Three receive awards for health care work
A local doctor and two members of the Rotary Club of Brisbane Water have received awards for their work in health care.
Woy Woy general practioner Dr Paul Duff and Rotarian Ms Bobby Redman have both been inducted into the Dedication to Service Hall of Fame by the regional Primary Health Network for "outstanding dedication to providing quality primary care over the course of their career".
Rotarian Ms Sue Huntley has received international recognition, being named an "Elimination Champion" by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination for "her tireless advocacy and leadership in the fight against hepatitis B across the Asia Pacific region".
The Dedication to Service Hall of Fame induction was peer-nominated award, according to Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network public relations manager Ms Rebecca Brennan.
"The inductees are well respected by peers and patients and actively participate in the community and professional bodies."
The 2024 Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards were held on Friday, July 26.
Ms Brennan said: "Dr Paul Duff has dedicated his life to improving the health outcomes of the community, especially those living in the Woy Woy region.
"Paul has been a mentor to many including to new GPs by providing supervision, training, and advice to ones settling on the Central Coast.
"Paul is an extremely dedicated GP going above and beyond to improve patient care within his general practice and supports staff to do the same both there and previously in the Woy Woy After Hours Medical Centre.
"His interest in providing primary care in the after-hours medical space is where he got great satisfaction from seeing individuals with many varied and sometimes quite complex medical issues.
"During the Covid pandemic, Paul was a standout provider during this complex time for primary care.
"He put in extensive after hours work in education and staff training to ensure the highest standard of care for staff and patients.
"Dr Duff is strongly committed to evidence-based medicine, and exceptional patient care and has always worked with the highest levels of compassion and integrity."
Ms Brennan said fellow award recipient Ms Bobby Redman was a retired psychologist, Bobby spent her working years helping people with disabilities and assisting them to function at their highest capacity.
"At age 66, Bobby was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
"Bobby became acutely aware of changes in her ability to perform daily tasks, some speech issues, trouble following conversations and changes in personality, leading to her diagnosis.
"Bobby didn't let this slow her down.
"In fact, she threw herself into creating dementia awareness, participating in research projects and being an active member of multiple organisations.
"Bobby's dedication to dementia over the past 10 years has led to her holding several volunteer positions including chair of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee and board member of the Dementia Alliance International.
"Bobby is a registered host for the Dementia Friends Program and has run numerous education sessions to increase dementia awareness, mainly around the Central Coast region.
"Bobby recognises the importance of social engagement and meaningful interaction, that comes with all her advocacy work, which has been a huge personal journey for Bobby.
"Her achievements, resilience, perseverance and strategies to remain independent are inspirational."
Ms Sue Huntley was one of eight people recognised by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination in acknowledgment of their contributions to health equity in the fight for global hepatitis elimination, coinciding with World Hepatitis Day on July 28.
As founder and director of the Australian voluntary charity Hepatitis B Free, Ms Huntley, a clinical researcher with a background in nursing, was named for her tireless advocacy and leadership in the fight against hepatitis B across the Asia Pacific region.
"Sue worked alongside co-founder, hepatologist Professor Alice Lee of Sydney, to establish local and national elimination programs in challenging environments, saving thousands of lives.
"Their work spans Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, and even North Korea, where she has successfully set up five clinics in a country that previously had no hepatitis services."
"Nominees were selected by a distinguished panel of judges after an open call for nominations in March.
"Nominees were required to have direct actions that have resulted in substantial and demonstrable improvements in hepatitis prevention, testing, care, and treatment in their country or community."
Website, 23 Jul 2024
Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination
Media release, 29 Jul 2024
Rebecca Brennan, HNECC PHN