Multiple healthcare professionals from the Limestone Coast region were recognised in the SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.
Three nurses from the Limestone Coast region were announced as finalists, and one Limestone Coast Local Health Network nurse was noted as a successful Premier’s Scholarship recipient.
Barbara (Barbie) Sawyer was presented with the Excellence in Practice – Nurse Practitioner award, for her dedication to improving access to care as an experienced Nurse Practitioner – Diabetes.
Ms Sawyer has worked within the Limestone Coast regions for 11 years and oversees more than 1000 patients.
Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service Director of Nursing and Midwifery and executive officer Sally Neumann was awarded one of the Premier’s Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships.
Ms Neumann said she plans to use her scholarship to explore leading best practice international models of care by visiting and engaging with agencies in New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Other finalists from the Limestone Coast region were Associate Nurse Unit Manager for Charla Lodge at the Bordertown Memorial Hospital Nicole Glynn for Excellence in Aged Care, and Reanna Jovner who works as an Enrolled Nurse at the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service Medical Ward for Excellence in Practice – Enrolled Nurse.
Limestone Coast Local Health Network chief executive Emma Poland was delighted with the success.
“I’d like to congratulate all the winners and finalists from the South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards for 2025, with special mention to Barbara (Barbie) Sawyer and Sally Neumann who were presented with awards on the night,” she said.
“We are incredibly proud of all our dedicated, caring nurses and midwives across the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, who consistently provide high-quality care to our consumers.”
The SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards were held at the Adelaide Convention Centre earlier this month.
At this year’s Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, 40 finalists were nominated across 13 categories, representing nurses and midwives from public, private, aged care, education, community, academic and non-government sectors.
The 2026 Premier’s Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships were awarded to five nurses and midwives who will undertake observational international study tours to investigate best practice and translate key learnings into sustainable outcomes within South Australia.
