The Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, a partnership between the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) and the University of South Australia, was crowned the nation’s ‘Outstanding Organisation’ at last night’s 2025 HESTA Nursing & Midwifery Awards in Melbourne.
Established in 2017, the multidisciplinary research centre aims to empower nurses and midwives to improve care, utilising a unique nursing and midwifery-led approach.
Now recognised as a leader in the field both in Australia and internationally, the research centre was honoured for its work educating nurses in rural and regional Australia to perform skin checks. This involved the team screening over 500 people in rural areas at the country’s first free nurse-led skin cancer screening pop-up clinics, using cutting-edge AI technology and providing training for rural nurses.
Inaugural Director Professor Marion Eckert described taking out the award as an incredible achievement.
“The award highlights the impact the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre is having when it comes to the importance of nurse-led innovation in improving healthcare access,” Professor Eckert said.
“We’re motivated to continue developing sustainable solutions that improve patient outcomes and workforce efficiency, ensuring every Australian – regardless of location – has access to quality care that can save lives.”
The team plans to use the prizemoney to purchase dermatoscopes to help expand the centre’s nurse-led skin cancer detection program in rural and remote Australia. They will also train more nurses in advanced skin assessment and AI-assisted education, increasing early detection and intervention for Australians in underserved areas.
Other major winners at last night’s awards, now in their 19th year, included a nurse from Victoria and a midwife from the Victoria-NSW border.
Ty Simpson from Melbourne’s Alfred Health, took out ‘Nurse of the Year’ for his significant contributions to nursing education and patient care in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, benefiting patients and the nursing profession.
“This award is a testament to the dedication and compassion of the amazing nursing team I have worked alongside, who provide exceptional care to patients receiving novel therapies, including CA-T Cell therapy,” Ty said.
‘Midwife of the Year’ Vanessa Page was recognised for leading the Endorsed Midwife Care Program at Gateway Health, which provides bulk-billed continuity of care to pregnant people with complex needs, helping around 240 clients in the Albury and Wodonga areas since the program’s inception in 2021.
“I am passionate about my work in women’s and maternal health, particularly the care I provide to vulnerable people in my community,” Vanessa said.
“I couldn’t have achieved the Endorsed Midwife Care Program without the support of the organisation, managers and colleagues, and most importantly the clients who have entrusted their pregnancy journey with the program.”
