Compassionate Karen has more to give

There was hardly a dry eye in the room after Registered Nurse and After Hours Coordinator Karen Hinch finished her acceptance speech.

Already a Grampians Health Life Governor, Karen had just been awarded for 45 years of service from Chief Operating Officer Ben Kelly. Accepting her award, Karen articulated her obvious passion for caring for people and ensured she still had more to give.

Karen’s career started in 1981 when she started her nursing training at Wimmera Base Hospital. She graduated in 1985 and two years later became one of the first Ballarat University Clinical Nurse Educators.

Over the years Karen has gained extensive experience in acute, medical and surgical nursing and developed a strong interest in palliative care. She served as an associate charge nurse for 39 years across WBH’s Ward 3, Oxley, Wyuna and in later years, Yandilla.

Throughout her career Karen has contributed to numerous working groups and quality improvement initiatives, including the development of staff orientation resources, clinical pathways and patient care models.

She is passionate about supporting her colleagues to deliver safe, patient centred, evidence-based care. Karen is also known for her exceptional cooking skills and often surprises her colleagues with homemade treats for her ward teams.

In the past decade Karen has transitioned to such important roles as After Hours Coordinator and Bed Manager. She continues to work with the same dedication and compassion and has no plans to slow down. She is already looking forward to collecting her 50-years certificate and badge.

In her acceptance speech Karen talked of the deepest moments in her career, holding the hand of someone who is scared and being there when there are no words left to say.

Congratulations Karen on your incredible career and long may it continue.