and dedicated midwife who has worked at Murdoch since 1995, Kerry received the award in recognition of the significant and compassionate way she works with grieving parents.

At her own initiative and in her own time, Kerry has assembled ‘memory boxes’ for the parents to take home to keep their baby’s momentos, which include cards for foot and handprints, the cot card, sachet for a lock of hair, an outfit to dress the baby, a quilt and a cot card with the details of birth weight and length. A prayer card, a grief booklet and some appropriate words and verses are also included and information about support services available in WA. There is also a teddy bear which may be given to a sibling.

Murdoch Director of Nursing, Adam Coleman, said Kerry was an exceptionally compassionate nurse, with a special interest and skills in helping families in times of grief.

“This recognition for Kerry is something very special to us. The death of a baby is a difficult time for parents and many feel lonely and frightened,” he said.

“She is able to find the right words to say to the family including siblings of the baby, while being aware that everyone grieves differently. She also educates and supports fellow caregivers.

"Kerry demonstrates a high level of respect and dignity, and an appreciation of individuality through her compassionate care,” he said

Kerry said she was surprised to win the award.

“I feel humbled and honoured to receive this award, knowing I can provide a memorable keepsake for a grieving family in times of such sad loss is a reward in itself,” she said.

Murdoch Chief Executive Officer, Peter Mott, said Kerry’s achievement recognised not only Kerry’s unique skills and talents, but also reflected the compassionate care provided across the hospital.

“We are really excited for Kerry and this award reflects the quality of care we aspire to provide every day to all of our patients,” he said.

This award is the latest in a series of significant local and national recognitions for Murdoch. Recent significant achievements for the hospital include:

• Number one private maternity hospital in WA in a recent national Medibank Private survey
• Recipient of the national “Babe” Norman Nursing and Midwifery Doctoral Scholarship for 2011 (Gail Ross-Adjie)
• Nomination for Graduate Nurse of the Year in the 2011 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards (Kizzi Neale)
• Awarded 2010 Acute Care Metropolitan Enrolled Nurse of the Year in the 2010 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards (Robyn Jenkinson)

Image: Murdoch midwife Kerry Brenzi with her 'memory boxes'