Well deserved … Western Health Divisional Director of Surgical Services Claire Culley was named a finalist
By Charlene Gatt
WESTERN Health Surgical Director Claire Culley is famous among patients for her attention to detail and her drive to continually improve patient services.
Her hard work was rewarded last week when she was named a finalist for the Leadership in the State Government Sector award.
The award recognises outstanding leadership initiatives that make a positive contribution to an organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness while enhancing the workplace environment for all employees.
Ms Culley was nominated for her part in developing Breast West, a Western Health initiative set up in 2006 to raise money to improve patient care for breast cancer sufferers.
“I am thrilled and humbled to have firstly been nominated and then to have received the award amongst a group of truly inspirational leaders,” she said.
Ms Culley started off her career as a surgical and Stomal Therapy nurse and moved on to become the education officer at Albury Base Hospital, the staff development officer at Geelong Hospital, the assistant director of nursing (perioperative service) and director of Nursing at Canberra Hospital.
She started at Western Health as the Divisional Director for Surgical Services in May 2004.
She is also part of the Royal College of Nurses and the Victorian Health Service Management Innovation Council.
“Claire manages the Western Heath surgical division without ever losing sight of the patient’s needs,” Western Health CEO Kathryn Cook said.
“She does this while building respectful, effective relationships with her staff.”
