NOVEMBER 2025
ISSUE 10
HORNSBY HIGHLIGHTS NEWSLETTER
Gathering of Kindness Week Page 3
Time in Service Awards 2025 Page 4
L.O.V.E.D Awards Page 4
Michelle Beets Awards 2025 Page 2
November 2025
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Dear colleagues, As we approach my first month working in Hornsby Ku - Ring - Gai Hospital, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements and milestones we ’ve celebrated together . First and foremost, I am thrilled to congratulate Gosha Gersbach, Clinical Midwifery Specialist, on receiving the prestigious Michelle Beets Award. Gosha’s dedication to neonatal care and her commitment to family - centred care have made a profound impact on our patients, families, and colleagues. Her vision to establish an education fund for maternity staff is a testament to her selflessness and passion. I also had the privilege of meeting Mayor Warren Waddell of Hornsby Shire Council, who expressed his appreciation for the vital role our hospital plays in the community. The Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting HKH into the future , a partnership that strengthens our vision of delivering quality healthcare . This month, we proudly joined NSW Health in celebrating Gathering of Kindness Week. The theme, “One care, many voices–because kindness lives here” , inspired activities such as stone decorating for our future Kindness Garden, a collaborative colouring - in poster, and origami messages of thanks. These initiatives remind us of the power of compassion in healthcare. NSLHD held it’s Annual Public Meeting on 21 November 2025, they showcased how digital innovation is transforming the way we connect, share information and deliver care across the health system. I was honoured to present Time in Service Certificates to colleagues marking milestones from 10 to an incredible 45 years of service , an achievement that speaks volumes about the dedication and culture that make HKH a great place to work. I was equally delighted to present the L.O.V.E.D. Awards for Employee and Team of the Month, recognising staff who go above and beyond in caring for patients and supporting each other. Congratulations to all recipients , you inspire us every day. Finally, I look forward to seeing you at our End - of - Year “Thank You Lunch” Event on Friday, 12 December 2025 at the Yarning Circle. For those on evening shifts, special deliveries will ensure you don’t miss out. This celebration is our way of saying thank you for your incredible efforts throughout the year. As we head into the festive season, I wish everyone a joyful and safe holiday. For those taking a well - earned break, enjoy time with loved ones. Thank you to all our staff who are working during the holidays, thank you for continuing to provide exceptional care to our patients and community. Best Regards,
Amanda Green - General Manager, HKH
GATHERING OF KINDNESS WEEK 2025
Hornsby Ku - ring - gai Hospital was proud to join NSW Health staff and communities across the state in celebrating Gathering of Kindness Week, held from 11 – 16 November 2025. This annual event encourages us all to pause, reconnect, and recognise the impact that simple acts of kindness can have on patients, families, carers, visitors, and staff. This year’s theme “One care, many voices – because kindness lives here” celebrates the shared commitment to compassion that strengthens our health services and the communities they serve.
During the week, staff, patients, and visitors were invited to participate in a range of creative and uplifting activities held in the hospital’s main foyer and on Level 5.
Participants decorated smooth stones with messages and artwork symbolising kindness, hope, and encouragement. These stones will be sealed and displayed in a new Kindness Garden on the hospital grounds, creating a meaningful space that will continue to grow each year.
A large “Kindness Lives Here” communal colouring - in poster was completed over two days, with contributions from staff, patients, carers, and visitors. The finished artwork will be framed and displayed near the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Room, serving as an annual reminder of the power of shared creativity and community. Visitors and staff wrote heartfelt messages of thanks on origami hearts, recognising the dedication of HKH teams. These messages will be shared with staff across the hospital to acknowledge their ongoing commitment to compassionate, person - centred care.
Page | 2
CONGRATULATIONS GOSHA GERSBACH
The Maternity Team is delighted to announce that Gosha Gersbach, CMS 2 in Special Care Nursery, has been awarded the Michelle Beets Award for 2025! This honour recognises her exceptional dedication, skill, and commitment to paediatric and neonatal care. Gosha achieved the highest score among more than 50 nominations across New South Wales. Submissions were reviewed by an independent judging panel of clinical experts from multiple specialties, alongside consumer advocates.
