The outstanding work of health staff has been celebrated at the 2023 NSW Multicultural Health Communication Awards.
Acting NSW Health Secretary Deb Willcox AM congratulated the seven winners across the six categories, for effectively engaging people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
“Understanding and connecting with our multicultural communities is critical to providing equitable health outcomes for all,” Ms Willcox said.
“All of the winners, whether it be communicating in language to protect Pasifika communities from Japanese Encephalitis, designing resources for Syrian and Iraqi people with a disability to help them access services, or translating nutrition information to help cancer patients show how we can enact real change by connecting with CALD communities.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the work of Sumithira Joseph, from Western Sydney Local Health District who has won Staff Member of the Year for her work providing mental health support for multicultural communities.
“I would also like to acknowledge the joint winners of the Consumer-Community Representative of the Year, Georgette Hilmi and Naglaa Sourour, both also from Western Sydney Local Health District.”
NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service Director Lisa Woodland said many of the finalists co-designed resources with communities to deliver accessible and culturally responsive health information.
“I want to thank all the winners and finalists for their work helping to serve CALD communities in a culturally sensitive way,” Ms Woodland said.
“It has been 20 years since the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service initiated these awards and we are proud to showcase the inspiring work that promotes health equity and addresses the health information needs of all NSW communities.
“More than half of the NSW population were either born overseas or had a parent who was born overseas and many of those speak a language other than English at home. I am extremely proud that our health care system is responsive to their unique needs and empowers them to make informed decisions about their health.”
Winners
Keeping People Health
Keep Mozzies Away – Protecting Pasifika Communities from Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Ministry of Health
Excellence in Communicating with Refugee Communities
Co-designing Resources for Syrian and Iraqi People with Disability
NSW Refugee Health Service
Transforming Patient Experience
Nourishing our CALD Head and Neck and Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients
Northern Sydney Local Health District
Consumer/Community Representative of the Year
Georgette Hilmi
Western Sydney Local Health District
Naglaa Sourour
Western Sydney Local Health District
Staff Member of the Year
Sumithira Joseph
Western Sydney Local Health District
Judges’ Choice Award
Coffs Harbour Hospital Expansion – Younger Stories Exhibition
Mid North Coast Local Health District and Health Infrastructure
For more information about the Awards, please visit:
