Brookes Academy – The power of philanthropy helping nurses and midwives to grow

Photo: Epworth Freemasons midwife, Jasmin, who received a scholarship to complete post graduate studies in midwifery.

Epworth nurses and midwives are frequently said to be the best by both patients and doctors alike. They provide exceptional care to patients across our theatres and wards and possess outstanding technical nursing skills.

Epworth believes that to provide the best care, we must have the very best nurses.

It is why we’re committed to the development of our wonderful nurses and midwives, through valuable learning opportunities offered by the Brookes Academy.

These development pathways – spanning clinical, leadership, education and research – are significantly funded by Epworth Medical Foundation donors. This means that, for many nurses and midwives, further study is made easier as financial barriers are removed with this generous support. Ultimately, this allows nurses and midwives to gain the skills needed to provide the best patient care, sooner.

“The Brookes Academy is a fantastic initiative. It's a great chance for us to give back to our staff and be at the forefront of clinical expertise and actually bring that right back to our patients,” said Ashley Wheeler, Executive Director of Epworth Eastern.

Celebration and recognition

Recently, Epworth had the privilege of awarding 57 nurses and midwives with scholarships valued at approximately $800,000 at the Brookes Academy Scholarship Ceremony and Matron Marjorie Holding Society Dinner.

The evening was a wonderful event to recognise nurses and midwives who are undergoing post graduate studies in specialties including cardiac nursing, emergency care, intensive care, perioperative care and midwifery. It was also a lovely opportunity for some recipients to meet the generous donors who funded their scholarships in person.

Epworth Freemasons midwife Jasmin was one of the recipients. She is currently completing a post-graduate midwifery program with the support of a Brookes Academy scholarship. Whilst Jasmin has been a nurse at Epworth for a number of years, it was always her goal to become a midwife.

“Without this scholarship, I would have had to push my midwifery studies back quite a few years,” Jasmin said. “Knowing that I am supported and my studies are funded helps me be the best that I can be and deliver the best care to mums and bubs.”

ICU Richmond nurse Bianca Chambers, a scholarship recipient who is studying to be a critical care nurse, is equally grateful for the fully-funded education provided to nurses and midwives at Epworth. She believes the Brookes Academy has given her opportunities she once would have thought were impossible.

“Epworth has an incredibly supportive education team. I think it may be my forever home,” she said.

A new place to call home

Whilst the Brookes Academy is already providing hundreds of nurses and midwives with learning opportunities each year, soon it will have a physical home – a brand new, dedicated building next to Epworth Richmond.

“Two existing buildings will be transformed into a six-story state of the art, learning and education hub so that our nurses and midwives have the very best facilities for them to develop, learn, and grow,” said Scott Bulger, Epworth Medical Foundation Executive Director.

“It's incredible that we are going to build the next part of this great history here on Bridge Rd, right next to where Epworth originally opened its doors on the 27th of February, 1920,” he said.

Construction on the building is due to begin later this year.