KILMORE District Health’s annual Dr Sarwat Shenouda Midwife Award was awarded to associate nurse unit manager Lauren McMahon for her outstanding work as a midwife.
Awarded each year as part of the celebration for International Day of the Midwife, the award has become a tradition by which the midwives of Kilmore District Hospital, KDH, are honoured for their dedication and skill, as nominated by their peers.
After becoming a midwife nearly a decade ago, Ms McMahon said she knew exactly what she was supposed to be doing.
“The most magical feeling I’ll never forget is the first delivery that I was a part of,” she said.
“It’s such an honour to be part of such a special time in the new life that parents embark upon. I love the difference that every day brings.”
Ms McMahon was described by her colleagues as a significant leader in midwifery.
“In 2022, Lauren became a strong advocate and driver for change within the public health system,” one award submission said.
“Part of this change was the introduction of a trial at Kilmore District Health to offer maternal assisted caesarean – the process of a birthing mother lifting her baby from her own womb and onto her chest. The trial has been successful at KDH, met with positivity from both consumers and their partners, and the staffing team as a whole. It will now progress to an ongoing service option at KDH, a unique service that is limited within Victoria.”
Another submission detailed Ms McMahon’s high level of experience, contribution and professionalism in the maternity services space.
“Lauren often works over and above her rostered hours to support our women as well as supporting her colleagues,” the submission said.
Another colleague identified Ms McMahon’s ‘dedication to her patients to have the best outcome and best experience possible’ and willingness to ‘go above and beyond to ensure the unit is functioning well, while communicating at a high standard to all departments’.
Receiving the award had an extra personal touch for Ms McMahon.
“Dr Shenouda was a key educator in my initial years at Kilmore. I’m grateful for the time he spent educating me as a very new midwife,” she said.
“He was a great support to all the midwives. He remains a great loss to us and the community.”
The award honours Dr Shenouda, who was the cornerstone of KDH’s obstetric service for more than 20 years. He was highly regarded by peers and the community before his death in 2019.
