Albury Wodonga Health

25/03/2026

Register your interest to participate in the CARISTA Study ❗️❗️

We are inviting adults aged 18 to 70 who have hay fever, asthma, or both to contribute to research that aims to improve understanding and management of allergic and thunderstorm asthma. Your participation will help inform better prediction, detection, and community response.

This study is led by The University of Melbourne. Partners include the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Alfred Health, Austin Health, Monash Health, Eastern Health, Albury Wodonga Health, Northern Health, Western Health, Queensland University of Technology, and AirHealth.

The Albury Wodonga region experienced a thunderstorm asthma event on 6 November 2024, with more than 200 emergency presentations over two days. Your contribution can help strengthen preparedness for future seasons.

Register your interest today 👉 https://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/school-structure/medicine/research/carista-research-study?fbclid=IwY2xjawQwK01leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeHhiGfMpX0eNx8l8xk_N670vMwa_6s0F7-fx8OqXfg_PLj4_C4uFxN0awTmA_aem_R_mm8mlLI5KxeEi2VER_hg

25/03/2026

We are over the moon to hear baby Aiah has undergone a successful liver transplant at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne! 💜

Thank you for all that you do for our community Country Hope Albury 👏

After an extraordinary outpouring of support and generosity from the community, 15 month old Albury baby Aiah has undergone a successful liver transplant overnight at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

Her parents, have asked us to share the following statement:

"We are overwhelmed with gratitude as we share that Aiah’s journey has taken a truly miraculous turn. From the heartbreaking news she wasn’t fit to travel to India, to being placed on the Australian transplant waiting list on compassionate grounds, and now… she has received a new liver.

This moment is a testament to the power of faith, love and kindness. We are deeply grateful to the incredible individuals and organisations who stood beside us.

To Aiah’s anonymous liver donor, we are in awe of your selfless gift. Thank you for giving our baby girl the chance to grow, to play, to explore, and to live life to the fullest 💕

To our Aida Albury Wodonga, Downtown Pizzeria and Clique Albury family, especially Sarah, Matt and team, thank you for standing with us, for checking in, and for being our village.

To Country Hope Albury, Kristy and team, your kindness and swift support truly touched our hearts.

To our local media, including 7NEWS Border, The Border Mail, Radio 2AY and Riley-Rose, thank you for sharing Aiah’s story and helping it reach so many people.

To the dedicated team at Albury Wodonga Health, thank you for keeping Aiah stable while we waited. To the PATCH nurses, especially Nicole, thank you for the love and care you showed in our home.

To the incredible teams at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, we are so grateful for your expertise and compassion.

To the MAD Foundation, thank you for supporting Aiah with her specialised milk.

To our family, friends and prayer warriors, you never left us. Your love carried us through the hardest moments.

To the Albury Wodonga community, our beautiful border baby is thriving because of you.

To Dr Marcos and Dr Graham, thank you for your reassurance, your care, and for keeping us informed throughout this journey.

And to the people of Australia, your kindness knows no boundaries. It comes straight from the heart, and we will be forever grateful. You have given Aiah an incredible gift, and that is something we will never forget 💕

Aiah truly lives up to her name. Isogon means bravery, and she is a living testament to God’s love and promise."

~ Prime Isogon & Raquiza Baring

21/03/2026

Today we’re recognising World Down Syndrome Day - a global day of awareness to celebrate people with Down Syndrome and to keep building a community where everyone feels included, understood and supported.

This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, is a simple reminder: connection matters.

Most of us feel lonely at times. But for many people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, it can happen more often - like not having a group to belong to, or someone trusted to share what’s on their mind.

“Loneliness isn’t just about being alone - it’s about feeling left out or not listened to. When people feel included and seen, it changes everything,” says AWH Disability Health & Education Ambassador, Daniel Harrowell.

Loneliness can affect our mental health, physical health and overall wellbeing. What helps is real inclusion - genuine relationships, strong connections, and knowing you matter.

Want an easy way to show your support on 21 March?
Wear fun socks!

On 21 March, wear your boldest, brightest, most eye catching socks. It’s a simple way to start a conversation and show the Down syndrome community we’re listening.

If you’re visiting Albury Wodonga Health, you can learn more about disability support services on our website: https://bit.ly/4kHJ92y

20/03/2026

Today is World Oral Health Day! 🦷😁

Our team loved spending time with some of our smallest patients, helping them learn that a happy smile is a healthy smile.

Here are our top tips to keep your smile shining all year round:
🦷 Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes.
🦷 Keep up with regular dental check‑ups to catch issues early.
🦷 Enjoy well‑balanced meals and swap sugary drinks for water
🦷 Limit sugary snacks – frequent sugar throughout the day increases the risk of tooth decay.
🦷 Wear a mouthguard when playing sport to protect your smile.

20/03/2026

✨ What a night ✨

Last night, we held our night of nights, the 2026 Albury Wodonga Health Staff and Volunteer Excellence Awards!

It’s our big celebration of the people behind the care, recognising and honouring the exceptional contributions of dedicated individuals and teams at Albury Wodonga Health.

“You represent the very best of AWH, across clinical and non-clinical areas. You represent innovation and compassion, courage and collaboration, trust and high performance. And above all, you represent a health service that is evolving, improving, and moving forward together.” – Linda Hudec, AWH Acting CEO.

