Shelly Park was named the 2011 Telstra Victorian Business Woman of the Year at an awards ceremony earlier this week, amongst a finalist pool of enviably talented women.
A former nurse, Park progressed into senior management and is now the Chief Executive of Southern Health in 2006.
Widely noted for her reputation for delivering strong-performing health services, Park also won the White Pages Community and Government Award at the 17th Telstra Business Women’s Awards in Melbourne.
“Health workers enter a very privileged place in peoples’ lives and have the absolute responsibility to deliver high quality care, often during times of adversity,” she said.
Care funding for Southern Health as risen 44 percent under the guidance of Park, allowing it to offer treatment to a third more patients and the average hospital stay for patients declining by 14 percent.
Telstra Group Managing Director for Innovation and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador Kate McKenzie said judges were motivated by Park’s charisma and experience as a leader responsible for a large and complex multi-site health network.
“She has focused on cultural change and linking business performance and outcomes with the health needs of the community.”
Other winners of the 2011 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards were:
Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award
Kylie El-Sheikh of Tristar Medical Group, Mildura
Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award
Margie Hepner of Stanhope Healthcare Services, Ashburton
White Pages Community & Government Award
Shelly Park of Southern Health, Clayton
Nokia Business Innovation Award
Jane Hunt of Fitted for Work, Melbourne
Marie Claire Young Business Women’s Award
Marnie Tewksbury of CareChoice, Clayton
Congratulations ladies!