Eleven University of Newcastle students are the latest recipients of scholarships and awards from the Crestani Foundation at the awards ceremony on November 8 at the Clinical School and Research Institute in Gosford.
Professor Kerry Inder, Acting Head of School and Dean of School of Nursing & Midwifery, UON, presented Breanna Robards with the Oncology Nursing Scholarship which “supports the next generation of skilled and compassionate oncology nurses”. Prof. Inder spoke of the challenges in nursing but also of the resilience of our nurses in times of crisis. She said, “Their contributions truly embody the spirit of healing and humanity.”
Allan Bryan San Martin, Amanda Murphy and Rachel Darby all received the Palliative Care Nursing Award. Dr Victoria Pitt explained the vital role of palliative care nurses in providing holistic support to people facing life limiting illness. She added that recipients of this award were selected for “academic excellence and dedication in advancing palliative care practice”.
Prof. Amanda Dawson, Clinical Dean of Central Clinical School, presented two upcoming medical graduates, Darcy McNaughton with the Community Scholarship in Cancer Care and Melissa Lee with the Pathway Scholarship in Cancer Care. Darcy McNaughton, radiation therapist, shared a story of a patient she had supported. She expressed her “deep desire to make a meaningful impact to improve outcomes” in the care of cancer patients. She also thanked Yvonne Crestani and her volunteers for making her opportunities possible.
Dr Eleonora Leopardi’s medical students, Imogen Morley, Kevin Zhang, Malissa Hodgson, Yi Carlin Chen and Zali Konijn received the Medical Inspire Award, an initiative which recognises high achievement in studies. Prof. Dawson described them as having excellent knowledge, lion’s courage, eye for fine details, hands for care and support for patients.
A discussion led by Dr Jude Weidenhofer, including Prof. Christopher Scarlett and PhD student, Cosmos Onyiba, conveyed insight into another facet of Crestani Foundation’s investment in the future of cancer care. The panel described their involvement in the research being conducted to find better therapeutic techniques and diagnostic practices to achieve “better outcomes for cancer patients”. They emphasised that the biggest challenge to their research is funding and that Crestani Foundation’s financial support plays a vital part in the sustainability of their work.
Yvonne Crestani acknowledged the vast array of knowledge and expertise present at the awards. She reminded the audience of the reason the foundation perseveres to raise funds and contribute to scholarships and research which are carried out by the experts in the room. Yvonne rounded off the evening by expressing her gratitude to her volunteers. Clive and Helen Brill were recognised for their multi-faceted work for the foundation. Glenys Jordan was recognised for her tireless efforts in a variety of functions.