Ms Gow, who led the"Releasing Time to Care'' programme designed to streamline basic processes and increase the amount of time for nurses to tend to patients, was honoured for work which improved the hospital at an organisational or system-wide level.
"We are thrilled to recognise the significant contribution our nurses make to improve the health and wellbeing of our community,'' Southern District Health Board chief nursing and midwifery officer Jane Wilson said.
"We know there's incredible commitment to improve and advance nursing practice,'' she said.
The celebration was a chance to ``properly'' recognise nurses' contributions.
Other winners. -
Innovative practice: Jodie Healey, informatics team leader, IT systems.
Contribution to the community: Justine Dahlenburg, crisis nurse and duty authorised officer, south community health mental health team.
Clinical excellence in nursing care: Trudy Galer, nurse colposcopist, women's health.
Child and maternal care: Julie Coverson, registered nurse, consultant liaison psychiatry services.
Rising star: Georgia-Rae Flack, registered nurse, neonatal intensive care.
Research: Maria Baby, clinical nurse specialist, intellectual disability service.
Education: Joanne Robertson-Smith, floor 7 nurse educator.
Leadership: Linda Grady, clinical nurse specialist, intensive care unit.
Presbyterian Support Otago: Madeleine Esdaile, clinical co-ordinator, Aspiring Care Centre, Wanaka.
Otago Polytechnic preceptorship: James Mather, registered nurse, Otago regional forensic community mental health service.
