Royal North Shore Hospital

NAIDOC Week is just around the corner (July 5-12), and this year’s theme is 50 Years of Deadly.

The week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the history, Culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

There are a number of exciting events planned for the week across NSLHD including:

- Monday 6th July, at NSECC Macquarie Hospital | 11.30am-1.30pm | Smoking ceremony, opening of Past & Present Stairway, MDHA staff award

- Tuesday 7th July at RNS Hospital, Kolling Forecourt | 11am-1pm | NSLHD Staff Award Presentation, Guest Speaker - Actor Luke Carroll, Smoking Ceremony and Cultural Dancers

- Tuesday 7th July at Mona Vale Hospital | 11am-12.30pm | Cultural art workshop - Aboriginal Art on Canvas

- Wednesday 8th July at Mona Vale Hospital Yarning Circle | 11am | Smoking Ceremony

- Thursday 9th July at Hornsby Hospital Yarning Circle | 11am-1pm | Smoking Ceremony and Dance Performance

- Wednesday 8th July at Ryde Hospital Yearning Circle | 1-2pm | NAIDOC celebration

- Thursday 9th July, PARVAN Service | 12.30pm | Yarning and Weaving Circle

More details will be released in the lead up to the week.

We encourage you to come along to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

To learn more about NAIDOC Week, visit www.NAIDOC.org.au. For event details, contact: [email protected]

✨TOMORROW'S MEDICINE TODAY: BREAKING ADDICTION BARRIERS ✨

In the latest episode of Tomorrow's Medicine Today, Clinical Associate Professor Mark Montebello joins James Elliott and Matthew Doane to explore why addiction is often misunderstood, the barriers preventing people from accessing treatment, and how earlier intervention can change lives.

Drawing on his experience as Clinical Lead of Drug and Alcohol Services at NSLHD, Associate Professor Montebello shares insights from the frontline of addiction medicine and discusses how we can close the gap between evidence and practice to improve patient outcomes.

Listen now on the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4uFOs6o or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4aAEN9Y

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now! Read all about:

• The winners of the Quality and Improvement Awards
• The Matildas visit RNSH
• NSLHD staff in the Kings Birthday Honours List
• SDPR is coming to NSLHD
• NSLHD renews partnership with Australian Defence Force

And so much MORE!

Click the link here to view:

NSLHD News - 19 June 2026 NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD Main story Short blurb 2026 quality and improvement awards Pages 4 and 5 Read more on Page x A beacon of kin

🌈 PRIDE MONTH: LGBTIQ+ CONSUMER EXPERIENCE SURVEY 🌈

This Pride Month, Northern Sydney Local Health District is inviting LGBTIQ+ community members and families to share their experiences of care across our health services.

As part of the implementation of the NSW Health LGBTIQ+ Strategy, we are working to strengthen inclusive, respectful and equitable healthcare for everyone. Your feedback will help guide education and quality improvement initiatives across our services.

If you are a person who is le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, or identify within the LGBTIQ+ community, or a family member or carer of someone who is LGBTIQ+ accessing healthcare, we encourage you to take part.

Your insights will help us better understand where improvements can be made to ensure services are safe, welcoming and responsive.

👉 Take the survey here: https://rnsapmredcap.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/redcap/surveys/?s=FLRRKKHJKCTLXYME&accessed=2

We are also excited to be attending the North Sydney Council Pride Picnic on Sunday 14 June. Come along and say hello — we would love to see you there.

A day full of smiles, care and something truly special!

The CommBank Matildas, alongside the incredible Clown Doctors Australia, brought pure joy to Royal North Shore Hospital - spending a beautiful afternoon with our patients, families and staff across Neonatal ICU and Paediatric wards, made possible with the support of CommBank.

With arms full of gifts and hearts full of kindness, CommBank Matildas stars Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac and Wini Heatley took the time to connect, laugh and brighten every room they entered.

But the greatest gift of all was their time.

You could feel the difference instantly - the smiles, the lifted spirits, the sense of hope. For our children and their families, moments like these mean more than words can say, and their impact on healing is truly immeasurable.

Go Tillies! ⚽

RNSH clinicians recognised in King’s Birthday Honours 🎖🎖

When Margaret Schnitzler started her medical career 40 years ago, she couldn’t have imagined she would go on to be considered by others as a trailblazer and receive the accolades she has.

Holding the title of being the first female colorectal surgeon in Australia, Margaret can now add Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) after receiving the prestigious appointment in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Margaret is one of four clinicians from Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) to be acknowledged for their services to fields of medicine and research.

When Margaret became a surgical trainee in 1987, she was only the second general surgery registrar Royal North Shore Hospital.

She went on to become the first female general surgeon appointed to the staff in Northern Sydney Local Health District.

Other clinicians to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia were:

Dr Luke Coyle, a haematologist at the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, RNSH.

Dr Ross Macpherson, for his service to medicine as an anaesthetist.

Professor Suran Fernando for his service to immunology.
Suran is the inaugural head of the clinical immunology and allergy department at RNSH since 2012. He has had more than 140 peer reviewed journal articles published or his research and sits on many expert panels and advisory boards for immunology sharing his expertise.

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now! Read all about:

• NSLHD staff shine at the Innovation Pitch Program
• Winners of the NSLHD district Nursing and Midwifery Awards
• Staff have a yarn
• AYAH residency works unveiled in St Leonards exhibition

Click the link here to view:

NSLHD News - 05 June 2026 News NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD NSLhd staff shine in innovation pitch program PAGe 3 nslhd staff have a yarn Page 5 nslhd nursing and

TOMORROW'S MEDICINE TODAY!

In an NSLHD and TMT first, the latest episode of Tomorrow's Medicine Today features two guests. Professor Brian Burns and Dr Geoff Healy join James Elliott to discuss life beyond survival and the journey of recovery after major trauma.

A major injury can change a life in seconds. Dr Healy and Professor Burns explore how trauma care is evolving beyond survival, with a focus on recovery, rehabilitation and long-term patient outcomes.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4vhh3zu
🌐 Or via the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4x2Qtfc

Hand hygiene remains one of the most powerful and simple defences against the spread of disease, particularly during winter when respiratory infections are circulating more widely.

Northern Sydney Local Health District has been recognised nationally for its leadership in this space, recently launching an award-winning awareness campaign which included a district-wide hand hygiene roadshow featuring learning sessions, games and practical education designed to strengthen everyday hand hygiene practice in clinical settings.

Hands can carry millions of organisms every day, making proper hygiene a critical step in breaking chains of infection and protecting our patients, staff and community across our health services.

Across Northern Sydney Local Health District, teams are stepping up with education, hands-on learning and practical tips to make good hand hygiene second nature in clinical care. 🫧