Top Achievers recognised in Private Hospital Awards

SECTOR UPDATE - New Zealand Private Surgical Hospital Association 

Enhancing the hospital care of tamariki with autism, a significant decarbonisation investment, a transformational health & safety programme, and a lifetime of dedicated service.

These were some of the achievements recognised at a Gala Awards Dinner held at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland tonight, in conjunction with the annual New Zealand Private Surgical Hospital Association Conference.

NZPSHA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says the new Awards programme was introduced this year to celebrate outstanding achievements.

“Our sector is highly innovative and constantly striving to find ways to do things better and deliver great patient care. And we have some incredibly dedicated individuals working in our hospitals and clinics.

“The quality of entries was extremely high and in one category, our judges couldn’t separate the top two, so we have joint winners.”

The 2026 Award winners are:

Cubro Innovation Award
Boulcott Hospital  Hutt Valley   A centralised intelligence platform
Facing severe patient flow bottlenecks, outdated paper-based workflows, and siloed data systems, Boulcott Hospital identified a critical need to modernize its operations ahead of a major expansion. The hospital integrated its previously disconnected patient, staffing, and financial management systems into a single, centralized intelligence platform. The initiative used  innovative data entry and data storage techniques, improved and added staff rostering resources, and established precise KPIs around theatre utilization, patient flow, and workforce efficiency. This innovation has transformed how Boulcott Hospital operates, governs, and plans.

Capes Medical Sustainability Award
St George’s Hospital Christchurch     Replacing LPG-fired boilers
By displacing LPG-fired boilers with an electric steam boiler and two electric hot water boilers, St George’s Hospital has achieved independently verified emissions reductions of up to 905 tCO₂ annually while maintaining uninterrupted delivery of critical clinical services. The initiative combined technical innovation with practical implementation in a complex, live healthcare environment. It has delivered measurable economic benefit, with approximately $375,000 in annual energy savings, confirming the commercial viability of sustainability investment.

UniMed Employer of Choice Award  Joint winners
Mercy Hospital Dunedin         Leadership in Action
Mercy took a courageous approach to leadership development by using employee feedback to shape its leadership capability programme. Drawing on engagement data, employee feedback, organisational insights and leadership observations, a bespoke leadership programme was designed and delivered, focused on the leadership behaviours employees identified as most important, including approachability, communication and coaching. Rather than adopting an off the shelf solution, the programme was tailored to lived experiences of Mercy employees as well as the hospital’s unique culture, values and strategic priorities.

Southern Cross Healthcare     A transformed leadership and learning approach
Southern Cross Healthcare’s 10-year strategic plan acknowledges that exceptional patient outcomes require a strong, capable workforce. An opportunity was seen to strengthen leadership capability and create a more consistent, connected approach to learning and development across the network. The transformed leadership and learning approach has delivered: More capable and confident leaders, higher participation in learning and improved staff engagement. Most importantly, fostering a culture where people feel supported to learn and improve every day, strengthening the consistency and quality of care delivered.

Logiqc Safety Culture Award
Braemar Hospital Hamilton      Evidence-based leadership programme
Braemar designed and delivered a structured, evidence-based leadership programme grounded in both the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Root Cause Analyses and Actions (RCA²) methodology and the Health Quality & Safety Commission's Learning from Harm framework. This programme equipped leaders to shift the frame from finding fault, to learning and system thinking. This resulted in leaders who model psychologically safe culture, acting with compassion when reviewing adverse events. Braemar Hospital has made measurable, lasting change in how they learn from harm.

Complicity Patient Experience Award       
Grace Hospital Tauranga         Enhancing the care of Tamariki with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The project has directly improved the care of vulnerable tamariki with Takiwātanga (autism) and demonstrates a commitment to patient and whānau experience. Kāwanatanga – a Tamariki plan of care was co-designed directly with whānau. Tino rangatiratanga – forming relationships and working together with patients and whanau. Oritetanga - personalised contact ensuring understanding and equity of outcomes. And Wairuatanga –working together with whānau to form a plan of care specific to the needs of their tamariki and fully recognising the interconnectedness of Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Hardy Group Emerging Leader Award
Emma Ladley Forte Health Christchurch
Theatre Team Leader and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emma has more than six years' experience in the perioperative environment, specialising in orthopaedics. She has rapidly progressed into senior roles including team leader, theatre coordinator and clinical educator. Emma is known for her proactive engagement with her team, clear communication style, and commitment to continuous improvement—ensuring her team is well-informed, supported and equipped to deliver excellent patient care. With a Master's in Health Practice and experience as Chair of the Perioperative Nurses College of the NZNO, Emma represents an outstanding emerging leader with strong potential to influence the future of perioperative nursing.

Multigate NZ Healthcare Champion Award
Julie Hedley Southern Cross Healthcare
National Education Lead – Clinical Engagement at Southern Cross Healthcare, Julie makes a sustained and exceptional contribution to nursing, workforce development, and patient care across Aotearoa New Zealand. Over nearly two decades, she has led the national delivery of critical programmes including the Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP) and Nurse Entry to Practice Programme (NETP), strengthening clinical capability across an 18-hospital network. Her work supports thousands of nurses and sustains a national PDRP community of nearly 100 assessors, ensuring consistent, high-quality professional standards. She also oversees major investment in workforce development, enabling widespread access to tertiary education and professional growth. Julie's legacy is enduring and sector-wide.

Nib Lifetime Achievement Award
Nicky Van Praagh Anglesea Hospital Hamilton
A 40-year career defined by exceptional leadership, integrity, and lasting impact on healthcare delivery. As founding General Manager of Anglesea Hospital, Nicky led its transformation from a small day surgery unit into a highly respected private hospital, renowned for patient-centred care, clinical excellence, and a deeply supportive culture. She has combined strategic vision with humble, values-driven leadership. Beyond her organisation, Nicky has strengthened the wider health sector through mentorship, voluntary advisory support, and workforce development initiatives. Widely respected for her quiet capability and lack of ego, she creates environments where people feel valued and empowered to excel. Her legacy is reflected not only in organisational success, but in the trust, collaboration, and compassion she has inspired across the healthcare community.

All of the winners received a $1,000 cash prize to celebrate their achievements with their colleagues.

Source: New Zealand Private Surgical Hospital Association media release

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