As part of this prestigious recognition, Gosha’s name will be added to the Michelle Beets Plaque at Royal North Shore Hospital Emergency Department. In addition, $25,000 will be directed towards neonatal equipment for our service through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, along with $5,000 to support Gosha’s professional development. In true testament to her selfless nature, Gosha has expressed her wish to establish an education fund for HKH maternity colleagues, ensuring the entire team can benefit from her professional journey. We couldn’t be prouder that Gosha’s tremendous efforts and contributions to providing the highest
standard of care for our tiniest patients — and their families — are being celebrated. A huge congratulations to our wonderful Gosha! We also extend our sincere thanks to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for their ongoing support and recognition of HKH. We are forever grateful.
Page | 3
TIME IN SERVICE AWARDS 2025
Hornsby Ku - ring - gai Hospital proudly honoured staff who have reached remarkable service milestones, from 10 years to an incredible 45 years. These awards reflect the commitment, loyalty, and passion that make HKH a truly exceptional place to work. 10 Years of Service Amanda Loder, Ju - Hwan Kim, Alana McMahon, Ann Matich, Kahlee Heath, Desli Curran, Keri Lockwood, Sita Pandey, Oriana Kaminski, Fiona Selimi, Shenaaz Mazid, Jessica Fisher, Samantha Drea, David Lawson, Kelly Hennessy, Durga Neupane, Julia Redmond, Joanna Vosper, Johanne Valdez, Lauren Quirk, Mi Oh, Linda O’Hanna, Kim Stewart, Rebecca Grouse, Whitney Roberts, Xiao Yu Xu, Daniel Broderick, Deng Li, Joshua Innes, Darin Westaway, Haowei Yu, Meera Mani, Bhawana Wasti Nepal, Simmerjyot Gill, Lingyan Lin, George Davison, Vida De Guzman, Thea Bishop and Carolyn Coulton. 15 Years of Service Maziar Razavian, Helen Sutton, Richard Clarke, Jane McAuliffe, Maria Tolentino, Qj Zhang, Katherine Croft, William Chan, Rebecca Wilkins, Sarah Blewitt, Yufei Gong, Fiona Li, Kieran Somerville, Yanying Xie, Claudia Tong, Katryna Dening, Michelle Kerr, Nadia Bowman, Xiuting Jin, Jayeshkumar Parikh, Penelope Comerford, Ann Riitano, Adele Rees and Anu John. 20 Years of Service Elizabeth Marles, Jennifer Kendrick, Anna Gill, Lumiere Talens, Marie Florence, Emily Lyons, Rita Innes, Gillian Dingle, Anne Friend, Kate Miller, Kirsten Johnston, Shu Lang Lay, Jiayin Mei, Rowena Mayol and Mala Saurty. 25 Years of Service Nick Cockrell and Gosha Gersbach. 30 Years of Service Charles Lawrie, Joanne Veale, Maryanne D’Souza, David Whare, Paul Smith and Joanne Hayman. 35 Years of Service Sally Peterson and Philip Funnell. 40 Years of Service Geoffrey Graham and Jane Kelleher. 45 Years of Service Olwyn Cox and Ian Cameron. Congratulations to all recipients! Your dedication and professionalism inspire us every day and strengthen the culture of excellence at Hornsby Ku - ring - gai Hospital. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to caring for our patients and community.
Page | 4
L.O.V.E.D. AWARDS: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Marielle’s first instinct is always to help — even when it means putting her own needs aside. Her selflessness and commitment to others are extraordinary, and every time she steps in, things become better and easier for everyone. We are truly the luckiest department to have her. Marielle embodies compassion and attentiveness, fostering trust by genuinely listening and ensuring every voice is heard. She engages in meaningful discussions, addressing the unique needs of patients and colleagues with empathy and respect. Her dedication to follow - through reflects her deep sense of responsibility and integrity. As a mentor, Marielle empowers others with thoughtful guidance
and encouragement, helping them reach their potential. Her collaborative spirit and balanced perspective create harmony within the team. Whether supporting patients, families, or staff, Marielle radiates kindness and professionalism in everything she does. Thank you, Marielle, for your unwavering generosity and for making the OT department a better place every day. L.O.V.E.D. AWARDS: TEAM OF THE MONTH Congratulations to the 3B Rockstars (Vivian Nguyen, Kate Devaney, Girlie Baylon and Patrick Clarke) for an outstanding achievement! This incredible team has not only topped the charts as NSLHD’s number one fundraiser during STEPtember, raising an impressive $5,523, but they also powered their way into the Top 3 for steppers with a phenomenal 2,025,076 st eps. Your energy, commitment, and team spirit have truly shone throughout the event . Special shout - out to Vivian Nguyen, who secured 2nd place in individual fundraising, contributing an amazing $4,387 to the cause. Your dedication is inspiring! STEPtember Highlights : •
Top 1 Fundraising Team: 3B Rockstars – $5,523
Top 3 Stepping Team: 3B Rockstars – 2,025,076 steps
•
• Top 2 Individual Fundraiser: Vivian Nguyen – $4,387 This achievement reflects the incredible teamwork and commitment of our staff to making a difference. HKH is proud of your achievements!
