UnitingCare Health hospitals will recognise the diverse achievements and contribution of women to society, particularly in the field of nursing and medicine, as part of International Women's Day on March 8.
This year's IWD theme is 'Gender Parity', and the UnitingCare Health group of four hospitals is proud to be one of the largest employers of women in Queensland.
Acting Executive Director Terence Seymour said: “International Women's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of women as part of UnitingCare Health's 4100-strong workforce at
The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital and St Stephen's Hospital in Hervey Bay, and in the broader community.”
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital at Buderim has a workforce comprised of over 80 per cent females, including many in both clinical and non-clinical leadership roles. Seventy-five per cent of the hospital’s executive leadership team are also female, including Dr Monica Trujillo (Director of Medical Services), Rae Priaulx (Director of Nursing), and Adriana Leonardi (Director of Support Services).
Dr Trujillo, speaking at a special International Women's Day breakfast at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital on Friday, said women had contributed to significant advances in medicine and healthcare over the past decade with regards to gender equality.
"I am proud to be among a group of dedicated and educated women who are committed to bettering the health of patients in the communities where we live and work,” Dr Trujillo said.
“Here at the hospital, 28 per cent of our doctors are female which is amazing given the national average is around 13 per cent,” she said.
In addition to her role as Director of Medical Services, Dr Trujillo is also UnitingCare Health’s Chief Medical Information Officer. Dr Trujillo was also recently appointed to the Governing Council for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) - Asia Pacific, which is a global voice, advisor and thought leader of health transformation through health IT.
Mr Seymour said UnitingCare Health is proud of the contribution of all staff, both women and men, involved in providing the highest standard of clinical and non-clinical care of its patients.