From little things, big things grow: Mater Health Services celebrates Mercy Week

Release date: 21/10/2008

From 21–27 September 2008 Mater Health Services celebrated Mercy Week, an annual organisation-wide acknowledgement of its unique heritage and ongoing commitment to Mater’s Mission and Values.

From 21–27 September 2008 Mater Health Services celebrated Mercy Week, an annual organisation-wide acknowledgement of its unique heritage and ongoing commitment to Mater’s Mission and Values.

Executive Director Mission Leadership, Madonna McGahan said that this year the theme focused on the role Mater plays in environmental and community sustainability.

“The small things we do every day can make a big difference to another person and to making the world a better place” said Madonna.

Mater staff, doctors and volunteers celebrated Mater’s identity, with a variety of activities including a Dublin Pilgrimage presentation, morning tea with the Sisters of Mercy and the highly coveted Mercy Awards.

The following 2008 Mercy Award winners were presented with their awards by Consultant to Mater and Convent Community Leader Sr Michaeleen Ahern rsm, Congregational Leader Sr Sandra Lupi rsm and Chairman of the Board Professor John McAuliffe.

Clinical Award: Dr Andrew Cotterill, Director, Endocrinology, Mater Children’s Hospitals

Dr Cotterill has been a passionate advocate for children and young people with diabetes in Queensland since taking up the position as Director of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Mater Children’s Hospital 13 years ago. He has actively provided support and assistance to regional, remote and rural paediatricians and other health professionals through the outreach program that he instigated over a decade ago. His collaborative and inclusive approach is highly regarded, as are his nationally recognised clinical and research skills. Dr Cotterill has recently been instrumental in obtaining Queensland Health funding to develop a state-wide program for the effective transition of young people with diabetes from paediatric to adult care. He has also overseen the development of state-wide Best Practice Guidelines which will provide a framework to assist health professionals deliver effective care to young people with diabetes.

Support Services Award: Robyn Tasker, Director, Mater ChildCare

Robyn leads the innovative team at Mater ChildCare which recently achieved an exceptional result in their re-accreditation through the National ChildCare Accreditation Council. Robyn commenced planning for re-accreditation about eight months prior and facilitated input and involvement by all the childcare team. The quality of the service was assessed against 692 quality indicators and Mater ChildCare received an exceptional result of 98.85% and a result of 100% across five of the seven quality areas including staff relationships with children and peers, and partnerships with families. Robyn has an outcomes focus and a strong team approach to promoting professionalism, quality, innovation and collaboration in the way staff delivers the services of Mater ChildCare. This result is a true reflection of Robyn’s team leadership and her focus on putting the care of the children of Mater staff first.

Team Award: Mater Broker Team

Mater Broker is an innovative Mater initiative that commenced 10 months ago to coordinate long overdue—in some cases life-saving—surgery for thousands of patients who have waited on public health lists for periods of up to seven years. Under the leadership of Darren Sonter, with Cathy Ross and Selah Williams, the team has unquestionably put the patient first. The Mater Broker Team has received numerous compliments from patients for their attention to detail, genuine care and support of both patient and families. The complexity of scale of the logistics required, coordinating thousands of patients with hospitals, surgeons, anaesthetists and travel agencies across the state, are substantial. The team have delivered quality and value to its various stakeholders and found an appropriate balance between “Mission and Margin” ensuring much needed compassionate care to thousands of people. After just 10 months in operation, this week the Team delivered Mater care to their 2000th patient.

Madonna said the enthusiastic staff participation in Mercy Week showed the spirit of Mercy was real and shared by Mater people today.

“However, recognising and celebrating the gifts, talents and values-driven behaviour of our colleagues is not confined to Mercy Day or Mercy Week,” Madonna said.

“In honouring and living our values, not only do we shape Mater, we enrich our lives personally and professionally, and give greater meaning to our lives and to those around us including our patients.

“It is how each one of us, as individuals, nurtures the spirit of Mercy and continues the Mercy tradition begun by our Foundress Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy.”

For further information, please contact:
Raegen Purse
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Mater Health Services
t: +61 7 3163 3495
e: Raegen.Purse@mater.org.au