Congratulations to all those recognised at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH)’s annual Staff Excellence Awards and Service Recognition events held this week.
The events celebrate the people who make the RCH such a special place to work, recognising outstanding contributions to patient care, research, innovation, leadership and the wider hospital community.
The annual awards acknowledge colleagues who go above and beyond in their roles, while celebrating the many ways our people contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Staff Excellence Award recipients
Congratulations to this year’s Staff Excellence Award recipients, whose achievements and contributions have made a meaningful difference across the RCH.
Chair’s Medal
Joshua Kausman – Paediatric Nephrologist, Nephrology
Joshua has been a paediatric Nephrologist at the RCH since 2008 and served as Director of Nephrology from 2018 to 2025, leading programs that have established the hospital as a national leader in paediatric kidney transplantation. Renowned for his clinical expertise, humility and mentorship, he has shaped both exceptional patient care and the collaborative culture that continues to strengthen the nephrology team.
Mary Patten Award
Simone Kiefel – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program
Simone has dedicated more than 20 years to caring for some of the RCH’s most vulnerable children and families, providing expert support across hospital, home and hospice settings. Renowned for her compassion, clinical expertise and ability to guide families and colleagues through challenging moments, she consistently leads with kindness.
Integrated Access Award
Michael Ridley – Business and Administration Manager, Urology and Gynaecology
Michael provides administrative leadership that supports the coordination of services, outreach clinics and patient care across metropolitan and regional settings. Known for his meticulous approach, commitment to follow-through and ability to navigate complex care pathways, he helps families access the right care close to home.
Bernadette O’Connor Award
Leah Rotin – Palliative Care Bereavement Coordinator, Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program
Leah is a highly respected social worker and leader in paediatric palliative care who has dedicated nearly 20 years to supporting children, families and colleagues at the RCH. Through her leadership of bereavement services, she has advanced palliative care practice locally and across Australia and New Zealand. Known for her compassion, generosity and unwavering commitment to others, Leah has made a lasting impact on families, colleagues and the broader healthcare community.
People Award
Sarah Connolly – Director, Allied Health
Sarah is an inclusive, values-driven leader who is widely respected for navigating complex matters with patience, integrity and a collaborative approach that consistently delivers positive outcomes. Through significant organisational change, Sarah has been a trusted role model whose calm, principled leadership has supported teams and inspired the development of those around her.
Dr William Snowball Award
Alexandra Wilke – Fellow, Urology
Alex is an exceptional paediatric surgery fellow whose clinical foresight, academic rigour and commitment to continuous improvement have made a remarkable impact since joining the RCH. Respected for her kindness, collaboration and dedication to teaching, Alex has strengthened patient care and team culture through her leadership and initiative.
Sustainable Healthcare Award
Alana Stewart – Pharmacist, Pharmacy
Alana is a passionate, visible leader in pharmaceutical sustainability, driving practical, evidence-based initiatives that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and enhance patient care across the RCH. Through her leadership of sustainability programs and willingness to challenge the status quo, including innovative medication stewardship and the development of a high-impact medicines stability database, she has strengthened the organisation’s commitment to environmentally responsible healthcare.
Quality, Innovation and Improvement Award
Laboratory Services Team
Laboratory Services is a high-performing team recognised for embedding quality improvement, innovation and evidence-based practice into every aspect of their work. This team has led two of Victoria’s most complex pathology transformation programs, helping establish a new state-wide pathology network and implement a precinct-wide Laboratory Information System while maintaining a relentless focus on patient safety.
Yvonne Wagner Award
Sharon Downie – Director, Medical Workforce Unit
Sharon Downie is an exceptional leader who has driven significant workforce, governance and operational improvements that have strengthened organisational capability and supported high-quality patient care across the RCH. Through her strategic leadership of major workforce initiatives, system improvements and change programs, she has delivered lasting organisational impact across the hospital and beyond.
Newcomer Impact Award (clinical)
Pari Kulkarni – Speech Pathologist Clinical Lead, Speech Pathology
Pari is an accomplished speech pathologist with more than 20 years of paediatric experience, and has rapidly advanced speech pathology services, workforce capability, and multidisciplinary collaboration at the RCH. Through leadership of innovative projects, including improvements to clinical data capture, neonatal feeding assessment, and cardiac and NICU care pathways, she has strengthened service quality and outcomes for children and families.
Newcomer Impact Award (non-clinical)
Lucy Bucci – Allied Health Workforce Development Lead, Allied Health
Lucy is an accomplished and emerging Allied Health leader who has made a significant impact at the RCH since joining in 2025, rapidly advancing workforce development initiatives and strengthening capability across the organisation. Through achievements including acting as Associate Director Allied Health, presenting to the RCH Board and securing funding for Aboriginal Allied Health Cadetships, Lucy has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to the future of the health workforce.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award
Rod Lawlor – Manager, Orthotics and Prosthetics
Rod is a dedicated leader and safety champion. As a manager and the Chair of the Allied Health Workplace Health & Safety Committee, Rod fosters a strong culture of safety, accountability and wellbeing across the RCH. Respected for his approachable nature and commitment to continuous improvement, Rod empowers teams to take ownership of safety and drives sustainable change that strengthens both workplace culture and patient care.
Celebrating service milestones
The RCH also recognised staff who have reached significant service milestones, celebrating colleagues who have dedicated 15 to 50 years to the hospital. These milestones reflect decades of knowledge, experience and commitment.
Congratulations to everyone recognised for their years of service.
Supporting the next generation through travelling scholarships
We also celebrated travelling scholarships, recognising staff supported to pursue professional development, expand their knowledge, and bring new ideas and expertise back to the RCH.
Thanks to generous funding from The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation and its donors, these opportunities help our people learn from colleagues and organisations beyond our hospital, strengthening our collective capability and innovation in paediatric healthcare.
- Adam Blake – Rosen Family Scholarship and Lily’s Gift and the Volunteers Nursing Scholarship
- Chloe Hanna – Uncle Bob’s Travelling Scholarship
- Felicity Coward – Jeff Crouch Memorial Scholarship
- Hani Gowai – Jeff Crouch Memorial & Uncle Bob’s Travelling Scholarship
- Nadia Coscini – Rosemary Derham Scholarship
- Annamika Aswani – RCH Paediatric Handbook and Jeff Crouch Memorial
- Laura Major – Jeannie H Poolman Scholarship
- Jenny O’Neill – Volunteers Nursing Scholarship
- Sharon Feldman – Jeff Crouch Memorial Scholarship
- Alyah Seif – Pied Piper’s Scholarship
Congratulations
Congratulations to all our award recipients, scholarship recipients and staff recognised for their years of service. We are proud to celebrate your achievements and the contribution you make to our hospital community.