Metro South Health has strengthened its commitment to developing future leaders, after successfully launching its First Nations Emerging Leaders Program.
The two-day face-to-face program was developed and delivered in partnership with The Centre for Leadership Excellence (CLE), in coordination with MSH Human Resources Organisational Development and the Metro South Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Directorate.
The program supports early career First Nations staff to grow and develop in their current positions and in preparation for future leadership roles, with the aim to achieve a balance between culture, community, and their role in the health service.
Principal Project Officer, Nurse Navigator, and proud Bundjalung woman Kay-cee Mikkelson says the program is designed to empower future First Nations leaders with the skills, insights, and confidence they need to thrive as they prepare for career progression opportunities.
"If we have more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in leadership, it can make our Hospital and Health Services [HHS's] feel like a safer space for identified staff and community members," she said.
With EOIs open to identified staff across Metro South, placements were quickly filled for the workshop, which was hosted at PA Hospital on 4 and 5 June.
"The course was offered to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at MSH," Kay-cee explained.
"It's not easy to step out of your comfort zone to try and be a better leader, so we're really proud of everyone who said yes and showed up."
Kay-cee says the success of the program is owed to the strength of the partnerships behind the scenes that made it possible.
"This project is centred on partnership. My role was to coordinate with the MSH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and partner with consumers to provide cultural anchors and panel members etc.
"We're grateful to Denise Hookey, Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Metro South Health. We are also thankful for Andrew Anderson and Viraj Dalal from the MSH HR Organisational Development team, who helped bring this program to fruition, alongside Elizabeth Long from CLE."
With the positive impact of the program being felt far and wide, Kay-cee and the team look forward to engaging more future leaders in the coming months and years.
"I would love to see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in senior roles. There are a lot of people making decisions about our ways without our voices. Having more voices at the top could help shift this and change workplace culture," she said.
"Representation is really important, and we can't improve our workforce if we're not at the table. I really hope to see more opportunities like this in future for our First Nations staff."