OUR COMMUNITY DIFFERENCE

OUR COMMUNITY DIFFERENCE MAKER OF THE YEAR SUZANNE RICE A people-person through and through, Suzanne’s passion is to support her Clients to achieve their goals and celebrate these wins as if they are her own. Moving to Albany with her family in 2018, Suzanne has been our solo physiotherapist in the regional town and has worked hard to build the service across her five-year tenure. “We have had a lot of changes, we were in a little pocket studio office for a long time and with the opening of our new facility in 2022 it’s been all go,” Suzanne said. “The Clients are staying with us and finding improvements and living their best lives, which makes me think I am doing the right thing.” Suzanne sought out MSWA due to her interest in neurological physiotherapy, where each individual has their own unique complexity. “It’s like a puzzle, but it’s not one you are working on yourself,” she said. “It’s an interactive problem-solving challenge with the individual Client and then you get to celebrate their wins as well.” Working in the community for MSWA allows Suzanne to have a long journey with each Client, forging strong relationships unlike anything she had experienced previously. “When you see their smile and their confidence build up, you know you are doing a good job,” she said. “They come back and say, ‘I was able to wash the dishes standing up’ or ‘I managed those steps’ or ‘I managed to get down the beach to go for that swim’ – all those little wins are really rewarding.” “You are not only just a physio, you are their coach, their friend, their case manager – you have a whole heap of different hats on for them.” Suzanne strongly believes “information is power” and works to educate her Clients about their bodies to ensure positive outcomes. “Being able to teach people about their bodies so that they can make changes themselves, that is really powerful,” she said. “When they feel like they are losing function, to be able to change it around and see that they are actually gaining ability and they can manage it themselves and take control back, it’s a real privilege to be able to instil that.” “I care about making them feel good, helping them feel good and empowering themselves… it’s my passion.” On receiving the Difference Maker Award, Suzanne was touched to know Clients had made the effort to nominate her in the first place, let alone to have taken the title. “When I got the call telling me that I had won, it was a bit of a surprise,” she said. “It is always nice to have your efforts recognised and the reason I am here is for the Clients, so it was really surreal.” When asked what she would say to An excerpt of what our Clients had to say about Suzanne: the Clients who nominated her, her “Suzanne has never judged me when I give up on myself and she appreciation spilled over. gets me back to where I need to be with my exercise programs. She “They are all amazing – oh, I’m makes my life worth living again for which I am eternally grateful.” crying now,” she said. “I went to Suzanne for the first time two years ago. I was lost and confused… and I was scared. Suzanne helped me to make sense of “For them to have that level what my body was doing, she made me feel listened to and helped of trust in me and helping me to no longer be scared of the process.” them on their journey is a real “Suzanne is an incredibly dedicated, friendly and kind professional privilege and I thank them.” who truly helps and enriches the life of every Client she works with.” OUR PEER-NOMINATED WINNERS The Trailblazer Award A peer-nominated award for new team members who have shown leadership, initiative and huge potential, Leading with Purpose Award This award is for team members who live the MSWA ‘values and behaviours’ in everything they do. Change Maker Award This award is for team members who are a centre of influence within a team or MSWA facility. It is someone who goes above within their first 12 months. and beyond to ensure the people Finalists: we support are at the heart of Finalists: Vanishree Chetti, everything they do. Sophie Davies, Manager Clinical & Neurological Liaison Nurse Jamie Puls, COVID-19 Response Coordinator Award recipient: Tracey Hockey, Receptionist (Wilson) Residential Services Sophie Brandsma + Laura Radicevic, Senior Marketing Officers – Lotteries Award recipient: Georgina Hett, Senior Speech Pathologist Finalists: Carol Chong, Manager Allied Health Services Luke Everett, Accredited Exercise Physiologist Award recipient: Elizabeth Stewart, Member and Client Services Regional Manager 12 13