A 212th birthday for Australia's oldest hospital
Foundation Day has become a tradition at our District’s oldest hospital, a chance to celebrate its deep history and recognise its contribution to healthcare in Australia.
This October, Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital (SSEH) recognised 212 years of care on Macquarie Street, with a BBQ, gelato stall and massage station for staff.
The theme was Celebrating Health for the Community, an acknowledgement of more than two centuries of patient care.
The courtyard celebrations were followed by a formal ceremony. This included a keynote address by Skye Parsons, SESLHD Director of Aboriginal Health, who announced the establishment of the Gadigal Eye Clinic which will focus on eye health for our First Nations peoples, and a guest appearance by Better Homes and
Gardens presenter and former patient, Peter Colquhoun.
Staff and volunteers were recognised for their continuous years of service to the hospital, with a special mention to Dr Frank Martin who celebrates his 50th year at SSEH!
It wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without cake. The day was topped off with the cutting of a cake in the historic hospital’s iconic courtyard.
“Foundation Day is a fantastic way to recognise our history and celebrate our achievements. The naming of the Gadigal Eye Clinic reflects our commitment to bridging the gap in eye health for our First Nations people,” said Dr Pauline Rumma, SSEH Director of Clinical Services.
Congratulations to the 2023 Staff Award winners:
- Kay Maddison for the Consumer Nominated Staff Star Award
- Dr Helen Zhang for the Mentoring Award
- Future Ready Emergency Department (FRED) and Emergency Department Staff for the Innovative Quality and Improvement Project Award
- Joanna McCulloch for the Staff Achievement Award
- Dr Vannessa Leung for JMO of the Year
- Ryan Allfrey and Bianca Strong for the Anita Cobby Memorial Nursing Grant
A special thank you to the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, Friends of Sydney Hospital, The Anita Cobby family, SmartSalary and Lindt, for sponsoring the event.
