Joanne “Joe” Tesiram, the recipient of the 2023 Int'l Nurses Day Magnet Champion of the Year Award for Nursing Excellence shares her remarkable 39-year journey in nursing and her tireless commitment to health equity, chronic disease management, and mentorship.
Joe’s nursing odyssey began as part of the last NSW hospital-trained intake at Prince Alfred Hospital, a journey that she admits was initially daunting. Over the years, she has navigated a diverse career, including roles in orthopedic theaters, cardio-thoracic operating theaters, and groundbreaking genetics research at the Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository in Oklahoma City.
In 2014, Joe found her way to the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), establishing herself in rheumatology. She played a crucial role in establishing a Rheumatology Outreach Clinic at the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Care and initiated tele-rheumatology services.
Joe emphasized that the Magnet recognition focuses on evidence-based, person-centered care and continuous improvement. The 2023 award, she expressed, humbled her and highlighted the importance of recognising nurses' innovative efforts.
"Magnet is about bringing together our multi-disciplinary teams in partnership with our patients and communities to deliver evidence-based, person-centered care. It's about not being satisfied with 'Good' but being curious, innovative, and dedicated to making it better for all."
"I feel very humbled and proud to be the recipient of this award. It is nice to have your work recognized."
Looking forward, Joe aims to champion healthcare equity, increase First Nations representation in nursing, and address racism within healthcare. She lives by the principles of Yindyamarra, to do slowly, to respect or to honour and encourages the next generation to explore diverse nursing career pathways.
"My joy comes from the support we offer our community on their chronic condition journey. It is so rewarding to assist with reducing our patients' pain. Increasingly, I also enjoy meeting with our young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Nurses to encourage them and create pathways for their careers."
"My goals are to continue communicating about the importance of equity to produce equality. My hope is to see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples becoming nurses and midwives, in a health system that respectfully acknowledges them."
In expressing her gratitude, Joe acknowledges her grandmother, “Gillie”, Aunty Mona Menzies, line manager Heidi Secher-Jorgensen, and her healthcare colleagues. Joe’s journey embodies resilience, continuous learning, and a commitment to improving healthcare, making her a well-deserving recipient of the Magnet Champion of the Year Award.
With such an extensive list of achievements we cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store for you Joe.