Page | 5
NSLHD PMES ROADSHOW AT HKH
Hornsby Ku - ring - gai Hospital is pleased to host the NSLHD People Matter Employee Survey Roadshow on Monday, 8 December 2025 at 3:30 pm in Meet Room 1, Level 5, Building 60. This important session will feature Executive Director People and Culture, Kerrie Pryke, alongside Chief Executive, Anthony Schembri, who will share and discuss the results of the 2025 People Matter Employee Survey at a facility level. The discussion will provide valuable insights into staff feedback and explore opportunities to enhance workplace culture and engagement across NSLHD. The meeting will take place in person, but staff who cannot attend onsite are invited to join online via Microsoft Teams. Please note that the session will not be recorded, so we encourage everyone to attend live to participate in the conversation. For any questions or further information, please contact Lauren Fouracre, Executive Support Officer People and Culture, at Lauren.Fouracre@health.nsw.gov.au
Page | 6
HKH END-OF YEAR THANK YOU LUNCH
Page | 7
HKH YOUTH MEETS EXECUTIVE LEADERS
On 5 November 2025, Hornsby Ku - ring - gai Hospital hosted its first “Youth Meets Executive Leaders: A Breakfast Conversation”. The event brought together young staff members from across the hospital, representing a diverse range of disciplines including Allied Health, Nursing, Administration, and Corporate Services. This breakfast provided a unique opportunity for emerging professionals to engage directly with HKH executive leaders, share ideas, and discuss the future of healthcare at our hospital. The conversation focused on career development, leadership pathways, and fostering a collaborative culture that supports innovation and growth.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the openness of the dialogue and the chance to connect with senior leaders in a relaxed setting. Many expressed that the event strengthened their sense of belonging and inspired them to contribute even more to the hospital’s vision.
HKH looks forward to continuing these conversations and creating more opportunities for our young workforce to shape the future of healthcare.
The HKH Youth Advisory Group is part of the NSLHD Youth Advisory Board, a forum where young leaders meet and work collaboratively to generate innovative solutions and share ideas to shape the future of NSLHD.
If you are an employee of HKH, between 18 - 35 years old and are interested in joining this group , please use the QR code provided.
Page | 8
AMPUTEE REHABILITATION NETWORK MEETING
On Thursday, 13 November, Hornsby Hospital hosted the Australian Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation Network meeting and education afternoon, the first face to face gathering since COVID. The hybrid event brought together approximately 100 amputee physiotherapists from across Australia, with 50 attending in person from Sydney, Newcastle, Dubbo, Wollongong, and in between, and 50 joining online via Microsoft Teams. The event featured expert presenters from across the country, sharing their knowledge and experience in amputee care. The program combined theoretical insights and practical demonstrations, with contributions from prosthetists and specialist amputee physiotherapists. Feedback from attendees both online and in person highlighted the value of connecting, learning, and supporting each other. Many expressed that it was a privilege to come together and share the passion for upskilling and advancing best practice in amputee rehabilitation. Photos of the event below and the prize awarded to the lucky door prize winner - Barbie with a prosthesis!
Page | 9
PERSON CENTERED SHOWCASE: UNDER THE “C”
At the Person - Centred Care Showcase 2025, the team from Ward 3C Rehabilitation at Hornsby Ku - Ring - Gai Hospita l, Natasha Beauchamp, Carmen Yuan, Declan Marx, and Joanne Suico , shared how they adapted the Safewards model to improve patient experiences. With years of rehabilitation expertise, these nurses focus on holistic recovery, recognizing the importance of mental wellbeing during long hospital stays. Their goal: involve patients in meaningful activities to boost morale and engagement.
The Safewards Approach
Originally designed for mental health settings, Safewards offers ten interventions to reduce conflict and foster positive relationships. Ward 3C have implemented two: Know Each Other: Staff share personal interests on the ward, building rapport and breaking down barriers.
