A much-loved team of nurses at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton have been recognised for providing care and comfort to patients for a combined 65 years.
High Dependency Unit (HDU) Nurse Unit Manager Judy Borg was awarded a Mater Long Service Award for 25 years of service at the hospital.
Four other members of Judy’s team were recognised at the Mater Long Service Awards ceremony including Natasha Kapernick (15 years), Hannah Stewart (10 years), Rosmy Mathew (10 years) and Jasmin Abalos (5 years).
Judy started her training at the Mater Adults and Children’s Hospital in Brisbane in 1986 and said she “lived, worked and breathed” everything about Mater.
She started at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton as casual nurse in 1998, later accepting a permanent position.
Inspiring nurses to grow and develop their long-term skills at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton is a passion of Judy’s.
“My team of 10 is incredible and passionate in caring for patients that require high dependency care, and I’m proud to watch them grow into confident senior nurses,” Ms Borg said.
“I have seen a lot of change over the past 25 years, but the best part is working with friends that have become family and providing compassionate care for patients and families when they’re at their most vulnerable.
“They’ve become like family, and I love watching them in their personal lives experiencing marriage, babies, and young families.”
Judy said many of her patients had created an impact on her life.
“I remember caring for a lady who was experiencing multiple organ failure,” she said.
“The whole team at the HDU and the specialists were able to get her well enough to go home, where she lived for another three years.
“The patient had donated a hamper to the unit, which was then raffled off and monies raised went back to purchase three cardiac stethoscopes for the unit.
“Everyday is different for our team, and sometimes there’s certain patients you just can’t forget.”
Feature image: L-R Natasha Kapernick, Judy Borg, Hannah Stewart, Rosmy Mathew. Absent: Jasmin Abalos.
Pictured left: Judy Borg starting her career at Mater Adults and Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.
