Highly esteemed professor awarded Lifetime Achievement Honour Roll Award at WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards (WANMEA)

20 Oct 2023

Professor Leanne Monterosso receives prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honour Roll Award at WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards (WANMEA).

The Lifetime Achievement Honour Roll is awarded to nurses and midwives who have had highly impactful careers, changing the nursing and midwifery landscape in Western Australia, nationally and internationally. 

This achievement is a culmination of Leanne’s forty year career.

Leanne holds a strong legacy at both St John of God Murdoch Hospital and the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA). She was jointly appointed as Chair of Nursing (Clinical Nursing) at Notre Dame, and Chair of Nursing Research (Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research) at St John of God Murdoch.

Throughout her illustrious career expanding over forty years, Leanne has made significant strides in cancer research.

As a member of the Cancer Australia funded Primary Care Cancer Collaborative Trials Group, the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Cancer Coordination groups, and the Supportive Care Working Group of the Blood Cancer Taskforce, she played a vital role in advancing cancer care and support systems across Australia. 

One of Leanne’s significant accomplishments was the evaluation of the WA Cancer Nurse Coordinator Service in 2011, which led to key recommendations for enhancing the network’s framework, resources, and clinical/strategic components. 

Her research findings influenced the development of survivorship objectives for the 2012 WA Cancer Plan and a Cancer Survivorship Collaborative, highlighting her commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients beyond their treatment.

Leanne also conducted extensive national and statewide research that culminated in providing the evidence to support the development of the WA Child and Adolescent Health Care Paediatric Palliative Care Service.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Director of Nursing Sarah-Jayne Powell said this achievement is a testament to Leanne’s exceptional contributions to nursing, midwifery and research throughout her career.

“Leanne has committed her professional life to the nursing and midwifery professions and to the nursing care of neonatal and paediatric patients, adult patients with cancer or undergoing palliative care, and midwifery patients, both directly and through her impact on interventions and policy changes at the state, national and international level,” she said.

“We are exceptionally proud of Leanne and her legacy as a pioneer in research and care. 

“Her work has touched and continues to touch countless lives, and her dedication to improving the wellbeing of patients and their families will continue to inspire us for many years to come.

“Leanne’s dedication and passion to nursing and midwifery research has been pivotal in supporting and encouraging many of our nurses and midwives to undertake their own research and in some cases changing outcomes for patients and their families through best practice.”

Notre Dame’s National Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Karen Clark-Burg described Leanne as someone who was generous with her time and expertise, and said her work had an impact on nurses, midwives and patients around the world.

“Leanne leads with grace and humility and is endlessly supportive of her students and colleagues,” she said.

“She takes the time to acknowledge their achievements and hard work, seeking opportunities to recognise success of others and provide mentorship and support in a kind and genuine way. 

“Leanne holds a high standard to all work she is involved in or submits, and extends this high standard to colleagues she works with.”

Leanne has authored 82 peer-reviewed publications and has 1,488 Scopus citations, 3,166 Google Scholar citations, 22 state and national research reports, and a Scopus h-index of 21. 

She has supervised five PhDs and 10 Masters students to completion; with a further three PhD and three Master of Nursing by research students currently in training. 

Leanne described the award as an honour and prompted a reflection on her extensive career.   

"I am truly honoured and deeply moved to have my career recognised. This award made me reflect on everything I have accomplished and the incredible support I have received along the way – from colleagues at St John of God Murdoch Hospital and The University Notre Dame, patients, and their families. Without them, none of my work would have been possible,” she said.

"If you're fortunate enough to be guided by experts in your field who can nurture, teach, and enable you to become an expert yourself, it's a transformative experience. I was lucky to have those mentors, and they've made all the difference in my career."

Leanne now plays a pivotal role on the St John of God Health Care and Perth Children’s Hospital Ethics Committees and will see out multiple research projects while continuing to mentor Masters and PhD students until their graduation.