Congratulations to all our nominees, finalists and winners — and thank you to every staff member and volunteer who makes a difference across our health service, every day.

The evening wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors Maxxia, Squires Wines, the AWH Foundation, as well as the wonderful team at SS&A Club. Thank you!

See a complete list of winners and read our full wrap up 👉 https://bit.ly/40IMBRJ

19/03/2026

We’re investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Craigieburn and the surrounding suburbs. Six cases have been notified as of 18 March 2026. This investigation seeks to identify the source of the outbreak through testing local cooling towers and other potential sources.

The disease is spread by breathing in fine droplets of water that contain the bacteria. It is not spread from person to person or by drinking contaminated water.

Legionnaires’ disease can cause a chest infection with symptoms of fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches and pains.

People at increased risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease include those aged over 40 years, those who smoke, or have an underlying medical condition.

People who have been in Craigieburn or the surrounding suburbs of Mickleham, Greenvale and Roxburgh Park from late February and who develop flu-like illness should seek medical care.

For more information, visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4uwPLFP

19/03/2026

🏆 Spirit of Albury Wodonga Health Award

Winner: Tim Malone, Perioperative Services Manager 💙

This award celebrates the people who truly live and breathe AWH commitments — and Tim does exactly that.

Tim is a respected leader whose professionalism and strategic thinking strengthen theatre services and patient outcomes. Measured and trustworthy, he brings teams together through clear communication and constructive advocacy. His leadership builds confidence, fosters collaboration and reflects the Spirit of AWH.

Thank you for everything you bring to AWH, Tim, we're so proud to have you here as a part of the team.

19/03/2026

🏆 Rising Star Award

Winner: Claire MacKinlay 💫

Already making waves – and just getting started!

Since joining AWH in January 2025, Claire has made an outstanding impact, quickly establishing herself as a skilled, professional and collaborative leader in Risk, Audit and Compliance.

Respected for her kindness, transparency and “can‑do” approach, Claire’s work has a wide‑reaching impact across the organisation.

Thank you for everything you bring to AWH, Claire — and congratulations on this incredibly well‑deserved Rising Star Award win ⭐️

19/03/2026

🏆 Excellence in Person Centred Care

Winner: Danielle Hanlon, Paediatric Nurse 💟

This award recognises people who put patients, consumers and families at the centre of everything they do — and Danielle does that every day.

Danielle Hanlon is an exceptional paediatric nurse whose unwavering commitment to person-centred care transforms the experiences of children and families. Through personalised preparation strategies and creative care, she reduces trauma and anxiety for vulnerable patients. Her humility, innovation and quiet leadership sets a benchmark for paediatric care and strengthens the culture of the Children’s Ward.

Congratulations on this special recognition 💜

19/03/2026

🏆 Excellence in Teamwork Award

Winners: Kerferd ICA Upgrade Project Team and MAPS team 💞

Teamwork sits at the heart of great care — and these two teams exemplify collaboration at its best.

The Kerferd ICA Upgrade Team delivered a complex redevelopment enhancing safety and dignity within the unit. Despite funding and compliance challenges, clinicians, infrastructure teams and contractors worked collaboratively to achieve an outcome supporting recovery and privacy.

The Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS) team has reshaped maternity care through a midwifery-led continuity model. Since 2024, they have delivered personalised, evidence-based care across pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. Their collaborative approach has resulted in improved birth outcomes, earlier discharge and strong consumer feedback.

Both teams prove that when we work together, great things happen. Congratulations on an outstanding achievement 💜

19/03/2026

🏆 Volunteer of the Year Award

Winner: Carol Cassidy 💛

Our volunteers are an essential part of the AWH family — and Carol’s generosity, dedication and kindness make a profound difference.

Carol Cassidy has been a cornerstone of the Wodonga Op Shop team since 2014, contributing more than 2,000 volunteer hours. She leads the cut-rags initiative with care and precision, supporting vital fundraising for AWH.

Thank you for everything you do, and congratulations on this very well-deserved award 💜

**award was accepted by Op Shop Team Leader, Trena Hulm, on behalf of Carol**

19/03/2026

🏆 Excellence in Partnerships & Collaboration

Winners: Bone Week Multidisciplinary Team and Enhancing Stroke Care Collaborative 🙏

Great care doesn’t happen in isolation — and our winners are a shining example of collaboration done right.

The Bone Week multidisciplinary team has demonstrated exceptional collaboration in delivering an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program for joint replacement patients through exceptional multidisciplinary collaboration. Orthopaedics, anaesthetics, nursing, allied health and pharmacy coordinated streamlined care across 4.5 days for 17 patients, reducing length of stay. Their work has improved access for patients awaiting surgery and established a benchmark for collaborative, patient-focused surgical care at AWH.

The Enhancing Stroke Care Collaborative set a clear and ambitious goal: reduce AWH’s average Door-to-Needle time from 118 minutes to under 75 minutes to improve stroke recovery and long-term outcomes. Throughout 2025, the team worked closely with Emergency Department, Imaging and General Medicine clinicians to streamline processes and strengthen rapid response pathways. As a result, the median Door-to-Needle time improved to 83 minutes, with times as low as 62 minutes, representing significant progress in timely, life-saving treatment.
**award accepted by Executive Sponsor, Kim White due to the team being unavailable**

Huge congratulations on this well-earned recognition 👏