Discharge Messages: Patients leave encouraging notes for others, creating hope and community.
Early feedback shows stronger nurse - patient relationships, improved therapy engagement, and better ward morale. Patients enjoy connecting with staff and learning from past experiences — proof that person - centred care transforms rehabilitation.
Page | 10
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
“Both times I was hospitalised for a week, including surgery, and both times I was met with thoughtfulness, genuine concern and personalised care from the day and night staff working on the Star Wing.” ...your staff made me feel comfortable, safe and cared for during a very challenging time... Your team was thorough and considerate of me throughout the entire visit, and I walked away feeling assured, care for, and very pleased with my care from the team, and wider team in ED. Many thanks for the lovely way you looked after.....he has really enjoyed the kindness and caring you have show him Thanks too to the nurse who came out to our home for treatments over the weekend. She did a very good job, was clean and careful. It must be tricky working in such a different setting compared with a hospital, but she managed beautifully. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional care we received from our midwife ... throughout both pregnancies, including during birth and after birth care. Her professionalism, extensive knowledge, and compassionate support made such a difference to our birth experiences for both of our sons. Thank you for all the support, guidance, and encouragement you have given me during my hospital long stay. You have helped make this difficult journey less overwhelming and I am very grateful for your kindness and care. As lovely as it is to have her home, we do miss all the amazing midwives, nurses and doctors who took such great care of her for so long. We are eternally grateful to you all. A note of thanks to the nursing staff of Ward 3B for their superb, dedicated, professional & caring nursing attention shown to me during my stay. Thanks to doctors & the Oncology Team for their investigations, analysis, advice, and directions. Thanks also are due to the kitchen and food delivery staff for the excellent food and the cleaning staff for keeping the room in order and for the cheerful manner in which they carried out their duties.
Ward 3A
ED
Ward 2D
HITH
Midwifery Group Practice
Social Work
SCN
Ward 3B
Medical
Catering & Hotel Services
Page | 11
LAUNCH OF KINDLAB
Launch of Kindlab - Gathering of Kindness Week 2025 NSW Health is offering $5,000 – $25,000 in funding to help strengthen a culture of kindness and compassion across our health system. Through Kindlab, we’re inviting ideas from staff and consumers on how to bring more kindness into healthcare. Applications open 13 November and will close 19 December. Assessments will take place in early 2026, with announcements in May. For more information, visit the Kindlab website .
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AWARENESS WEEK
World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week was held on 18 - 24 November. It is a global campaign to promote and increase action to tackle the emergence of drug resistant pathogens. Each year, hundreds of people die in Australia as a result of antimicrobial resistance. Without decisive interventions, we risk losing the effectiveness of life - saving antimicrobial treatments.
This year's theme is Act Now: Protect our Present. Secure our Future. AMR is one of the greatest threats to human health the world is facing. A promotion stand took place on the 18 th of November where there was a quiz to encourage discussion and an "Escape Room" activity to solve the case of a septic patient. A big thank you to all who took part .
Page | 12
ALLIED HEALTH WELLNESS COMMITTEE
Page | 13
ALLIED HEALTH WELLNESS COMMITTEE
Page | 14
EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE AWARDS 2025-2026
Nominations for Exceptional People Awards 202 5- 26 are open! Do you know an individual, team or volunteer who is exceptional, who lives the true meaning of our CORE Values and Behaviours Charter and who goes over and above to make a difference? Now is the time to nominate them in the Northern Sydney Local Health Dis trict Exceptional People Awards for 2024. To nominate a staff member or team, please complete the staff online nomination form. Nominations are open to patients and consumers as well. If you know a patient, carer, or family member who would like to put forward a nomination, please share this link with them. Nominations will close at 7pm, 19 December 2025. The nine award categories are: 1. Partnering with Consumers & Carers Award 2. Safe & Connected Care Award 3. Healthy & Well Communities Award 4. Engaged & Supported People Award 5. Research, Innovation & Digital Health Award 6. Sustainability & Planetary Health Award 7. CORE Values & Behaviours Award 8. Youth Achievement 9. Leadership
For more information about the awards and to see the previous Exceptional People Awards winners, visit Exceptional People Awards page on our intranet. If you have any questions regarding the awards, please reach out to nslhd- odteam@health.nsw.gov.au.
Page | 15
CHRISTMAS STALL
Page | 16
Page | 17
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online