Sydney Nursing School researchers honoured

Outstanding contribution and commitment to nursing recognised
University of Sydney Nursing School Associate Professor Kate Curtis has won Nurse of the Year in Research and Innovation at the 2015 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, for her outstanding contribution and commitment to improving the lives of major trauma patients and their families.

The 2015 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards recognise the significant contribution of nurses and midwives in improving the health of the community through their professional practice and commitment to their professions.
The winners were announced by the Hon. Jillian Skinner MP, NSW Minister for Health, and the Chief Nurse of NSW at a ceremony held at State Parliament House.
Kate Curtis is an internationally renowned emergency and trauma nurse researcher and practicing trauma nurse. The trauma case management model of care validated by Kate has been implemented in trauma centres in Australia and worldwide.
Major injury in children is a life changing event for the child, their parents, caregivers and wider family.  Injury is a major cause of hospitalisation of Australia’s children, with more than 1,000 children hospitalised after sustaining an injury every week. The number of children hospitalised after injury is double those hospitalised for asthma, diabetes and cancer combined.
Kate’s mentorship of clinicians to translate their research into practice, and the ongoing impact of the research she leads into improving emergency and trauma care and was recognised at the awards.
“To receive this award is an honour, there are so many deserving nurses conducting and implementing their research that improves the way we provide care for our patients,” said Associate Professor Curtis.
Kate currently leads the multi-disciplinary Paediatric Critical Injury Research Program, the first of its kind in Australia, which consists of seven research projects and is funded by numerous stakeholders including the Day of Difference, Thyne Reid Foundation, NHMRC and the Agency for Clinical Innovation. Kate and her team work closely with NSW Ambulance, NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management, the clinicians in Australia’s paediatric trauma centres and parents of injured children.
Sandie Bredemeyer, affiliate of Sydney Nursing School, was awarded the Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award for her strong leadership and commitment to improved health outcomes as a neonatal nurse. Sandie has previously been awarded an OAM and is a registered nurse and midwife with 35 years of experience with a background in newborn care, paediatric nursing and midwifery.
Dean of Sydney Nursing School Professor Donna Waters said the faculty is so proud of Kate and Sandie. “Both are more than deserving of having their contribution recognized and celebrated through the 2015 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards. We offer them our warmest congratulations,” she said.

University of Sydney Nursing School

Studying nursing at the University of Sydney provides students access to teaching and research across all the health professions in an academically rigorous yet stimulating and supportive environment. Learning from world experts and studying alongside students from other health professions gives Sydney nursing students unique educational perspectives and inter-disciplinary practice experiences, appropriately preparing them for the complexities, challenges and rewards of health care.