Over summer, bushfires ravaged Australia, burning through more than 10 million hectares of land, claiming too many lives and destroying thousands of homes. In the face of this disaster, nurses and midwives went above and beyond to ensure the health of their local communities (read more about the bushfires in The Lamp).
For this Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we’re honouring 12 outstanding nurses and midwives who exemplify the values we embody in our professions. February’s nurse of the month, as nominated by George, pays tribute to the incredible resilience of a nurse who prioritised supporting her colleagues and community, while facing extraordinary personal adversity:
The person I wish to nominate is my colleague, Susan Flynn.
Susan is a Registered Nurse who works in the OTP Clinics at the Blue Mountains and Lithgow Hospitals.
Susan’s husband suddenly died at home in late November from a heart condition diagnosed only two months earlier. Three weeks after her husband’s death, Susan’s home was completely destroyed in the Blue Mountains bushfires while she was on duty at Lithgow Hospital. Despite all of this, Susan chose to turn up for her rostered shift on Christmas Day because both Lithgow and Blue Mountains Hospitals were in crisis with the bushfires.
Do you know an exceptional nurse or midwife like Susan? Make sure you nominate them today.
If you have been affected by the recent bushfires, Australian Unions have set up a Bushfire Relief Fund. To apply for assistance, visit their website.