Excellence in University Engagement and Sustainability

Winner - Staff Team

Rural Team

  • Jane Thompson, Rural Program Co-ordinator, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Dr Jannine Bailey, Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Bronwyn Bauer, Student Coordinator, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Karen Beattie, Associate Lecturer in Clinical Skills Education, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Krista Cockrell, Casual Academic, School of Science and Health
  • Jill Driscoll, Rural Finance and Operations Coordinator, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Tegan Dutton, Research Officer Rural and Indigenous Health, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Jo Halloran, Administrative Assistant, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Herman Hofman, Rural AV and IT Support Officer, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Libby Kelly, Education Support, School of Medicine, Lismore Rural Clinical School
  • Ian Kennedy, Indigenous Placement Support Officer, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Professor Tim McCrossin, Clinical Dean, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Dr Sandra Mendel, Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Kristie Payne, Research Officer Rural, School of Medicine
  • Buck Reed, Associate Lecturer, School of Science and Health
  • Nathan Rollinson, Rural Schools Community Engagement Officer, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Dr Amy Scott, Clinical Sub Dean, School of Medicine, Lismore Rural Clinical School
  • Dr Robyn Vines, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Professor Ross Wilson, Director, Rural Health, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School
  • Dr Kam Wong, GP – Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Bathurst Rural Clinical School

The School of Medicine’s Rural Team has led dedicated interprofessional academic and professional staff who work across the University’s rural footprint. The team share a passion for making a difference to the rural regions of the state who face the challenges of rurality and distance on a daily basis. They have succeeded in creating a visible profile for Western in these rural regions where Western has not previously had a footprint. Through their tireless efforts to engage and immerse in the community they have raised the profile of Western as an institution that shares their rural values and ideals.

Winner - Student Team

Blab Coats

  • Hamid Sediqi, Student, Doctor of Philosophy, School of Science and Health
  • Marina Khan, Student, Doctor of Philosophy, Institute for Culture and Society
  • Drew Martin, Student, Doctor of Philosophy, Institute for Culture and Society
  • Alexander Wray, Student, Doctor of Philosophy, School of Science and Health
  • Yinghua Yu, Student, Doctor of Philosophy, Institute for Culture and Society

The significant and dedicated contributions of Michael Horgan, former Western Sydney University student are acknowledged.

Blab Coats is a student-led podcast with the goal of presenting Western Sydney research on topical issues to local and international audiences. Blab Coats have released over 64 podcast episodes, actively run a website and several social media pages, have produced countless videos promoting University interests and events and regularly present at University functions. The hard work of the Blab Coats team has fostered community engagement with Western research culture, university life and the student experience. Blab Coats provides a highly-visible platform for Western Sydney researchers to gain exposure to local and international communities.

Winner - Student Individual

Prakash Poudel, Student, Doctor of Philosophy, School of Nursing and Midwifery

As a PhD scholar, Prakash carried out exemplary research works and facilitated improving oral care practices in diabetes care. People with diabetes have higher risks of oral health complications. While Prakash’s research found that diabetes care providers rarely provide information and attention to their oral health due to several barriers, he initiated and led a multidisciplinary group forging partnership across the state with researchers, clinicians,
stakeholders and consumers to address the barriers and led the development of an innovative and evidence based Diabetes and Oral Health Care  model. This included a patient education brochure for free distribution state-wide and a risk assessment tool that can facilitate clinicians to identify patients at risk of poor oral health.

Highly Commended - Staff Team

WSU Branded Hijab initiative, School of Nursing and Midwifery

  • Dr Rakime Elmir, Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • Sue Willis, Director of Academic Program – Clinical, School of Nursing and Midwifery

Nominated - Team

Annual Giving Team, Office of Advancement

  • Ray Villarica, Annual Giving Manager, Office of Advancement
  • Jeremiah Lloyd, Annual Giving Coordinator, Office of Advancement