About 1,900 members of the Children’s Health Queensland team have been recognised for a decade of service to Queensland children and their families.
In the lead up to the Queensland Children's Hospital’s 10th birthday on 29 November, all staff who have worked at the hospital since it opened in 2014 have received commemorative ‘10 years of care’ pins.
Staff who have worked in Children’s Health Queensland community-based child and youth health and mental health services since the Hospital and Health Service was established in 2012 have also been recognised.
Children’s Health Queensland Chief Executive Frank Tracey said the ’10 years of care’ initiative acknowledged the contribution and impact that team members have had on the lives of children and young people across Queensland.
‘Everything that Children’s Health Queensland and the Queensland Children’s Hospital has achieved in the past decade has only been possible through the dedication and hard work of our people.
‘The hospital’s 10th birthday provided the opportunity to celebrate this unwavering commitment to the best, safest person-centred care and say “thank you” to everyone who has dedicated a decade of their careers to building our organisation into what it is today.’
‘It’s thanks to this shared purpose and drive for healthcare excellence that Children’s Health Queensland is well placed to continue delivering world-class into our next decade and beyond,” Mr Tracey said.
Among those recognised for a decade of care in 2024 is Dr Stephen Stathis, Medical Director of Children’s Health Queensland’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service.
“Working with children and families as a child psychiatrist for more than 20 years has taught me many things including the importance of listening and paying deep attention to what is said to you is one of the purest forms of generosity, we can give to the families we care for,” Dr Stathis said.
“It has been said that people may not remember what you have said, but they will always remember how you made them feel - this is especially true in mental health.”
Shail Maharaj has been a physiotherapist at the QCH since it opened, passionate about guiding families through their rehabilitation journey.
“The children and families that come into our service are here because of a catastrophic injury or illness, and I get the privilege of working with a dedicated team who help those families navigate from that lowest point to a better future,” he said.
Nursing Director of the Child and Youth Community Health Service Cathy Marron has been with Children’s Health Queensland since its inception.
“I’d like to think in my time as a childcare nurse, I’ve made a difference to a lot of people, helping parents on their parenting journey and children thrive and reach their full potential,” she said.
