2023 Excellence in Rural and Remote Nursing

Kristy Wilholt – Silverchain

Kristy Wilholt is a Silverchain Primary Remote Area Nurse in Eucla, a first responder in life threatening situations across the Nullarbor Plain. She is a proactive and knowledgeable leader providing health care to the local community and a diverse range of travellers being passionate about supporting and assisting others when help is limited. 

Kristy is excellent at communicating and collaborating with her colleagues and excels in achieving the best outcomes for her patients. Her unique skillset, resilience and strong partnerships result in lifesaving care for her patients.  

Kristy provides care to consumers who have a broad range of health conditions and care requirements across rural regions. In April 2022, she saw a patient presenting with chest pain and called for help from the Emergency Telehealth Service (ETS). This consult resulted in a heart attack diagnosis and Kristy was able to give the patient thrombolysis to clear the blockage. She also organised a Royal Flying Doctor Service flight for the patient who required lifesaving cardiac surgery.