 | Author's Name: Hilary Thraves Date: Fri 30 May 2025 |
2025 Nurse of the Year
Karrinyup Rotary’s Nurse of the Year award for 2025 was presented at a celebratory dinner in May to honour outstanding nurses working at Osborne Park Hospital (OPH). This annual perpetual award was first presented in 1990 and recognises a nurse whose daily dedication and care epitomises the highest standard of quality and personal commitment. Nominations can be made by nurses, patients, doctors and hospital management staff.
OPH provides services over three main specialties - Aged Care & Rehabilitation (including for Younger Adults), Surgical Services and Women’s & Newborn Services. Each specialty has a dedicated Allied Health Team. The hospital employs over 596 staff, treating over 95,000 patients a year. It is part of the Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group within the North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS).
The focus for the awards changed this year, aligning with NMHS’s overall new Nursing Philosophy, Caring is our Business, and focusing on four pillars - People, Patients, Partnership and Profession. There were also some format changes with all of the finalists attending the presentation event and the winners being announced on the night. It was wonderful also to have executive representatives from the NMHS in attendance.
The three categories were:
- Excellence in Leadership - Finalists: Jenna Greer (winner), Lee Park, Julie Connolly, Paul Sampson
- Excellence in Professional Practice - Finalists: Tracey McCarley (winner), Eleni Nichas, Mary Cherian
- Excellence in Innovation - Finalists: Lee Park (winner), Helen Michel, Karen Howden
The winners of each category were chosen by panels from Osborne Park and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals and a representative from Karrinyup Rotary. The Nursing Executive team then determined the overall Osborne Park Hospital Nurse of the Year, Tracey McCarley.
Tracey is a mature-aged, newly qualified Enrolled Nurse. In summarising the attributes that distinguished her as the winner, the panel stated that her radiant personality clearly shone through her application and interview. It was evident to the panel that she embodies the essence of nursing, providing attention to small human interactions to enhance patient experiences significantly.
Tracey McCarley is certainly a deserving winner, especially considering that this is her second career, which commenced just 14 months ago.
Karrinyup Rotary’s Osborne Park Hospital Nurse of the Year award is displayed proudly on the wall at the hospital, highly regarded by the staff and promoted extensively by the hospital.
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Jenna, Tracey and Lee are seen at left with their trophies. At right we see Jo Reid, Acting Area Director of Nursing and Midwifery - NMHS, overall winner Tracey McCarley, Karrinyup Rotary President Phil Ledger, Vocational Service Director Kay Durrant and Jodi Graham, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group Executive Director.
Karrinyup Rotary members offer sincere congratulations to all nine finalists and, most especially, to the 2025 Osborne Park Hospital Nurse of the Year – Tracey McCarley.