Outstanding NT supervisors celebrated

The Flinders NT Supervisor Recognition awards were announced at an event on 11 December 2019, recognising staff who go above and beyond their usual duties to supervise students undertaking clinical placements in their chosen career.

The awards ceremony was streamed via video link, connecting locations in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Nhulunbuy with the occasion well attended at all sites.

More than 120 nominations were received this year, representing the amazing depth of experience, passion and commitment to preparing our future allied health, nursing and medical workforce.

The event was a terrific acknowledgement of clinical supervisors and their role in shaping the future workforce through outstanding support, mentorship and education of students.

Five different categories were awarded for outstanding student supervision, with NT Minister of Health the Hon Natasha Fyles presenting the award for Innovative Supervisor.

Supervisors were recognised from nursing, allied health and medicine.

“The learning opportunities available in the Northern Territory are really unique and we are grateful for our nurses, allied health professionals and doctors who provide invaluable learning opportunities for students,” said Professor Jonathan Craig, Vice President of Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health.

“Recognising their contribution to educating our future workforce is really important.”

Research has shown that students who experience a successful student placement are more likely to return to that place for employment once they complete their studies.

Flinders NT supports students across the Northern Territory including Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Darwin regions. In 2019 there were more than 500 students across all disciplines of allied health, nursing and medicine who completed their placements in the NT.

Feedback received from placement students this year included: “My supervisor opened my eyes to beautiful places and people and fostered a deep connection with me. I fell in love with the Northern Territory, and I believe that my supervisor really fostered and created this love through all her recommendations and the experiences she promoted.

“I had never been to the Northern Territory before my placement and whilst I was excited to come and have my time in the Territory I never considered relocating once I had finished my studies. My placement was genuinely the most amazing experience I have had to date. Now I can’t wait to return”.

From left: Florence Goland, Nicole Norman, The Honourable Natasha Fyles Minister for Health, Kiara Spadavecchia, Dr Jim Burrow, David Lindsay and Vice President Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health Professor Jonathan Craig, at the Darwin event

2019 Winners

Innovative Supervisor
Allied Health: Florence Goland
Nursing: Ann Sanotti
Medicine: Dr Graham Williams

Interprofessional Collaborator
Allied Health: Kiara Spadavecchia
Nursing: Melissa Allan

Commitment to Clinical Teaching
Allied Health: Alvin Achal
Nursing: Junitta Richards
Medicine: Dr Jacob Jacob

Territory Ambassador
Allied Health: Karen Nicolayson
Nursing: Tim Stewart

Outstanding Regional Supervisor
Top End
Allied Health: David Lindsay
Medicine: Jim Burrow
Nursing: Nicole Norman

Katherine Region
Medicine: Dr Tarun Patel

Central Australia
Allied Health: Andrew Jolly
Nursing: Ann Sanotti
Medicine: Dr Graham Williams

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Centre for Remote Health (CRH) Events Flinders NT Student Placement Supervision