A night to remember

12 Mar 2026

Photo: Lori Ogilvie, Ellen Ducrow, Associate Professor Rosanna Capolingua AM, Professor Con Michael AO, Jenny Wills and Annelize Jensen. 

On Thursday 5 March 2026, caregivers, leaders and honoured guests came together at St John of God Subiaco Hospital to celebrate clinical excellence across our organisation at the launch of the inaugural Professor Con Michael Clinical Excellence Awards.

Hosted by Chief Medical Officer David McCoubrie, the evening recognised the dedication, innovation and compassion shown every day across our hospitals and services, and paid tribute to a legacy that has shaped the organisation for decades.

Professor Con Michael and his family were welcomed to the event, alongside Sister Isobel Moran, Sister Pauline O’Connor, Board members Associate Professor Rosanna Capolingua AM and Professor Peter Bremner, and Group CEO Bryan Pyne.

Speakers reflected on Professor Michael’s remarkable contribution to health care and to St John of God Health Care.

Professor Con Michael

Beginning as a consultant obstetrician at SJG Subiaco Hospital in 1968, Professor Michael went on to hold senior executive roles in SJGHC including National Director Health Services Development and Group Director Medical Services. Along the way, he helped establish the organisation’s Clinical Risk and Quality framework, strengthened governance, built partnerships with medical schools and championed ethics, mental health and patient safety.

As Rosanna Capolingua noted, while Professor Michael’s many honours - including being named an Officer of the Order of Australia - are significant, it is his integrity, humility and unwavering focus on patients that make these awards such a fitting tribute.

Four awards were presented on the evening to celebrate projects or initiatives that have delivered excellence and innovation in clinical care and patient experience at our hospitals and services. Congratulations to our award winners:

• Professor Con Michael Clinical Excellence Award for Clinical Care – Team: SJG Frankston Speech Pathology Team, recognised for innovations improving outcomes for patients experiencing swallowing, voice and communication challenges, while contributing research with national impact.
• Professor Con Michael Clinical Excellence Award for Patient Experience – Team: SJG Murdoch Community Hospice Footprints Day Centre, honoured for its holistic support for people living with life-limiting illness through creative therapies, connection and community.
• Professor Con Michael Clinical Excellence Award for Clinical Care – Individual: Lori Ogilvie, SJG Berwick, for establishing multidisciplinary CTG review meetings that strengthen learning and enhance safety for mothers and babies.
• Professor Con Michael Clinical Excellence Award for Patient Experience – Individual: Annelize Jensen, SJG Midland, for developing a specialised T-shaped swaddle and leading initiatives that support families experiencing pregnancy loss with care and dignity.

Runners-up were also recognised for initiatives ranging from inclusive patient feedback to communal dining programs and compassionate end-of-life care, all reflecting the skill, innovation and heart of caregivers across the organisation.

Closing the evening, David McCoubrie reflected that clinical excellence is not only about expertise, but also the courage to improve, the willingness to learn and a deep commitment to those we serve.

The inaugural awards set a powerful benchmark in celebrating the remarkable work already happening across St John of God Health Care and inspiring continued excellence in the years ahead.