2024 Excellence in Education

Biljana Vojnovic – Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group, South Metropolitan Health Service

Biljana is a Clinical Nurse Educator at FSH having a strong interest in teaching supported by an enthusiasm to share her knowledge within her field of cancer nursing. She is known as an advocate for recognising excellence and through her development of a ward Huddle Script has created a ward culture where nurses are motivated, positive and excited to learn. Biljana was recently the driving educational force to ensure FSH retained the international Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), one of only two hospitals in Australia to acquire this, ensuring the highest quality care in cellular therapy improving patient access to novel cellular therapy treatments. Biljana is reliable, approachable, passionate, enthusiastic, and calm. Her consistent positive attitude has created a safe learning environment where staff feel comfortable asking questions and seek clarification. She has pursued every opportunity to grow in her career and educate herself, attending workshops, seminars, conferences or after work courses/presentations related to Oncology and Haematology and enthusiastically shares her learnt knowledge with colleagues. She has been described as the heart of the ward who sees the potential in everyone, always encouraging nurses to strive to be the very best.

Dr Benjamin Hay – University of Notre Dame Fremantle

Benjamin has worked as an academic for the last 12 years and is a senior lecturer within the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoN&M) at the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA). His current position demonstrates his commitment to a culture of life-long learning. Ben’s leadership positions at the SoN&M have included Undergraduate Program Coordinator (UGPC) and 2nd year Academic Advisor. Ben and his University colleagues were responsible for developing the SMARTcare project to help address an identified issue of students’ unprofessional use of social media. This educational innovation for nursing students partners with industry and demonstrates the role of technology and social media in the healthcare industry by: encouraging it’s responsible use; role modelling it’s use in a professional context; and encouraging online networking with industry professionals for ongoing learning and employment opportunities. Ben has successfully led this project to become an event which draws students and industry together for the mutual benefit of future employment, and career opportunities.

Rosalind Gomes – Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, North Metropolitan Health Service

Rosalind is a Staff Development Nurse working within the Professional Development and Mandatory Training portfolios. Most recently her role has taken her to work within the Centre for Nursing Research to support and assist nurse researchers in developing their technical capability, which will enhance and promote their research. She has also been identified as an educator with the ability to predict workforce and education trends and creates timely solutions to fill knowledge gaps. With unwavering dedication and commitment to patient well-being as well as empowering nurses with education, Rosalind always goes above and beyond, demonstrating genuine care and respect in her daily responsibilities and is an exemplary ambassador for education and nursing being a ‘point of reference’ for all nurse education matters. Her commitment to lifelong learning, nursing, and information technology significantly enhances the digital health capabilities of the nurse education department where she develops platforms that advance safe patient care. With a calm demeanour, Ros is a role model of nursing values, and an outstanding leader, creating vision and bringing people with her.