2026 Excellence in Research

Dr Carrie Janerka

Carrie is an exceptional clinician, educator, and nurse researcher whose work has profoundly shaped the research culture and capability of South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS). With more than 20 years of experience across emergency nursing, clinical education, and research, Carrie holds dual roles as Acting Clinical Nurse Manager of the Nursing and Midwifery Research Unit and Senior Lecturer at Curtin University. Across both settings, she brings warmth, integrity, and a deep commitment to improving patient care through high‑quality, practice‑changing research.

In her fractional research role at SMHS, Carrie has achieved extraordinary impact. She has led research strategy development, strengthened governance processes, and built research capacity through mentoring clinicians, supporting Higher Degree by Research students, and guiding 36 nurse‑ and midwife‑led research projects. Her leadership in establishing SMHS’s first Nursing and Midwifery Research Unit has laid a strong, sustainable foundation for clinician‑led inquiry across the organisation.

Carrie’s research reflects her compassion for patients and her belief in the power of nurse‑led solutions. Her nationally recognised work on triage and waiting room care, co‑designed with consumers, has shaped policy, improved person‑centred care, and earned her the 2023 WA Health Nursing Fellowship and the 2025 Australasian Emergency Nurse of the Year award. She continues to advance critical areas of practice, including pain assessment for cognitively impaired patients, emergency care standards, and professional practice models for nurses and midwives.

A highly collaborative leader, Carrie builds strong partnerships with consumers, clinicians, Aboriginal health organisations, and academic institutions. Her co‑design of the multi‑site evaluation of Aboriginal Health Practitioner roles demonstrates her deep respect for culturally safe, community‑guided research.

Carrie’s curiosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving care make her a standout leader. She exemplifies the transformative impact of clinician researchers on health outcomes and the nursing profession. A moment she will always remember is using evidence-based practice to save a father’s life after he collapsed in the ED waiting room with chest pain. Following 45 minutes of active resuscitation, the patient responded and was transferred to the Cath lab for treatment. 

Professor Mary Steen OBE

Mary is an internationally recognised midwifery leader whose career spans more than 36 years of clinical practice, research, education, and global collaboration. As Professor of Midwifery at Curtin University and Discipline Lead within the Department of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mary holds a unique joint clinical–academic role that enables her to shape midwifery practice, develop research capability, and guide the next generation of midwives and nurse researchers.

Mary’s research career has had profound impact on maternal and child health globally. Her pioneering work on perineal trauma led to two awarded patents and the development of the femepad, an evidence-based innovation now used internationally to support women’s postnatal recovery. She has produced more than 240 peer‑reviewed publications and contributed extensively to national guidelines, public health initiatives, and service development. Her research spans perineal care, maternal mental health, digital health, disadvantaged families, and father-inclusive practice, reflecting her deep compassion for diverse parents and families.

Driven by warmth, generosity, and a genuine desire to uplift others, Mary has mentored more than 30 Higher Degree by Research students internationally, many of whom are now leading midwifery programs across the world. One of her proudest achievements is supporting the success of Africa’s first midwifery PhD graduate and helping establish a World Bank–funded African Centre of Excellence, strengthening research capacity for hundreds of midwives and child health nurses across the continent.

Mary’s dedication has shaped practice, policy, and education across Australia, the UK, Africa, Europe, and beyond. Her recognition as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire reflects her extraordinary and lasting contributions to midwifery, women’s health, and global maternal wellbeing. Her career exemplifies compassion, innovation, and a lifelong commitment to improving outcomes for women, infants, and families worldwide.

Dr Katherine Buchanan

Katherine (Kate) is an exceptional midwifery leader whose compassion, scholarship, and advocacy are transforming midwifery practice locally, nationally, and internationally. As Western Australia’s first Vice Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Midwifery at Edith Cowan University, and an Honorary Research Consultant at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Kate bridges academic excellence with real‑world impact, championing evidence‑based, ethical, and woman‑centred care.

Kate’s research achievements are remarkable. She co‑designs and leads applied research projects with South Metropolitan Health Service, translating evidence into improved midwifery practice, policy, and education. Her work has generated new insights into ethics, psychosocial care, perinatal mental health, and midwifery identity, contributions that are shaping clinical guidelines and strengthening maternity services across Western Australia.

Internationally, Kate’s influence is equally significant. One of her proudest moments was being invited by the International Confederation of Midwives to co‑lead the global review of the ICM Code of Ethics, a rare honour recognising the groundbreaking nature of her doctoral and postdoctoral work. Another milestone was her appointment as the Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow, an achievement shared by only two midwifery leaders in WA before her. Through this role, she has built research capacity across FSH and SMHS, supporting midwives to conduct meaningful research and championing initiatives that directly improve the experience of women and families.

Kate’s warmth, generosity, and authentic communication style make her a highly respected mentor, educator, and collaborator. She has supervised numerous research students, guided novice writers, and contributed tirelessly to the Australian College of Midwives. Her work continues to uplift midwives, strengthen services, and enhance the emotional and physical wellbeing of the families they care for. Dr Kate Buchanan is a true changemaker, shaping the future of midwifery with integrity, compassion, and visionary leadership.