The CHA Medal of Distinction award is a great opportunity to recognise those who have made significant contributions to children's health.
If you know someone whose efforts have led to genuine improvements in this area, consider nominating them. Their work might involve medical advancements, community health initiatives, educational programs, or volunteer efforts. Nominees can include healthcare professionals, community leaders, volunteers, local organisations, or teams.
Individual Medal of Distinction Award
Recognition for having made an outstanding contribution to improving the health of children through service provision, leadership or advocacy, relative to opportunity and years of experience.
Local/Community Medal of Distinction Award
For initiatives of excellence in leadership, advocacy or service provision for children in a local community setting/non tertiary settings.
Team Medal of Distinction Award
For initiatives of excellence in teamwork and collaboration that improves the care of children in a healthcare setting.
Sustainability Medal of Distinction Award
For outstanding leadership in advancing net zero and sustainability across healthcare, championing innovation and collective action to create environmentally responsible and resilient health systems.
Congratulations to our 2025 Medal of Distinction Award recipients!
Individual Medal of Distinction Award
Sophie Sennar
Medication Safety Nurse Consultant, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, SA.
Local/Community Medal of Distinction Award
Working Together for Kids Program
Werribee Mercy Hospital, VIC.
Team Medal of Distinction Award
ISAID Program
Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC
Sustainability Medal of Distinction Award
Justine Parsons
Clinical Nurse Consultant NICU, John Hunter Children’s Hospital
Honouring Excellence
A History of our Medal of Distinction Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Awarded for |
|---|---|---|
|
2025 Sustainability |
Justine Parsons |
In recognition of your outstanding leadership in driving innovative and impactful recycling initiatives within your NICU, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and a culture of sustainability, engagement and accountability amongst staff and families. |
|
2025 Team |
ISAID Program |
In recognition of your outstanding leadership in driving innovative and impactful recycling initiatives within your NICU, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and a culture of sustainability, engagement and accountability amongst staff and families. |
|
2025 Community |
Working Together for Kids Program |
In recognition of the exceptional contributions by the Werribee Mercy’s Working Together for Kids program towards enabling holistic, high quality, and coordinated care, significantly improving access and outcomes for children and young people. |
|
2025 Individual |
Sophie Sennar |
Recognised for leadership in medication safety and paediatric nursing practice. |
|
2024 Team |
Allied Health HNEKids |
Recognised for their collaborative and innovative approach to delivering allied health services to children and young people. |
|
2024 Community |
Partners in Disability Care – Paediatric Pharmacy Shared Care Model |
Recognised for developing an innovative paediatrician–pharmacist shared-care model to support children with developmental disabilities who have complex medication needs. |
|
2024 Individual |
Dr Francoise Butel |
In recognition of her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and innovation in improving services for children, young people, and their families. |
|
2023 Team |
Benjamin D’Souza and the WCHN team |
In recognition of their leadership and innovation in establishing the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service. |
|
2023 Community |
Kate Kelly and the WA Country Health team |
For their outstanding work improving health outcomes for vulnerable children and families in regional Western Australia. |
|
2023 Individual |
Prof Anne Chang |
For her outstanding leadership and international contribution to paediatric respiratory medicine and child lung health. |
|
2022 |
Dr Elisabeth Hoehn |
For exceptional leadership and contribution to paediatric nursing and the advancement of children’s health services. |
|
2021 |
Ms Helen Hutchins |
Recognised for leadership in paediatric nursing care and education. |
|
2019 |
Professor Trish Davidson AM |
For her outstanding leadership and contribution to paediatric health services and national collaboration in children’s healthcare. |
|
2018 |
Ms Christine Fan |
Recognised for contributions to health information and paediatric data systems. |
|
2016 |
Ms Pat Marks |
In recognition of her outstanding leadership and contribution to paediatric nursing and the advancement of children’s health services. |
|
2015 |
Dr Rosemary Marks – NZ |
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to paediatric healthcare, particularly through leadership in developmental paediatrics and improving services for children and young people with disability. |
|
2014 |
Mr Sean Turner |
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and contribution to paediatric pharmacy and medicines management within children’s health services. |
|
2011 |
Dr Ralph Hanson |
Consistent and dedicated contributor to CHA and beyond. Ralph’s enthusiasm and expertise have made a lasting impact. |
|
2010 |
Dr Antonio Penna |
Outstanding contribution to improving the health of children through leadership and service in paediatric healthcare. |
|
2009 |
Associate Professor Kingsley Coulthard |
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to paediatric pharmacy practice, research and leadership in children’s health services in Australia. |
|
2008 |
Professor Graham Vimpani AM |
For outstanding services to healthcare for children and young people. |
|
2007 |
Professor Frank Oberklaid OAM |
In recognition for outstanding contributions to the arena of child health, and in particular, community paediatrics. |
|
2005 |
Professor Les White AO |
In recognition of his major contribution towards advancing the agenda for children in hospital, both in operational, policy and political arenas. |
|
2004 |
Ms Anne Cahill |
Awarded for outstanding leadership and service to the women’s and children’s healthcare community, including her role in developing and strengthening national collaboration between hospitals across Australasia. |
*note: As of the year 2023 the CHA board made the decision to award three Medal of Distinctions.
Selection Criteria:
- The Medal of Distinction Award may only be awarded to those staff who work in a CHA Member Hospital or Health Service, our CHA Community.
- Solutions that are making a difference to the health and well-being of children, young people, and their families every day
- Advocacy for the health of children, young people, and their families
- Supporting equity and improving outcomes for First Nations children, young people, and their families
- Partnering with children, young people, and families and across disciplines
- Sharing of excellence and innovation to peer and lay audiences
- Impact or improved outcomes and/or quality
- Participation and contribution to CHA through active participation in CHA’s initiatives, and/or engagement that enables sharing of information and ideas across professional groups and member organisations.
The judging panel will include representatives from the diverse membership of CHA.
