UnitingCare Health hospitals celebrate International Women's Day

UnitingCare Health has recognised the diverse achievements and contribution of women to society, particularly in the field of nursing and medicine, as part of International Women's Day.

This year's IWD theme is 'Pledge for Parity', and the group is proud to be one of the largest employers of women in Queensland.

Acting Executive Director Terence Seymour said International Women's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of women as part of our 4100-strong workforce, and in the broader community.

"At UnitingCare Health's four hospitals women provide excellence in leadership. Women throughout UCH hold senior leadership accountabilities, women such as Ms Ann Maguire, who as The Wesley Hospital General Manager manages one of the largest private hospitals in Queensland, and Ms Amanda Cruwys, who is St Stephen's General Manager and Director of Nursing and a strong advocate for regional healthcare," he said.

"Our clinical leaders include Dr Monica Trujillo, who is Australia's first Chief Medical Information Officer, and Dr Mellissa Naidoo, who is the Director of Medical Services at St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital in Spring Hill and an Executive Committee member for the Queensland Medical Women’s Society.”

Dr Trujillo, speaking at a special International Women's Day breakfast at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital at Buderim on Friday, said women had contributed to significant advances in medicine and healthcare over the past decade with regards to gender equality.

"I am proud to be among a group of dedicated and educated women who are committed to bettering the health of patients in the communities where we live and work,” Dr Trujillo said.

“Here at this hospital, 28 per cent of our doctors are female which is amazing given the national average is around 13 per cent,” she said.

In addition to her role as Director of Medical Services at St Stephen’s, Dr Trujillo is also UnitingCare Health’s Chief Medical Information Officer. Dr Trujillo was also recently appointed to the Governing Council for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) - Asia Pacific, which is a global voice, advisor and thought leader of health transformation through health IT.

Ms Cruwys said International Women’s Day was a chance to recognise “girl power” at St Stephen’s in the form of its female nurses, chaplaincy, technicians, resident medical officers, patient services, catering, supply and administration staff.

“Women were the foundational members of the nursing profession and over time it has been an absolute joy to observe male nurses growing in numbers,” Ms Cruwys said.
“Healthcare is a wonderfully rewarding profession that has in part, developed from the hard work and dedication of women and we recognise this contribution on International Women’s Day.”

Mr Seymour said UCH had in place several initiatives to encourage and develop leadership across the organisation in nursing and business, for both women and men, such as the Clinical Leaders’ Development program and the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management which is articulated through Griffith University.

"In addition, events for the medical community such as the Wesley Women in Medicine get-togethers are designed to build networks for Brisbane GPs and specialists," he said.

Mr Seymour said UnitingCare Health is proud of the contribution of all staff, both women and men, involved in providing the highest standard of clinical and non-clinical care of its patients.