Support from our generous philanthropic partners has empowered a number of staff from the Women’s to pursue valuable professional development opportunities.
Staff scholarships were awarded at the annual scholarship program celebration at the Women’s in October. Over 90 donors, sponsors, staff and supporters attended the event. Supporters included families who have established funds in honour of loved ones, as well as companies such as Amber Australia, Cushman and Wakefield, and ISS Facility Services who have generously been sponsoring recipients for the last three years.
The Women’s Board Chair Shelly Park spoke at the event. She shared how wonderful it was to see the passion of staff and the power of professional development.
“Professional development in healthcare is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. It keeps our teams at the forefront of evidence-based practice, innovation and compassion.”
From the 31 scholarships awarded, individuals and groups of staff will take part in professional development opportunities including trauma-informed care, leadership, data analytics, simulation training, and more.
Ms Park said, “To our scholarship recipients — thank you for reminding us of what curiosity and dedication looks like. Together, you paint a picture of a workforce that is passion, committed, and courageous.”
Image (L-R): Dr Stephen Rodgers-Wilson, Jessica Westcott, Abortion and Contraception Service (ACS) Social Work Team Leader, Brittney Tebble, ACS Social Worker, Islah Alderson, ACS Social Worker, Chris Rodgers-Wilson
Di Palmer’s legacy lives on
Dr Di Palmer was a highly respected obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Women’s. She died in 2018 following an accident overseas.
This year, her husband, Dr Stephen Rodgers-Wilson, and son, Chris, created the Dr Di Palmer Staff Scholarship to honour her legacy. This scholarship highlights Dr Di’s enduring impact and ensures her values of care, leadership and excellence inspire future health professionals.
This year, the recipients of the Dr Di Palmer Staff Scholarship are the Abortion and Contraception Social Work team. They provide support and advocacy for pregnant individuals seeking abortions from 24 weeks and beyond.
Team Leader, Jessica Westcott, and her team will be completing a Trauma Sensitive Practice – Working with Complex Trauma workshop with Blue Knot Foundation, designed to deepen understanding of complex trauma and its impacts.
Several of Di’s close family, friends and former colleagues were able to join the scholarship celebration, including her husband, son and sister.
Congratulations to the 2025 staff scholarship recipients:
- The Women’s Development Scholarship, proudly supported by Amber Infrastructure, Cushman & Wakefield and ISS Facility Services: Alison Hamilton, Manager People and Culture Business Partnering, Anastasia Kirillova, Laboratory Manager – Public Fertility Service, Bronwen Mander, Quality and Safety Manager - Public Fertility Service, Cigdem Yilan, Counsellor, Lilach Yeshurun, Counsellor, Franki McMahon, Gandel Simulation Service Manager and Marie Jones, Women’s Health Clinics Coordinator.
- Data#3 Staff Scholarship: Amanda Cirillo, Internal Communications Manager, and Crystal Holmes-Taylor, Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Diane Foster Bursary: Johanna Schobben, Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Dr Di Palmer Staff Scholarship: Abortion and Contraception Social Work team
- Elite Print Solutions Staff Scholarship: Daljeet Kaur Walia, Data Manager and Kathryn Duckham, Administration Support Officer
- HardyGroup Staff Scholarship: Georgina Kilroy, Director Strategy, Planning and Performance, Jessie Zhou, Revenue Officer, and Kate Wilkinson, Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Johnstaff Aboriginal Scholarship: Tahlia Andrighetto, Graduate Nurse and Ruby Tribe, Badjurr Bulok Wilam Lead
- M & J Crutch Aboriginal Scholarship: Ella Meredith, Midwifery Student, Shae Paterson, Nurse NICU and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff from across the Women’s
- Nancye Cain Staff Scholarship: Caprice Brown, Clinical Midwife Educator, Sophie Lyon, Clinical Midwife Educator, Genevieve Cason, Clinical Midwife Educator and Lara Chapman, Clinical Support Midwife
- Nelson Alexander Foundation Staff Scholarship: Anna Lillas, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Infection Prevention and Control and Laura Fraser, Associate Unit Manager
- Oscar and Luca Neonatal Scholarship: Lal Pek Mawi Hlawn Bawi, Nurse, Dr Abbey Eeles, Occupational Therapist and Neonatal Services team
- Pat Baer Scholarship for Social Work: Social Work team
- The Women's Volunteer and Consumer Representative Scholarship: Rheann Kennedy
- Zouki Staff Scholarship: Chin-Mae Raymundo, Systems Consultant – People and Culture Business Partner team
In her closing remarks, Ms Park reflected on what the scholarships mean to the wider hospital community. “It’s clear that when we invest in our clinicians researchers, educators, and administrators, we invest directly in better outcomes for women, babies, and families,” she said.
Thank you to our program sponsors:
- Amber Australia
- Cushman & Wakefield
- ISS Facility Services
Thank you to our donors:
- The Baer family
- The Cain Family
- Data#3
- Elite Print Solutions
- The Foster family
- HardyGroup
- Johnstaff
- Margaret and John Crutch Bequest
- Nelson Alexander Foundation
- Oscar and Luca Fund and the Mihaly Family
- Steve Rodgers-Wilson and Christopher Rodgers-Wilson
- Zouki