It was a great honour to host the Epworth Medical Foundation Scholarship Awards last week—an event filled with pride, gratitude, and hope for the future of healthcare.
This year, 57 scholarships were awarded to nurses across Epworth, thanks to the generosity of our donor community. These scholarships reflect our shared belief in the importance of nurturing the next generation of nurses and midwives, an investment not only in individuals, but in the future care of every patient who walks through Epworth’s doors.
At the heart of this effort is the Brookes Academy, Nursing and Midwifery at Epworth, one of the most ambitious projects in the organisation’s 105-year history. The Academy is dedicated to advancing nursing and midwifery by strengthening the extraordinary talent we already have, while also creating clear education pathways for those to come. It’s about providing our nurses with the tools, knowledge and confidence to lead with both skill and compassion.
My wife Jaqui Maree and I were privileged to award two scholarships funded through the Stamas Family Scholarships I had the pleasure of presenting these to two outstanding nurses from Epworth Eastern, Bianca Chambers and Renee Chrysicos.
Bianca will use her scholarship to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing, equipping her with advanced skills to care for critically ill patients in ICU and high dependency units. Renee will complete a Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing, strengthening her already exceptional ability to care for patients before, during, and after surgery.
Both Bianca and Renee exemplify what makes Epworth’s nursing community so special: dedication, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Supporting them is not just a privilege, but a responsibility we proudly embrace.
L-R: George Stamas, AM; Bianca Chambers; Jaqui Maree Stamas; Professor Andrew Stripp (Epworth HealthCare CEO)
L-R: George Stamas, AM; ReneeChrysicos; Jaqui Maree Stamas; Professor Andrew Stripp (Epworth HealthCare CEO)