General News
9 March, 2022
Fourth TDHS ICARE Awards held
TIMBOON and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) held its fourth Heart of TDHS ICARE Awards last week to celebrate major achievements by staff and volunteers.
TIMBOON and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) held its fourth Heart of TDHS ICARE Awards last week to celebrate major achievements by staffand volunteers.
Graduate registered nurse Sandith Kep received the ICARE Dr Peter Fox Staff award during the Zoom award ceremony.
The award is named after Dr Peter Fox, who served the community for over 50 years and whose work defines the history of TDHS.
It acknowledges the outstanding contributions made by staff members who demonstrate the healthcare service’s ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence) to an exceptionally high level.
Mr Kep was surprised to receive the highly coveted award.
“I started to get a bit of a feeling when the screen showed Corry (last year’s winner) and John (son of the late Dr Peter Fox) walking in our street, but I guess I didn’t want to believe it until I heard the knock on the door,” he said.
“I am grateful for working at TDHS. Nursing gives me the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life and to care for people when they are most vulnerable.
Mr Kep thanked the TDHS team for welcoming him and supporting him in his graduation year.
Peers who nominated him described him as “Sandith is a gentleman of complete integrity. He shows compassion through kind words and actions and his very gentle approach.”
Community transport and social support group volunteer Linda Pender recognised with the 2022 Volunteer Award.
She was nominated by her peers, because of her positive, bright, and cheerful attitude showing how much she enjoys helping others.
Ms Pender said volunteering was something she loved doing.
“I like helping others and love listening to the clients’ stories as I drive them to their appointments or help them out at Social Support Group,” she said.
“We share jokes and a laugh and so we brighten each other’s day, and you know they really appreciate what you’re doing for them.
“I’m very surprised and honoured to receive this Award and would like to thank the people who voted for me, and I also want to thank TDHS for giving me this volunteer opportunity.
“I hope one day someone will do the same thing for me when I need it.”
The healthcare service also honoured the following staff with long service awards:
Stephen Hanel – 10 years;
Simon Henriksen – 10 years;
Vera Convey – 15 years;
Mary Duynhoven – 20 years; and
Lorraine Wilson – 30 years.
TDHS chief executive officer Rebecca Van Wollingen said the awards night was a “wonderful way to take the time out of busy day-to-day schedules to formally acknowledge and celebrate the great work TDHS staff and volunteers do”.
“We congratulate our award recipients and recognise the hard work, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm, but above all resilience of all our staff and volunteers that make up TDHS,” she said.
