The Humpty Dumpty Foundation has announced that nominations are now open for the 2020-21 Michelle Beets Award for Inspirational Paediatric Care.

The Michelle Beets Award recognises metropolitan and regional health professionals who inspire peers through their efforts to advance the health of children in New South Wales. The award’s namesake is Michelle Beets, a devoted and highly respected nurse who worked at Royal North Shore Hospital and tragically lost her life in 2010.

Michelle was inspirational, dedicated and deeply committed to nurse practice education, the highest standards of nursing professionalism and investing the best level of care for all patients.  She lost her life on 27 April 2010 and the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, with the support of NSW Health, continues to honour Michelle by rewarding inspiration in paediatric care within the NSW public health system.

The award is presented to individuals working within NSW Health who deliver pediatric care across the full spectrum of clinical practice, including medical, midwifery, nursing, and allied health.

This year there will be one winner from metropolitan New South Wales and one regional winner from the state. Winners each receive $25,000 worth of medical equipment through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for use in their facility and a $5,000 bursary for professional development, training, or research.

Funding for this award has been provided by the Hon Brad Hazzard MP, NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research.

Entrants must be nominated by peers or colleagues and the award is open to any individual health professional employed within NSW Health. Entries should demonstrate how the nominee meets the award criteria of clinical excellence in paediatric care, commitment to the principles of person-centred care, innovation and improvements in the quality of care, and inspiring others.

“We are honoured to respect the memory of Michelle Beets in such a meaningful and significant way. Every single day our frontline health professionals are delivering the highest quality care to children across Australia despite the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Humpty Dumpty Foundation founder and chairman, Paul Francis OAM.

“The Michelle Beets Award for Inspirational Paediatric Care is our way of recognising those individuals who truly go above and beyond and inspire others to achieve the best possible health outcomes for children. The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is blessed that the NSW Health Minister Hon Brad Hazzard continues to be such a committed supporter of this important award and we look forward receiving the incredible nominations from across NSW Health,” he said.

The judging panel for this year’s award includes representatives from the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, consumer advocates and clinical experts representing a range of specialty groups.

Nominations are open until 24 September 2021 midnight AEST.

The winners will be announced at this year’s The Great Humpty Ball, Sydney on Saturday 20 November 2021 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.