On Friday 8 March 2019, Mercy Health celebrated International Women’s Day. Mercy Health joins many others around the world who use this day as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.
The theme for 2019 was Balance for Better. Gender balance benefits everyone and is not simply a women’s issue. Together we can accelerate change.
As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, Mercy Health Chair Ms Virginia Bourke prepared a short video message. Virginia is Mercy Health’s first female Chair. A significant achievement given that across Australian organisations just 13.7% of Board Chairs are female. Mercy Health is built on a foundation of determined and empowering women and we are proud to have Virginia in such a pivotal role.
This year, we again called for nominations for our International Women’s Day Awards. We asked our people to nominate women that they believe are living the Mercy Health values, are advancing and recognising women, and are making a positive contribution to gender balance at work or in their community. Congratulations to the following overall recipients and nominated staff, patients and residents who have been added to the Mercy Health Honour Roll of Women:
Sharon Olivier, Executive Officer (overall recipient—MHW)
Melissa Hinson, Patient Access & Workforce Coordinator (overall recipient—WMH)
Constance Banks, Lactation Consultant
Ingrid Ridler, Nurse Unit Manager
Emma Wellington, Patient
Christine Bennett, After Hours Coordinator
Elyse Harley, Nurse Unit Manager