This National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Buderim Private Hospital is thrilled to announce the inaugural recipients of the Ngaire Roberts Breast Care Nurse Bursary; Amy Nielsen and Karen Perren.
This bursary will provide specialised training and full fee support for Amy and Karen to complete a postgraduate certificate in Breast Care Nursing through the Australian College of Nursing.
In the future, Amy and Karen will provide Buderim Private Hospital breast cancer patients and Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program clients and their families with psychosocial and specialised supportive care as they navigate their way through the challenges of their diagnosis and treatment.
General Manager, Shane Mitchell, said the introduction of the bursaries will be a major step forward for local patients struggling with a breast cancer diagnosis.
“The value of having your questions answered, expert advice given, and important education provided from a compassionate and trusted professional cannot be underestimated,” Shane said.
“Buderim Private Hospital is extremely proud we will be able to make a meaningful difference to the lives of breast cancer patients and the dedicated professionals who care for them,” he said.
The two bursaries are supported by the Buderim Private Hospital Auxiliary and the Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program. Ngaire Roberts was one of the founding members of Buderim Private Hospital and was actively involved in the hospital community for 43 years and gave generously of her time, mind, heart and spirit.
“With the help of the Buderim Private Hospital Auxiliary and the Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program, we are extremely proud we will be able to provide compassionate care to the sick and vulnerable in loving memory of Ngaire,” Shane said.
Amy Nielsen said: "I'm excited for new challenges and new adventures and being able to apply new skills to help our patients. It's also very special to be able to study alongside Karen and carry on Ngaire's legacy."
Karen Perren said: "I'm excited for the challenge of studying again, the opportunity to provide specialist care to our patients, and the chance to pass on the knowledge and skills we learn to the whole team."
As part of UnitingCare, the Buderim Private Hospital is owned by the Uniting Church and is the only not-for-profit provider of private hospital services on the Sunshine Coast.