Decades of care recognised

West Gippsland Healthcare Group recently recognised its long serving staff and the lasting difference they have made to generations of local patients and families.

The Employee Service Recognition Awards celebrated employees reaching milestones from 15 through to 40 years of service - a remarkable reflection of the experience, loyalty and passion within the organisation.

Board chair Adjunct Associate Professor Felix Pintado and chief executive officer Shannon Wight joined staff, their families and friends for the celebration, personally recognising recipients and thanking them for the commitment, care and contribution they have made to West Gippsland Healthcare Group (WGHG) and the wider community.

Their presence helped reinforce the importance of celebrating the people behind the health service whose knowledge, experience and dedication helped shape WGHG over many years and supported generations of patients, families and colleagues.

A particularly special moment was the recognition of four employees celebrating an extraordinary 40 years of service: Lynne Bowman, Catriona "Cat" Duncanson, Beverley Hogan and Jennifer Winterton.

Cat Duncanson began her career with WGHG in 1986 and has worked across a range of areas including pharmacy, radiology, admissions, medical records, emergency, payroll, executive administration and finance. Over the years she has become a trusted source of knowledge and support for colleagues across the organisation.

Lynne Bowman began her nursing career on the medical ward in 1987 before going on to spend much of her career in outpatients and the consulting suites. Her compassion, clinical expertise, humour and genuine care for others have left a lasting impression on patients and colleagues alike.
For Bev Hogan, what began as a temporary four-week administration role became an incredible 40-year career. A familiar and much-loved face in allied health, Bev has welcomed and supported generations of local families, colleagues and clinicians throughout her time at WGHG.
Jennifer Winterton's nursing career was defined by compassion, professionalism and a deep commitment to caring for others. Her passion for palliative care, along with her contribution to mentoring and supporting future generations of nurses, has had a lasting impact across the health service and the wider community.
The event also celebrated employees reaching 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service, highlighting the extraordinary depth of experience across WGHG.
While healthcare has changed enormously over the years, the event was a reminder that the heart of a health service had always been its people.
The knowledge, kindness, dedication and commitment shown by this year's recipients have helped shape WGHG and made a meaningful difference to thousands of patients, families and colleagues.