Saturday, 5 May is recognised as International Midwives Day, with International Nurses Day following a week later on Saturday, 12 May – a time of recognition and celebration for two professions that have an instrumental impact on many lives.
Northern Health midwife Kiri Platek found herself at the centre of celebrations this year as it was announced she was the recipient of Johnson & Johnson’s Midwife of the Year for Victoria.
A midwife with Northern Health for the past four years, Kiri has dedicated herself to providing outstanding health care to our women, their babies and families. Kiri was nominated for the award by a family of a newborn that she helped care for during its most vulnerable hours in the Northern Hospital Epping’s Neonatal Unit.
Maternity services are a big part of Northern Health, with 3,759 babies born at the Epping hospital in the 2017 calendar year. Kiri was one of a number of Northern Health midwives nominated for the award by the community, an illustration of the regard our maternity team is held in by the community that they so passionately serve.
Having one of our staff recognised with an award is a big victory for all of us, as so many dedicated and deserving midwives were nominated; after a process of deduction undertaken by the judging panel, Kiri stood out above the rest.
Kacey Meddings of Johnson & Johnson Pacific said: “We believe there is a job to be done in helping to recognise and celebrate midwives for everything they do – from being the voice of experience to a first-time mum, to offering calm reassurance in a time of stress. We are proud to celebrate the important work that midwives do through the annual Midwife of the Year Awards, and congratulate Kiri Platek and all of the winners.”
Midwives play an important part in the journey in becoming new parents. The word midwife means “with women” and this is what our midwives do. They work with the women and their families as partners during this journey of their pregnancy, birth and after the baby is born.
Kiri is a shining example of midwifery at Northern Health, she has many qualities which so important to being a midwife and families she cares for. She makes sure that the women and their families feel that they are a priority, going above and beyond expectations in providing care which tailored to each women’s individual needs.
A big thank you and happy International Midwives and Nurses Day to all nurses and midwives of Northern Health and across the globe.
