Summary
Principal Project Manager of the PA Hospital Expansion Project, Carla is responsible for detailed planning with all stakeholders in the large-scale infrastructure project.
The expansion will deliver 249 new beds, including 30 Intensive Care Unit/High Dependency Unit beds, expanded pharmacy, medical imaging and kitchen facilities.
When Carla first walked through the doors of the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in 2009, it was as an assistant in nursing. Today, she's back, helping deliver one of the hospital's biggest expansions yet.
As principal project manager, Carla has been involved in every stage of the PAH expansion since May 2023, working alongside hospital staff, architects, engineers and contractors to help create spaces that will support patients and staff for decades to come.
“I've been involved in every phase since the Stage 1 tender was awarded. My role title is principal project manager, but in reality, I get to be the interface between the operational stakeholders and the project team,” she said.
“I work with everyone to ensure the end result is the best that can be delivered for the project, our staff and our patients.”
The expansion will deliver 249 new beds, including 30 Intensive Care Unit/High Dependency Unit beds, as well as expanded pharmacy, medical imaging and kitchen facilities to support the growing needs of the community.
For Carla, every decision, big or small, plays a part in creating a better experience for patients, families and staff.
“I genuinely find everything exciting about being involved in this project. From something as small and detailed as where each security camera will go so we have the safest environments, to decisions as large as making sure essential scope items are included,” she said.
“This expansion will provide a modern, safer, functional environment for our staff, and the new wards are so beautiful and more patient focused so I hope that our patients and their families will feel safe, comfortable and cared for.”
She's especially looking forward to seeing the momentous first patients for each of the areas.
“I can’t wait to see the first ward go live; it’s going to be amazing to look at the hospital and know that I got to play a small part in delivering such a significant and important piece of infrastructure for our community.
“I am most proud of how this project has involved so many key people from across the PAH to help inform the functional requirements and the final design.”
The project has also shown Carla the power of collaboration, with teams from across the hospital and beyond working towards one shared goal.
“The relationships across all the different teams have been so amazing. Everyone listens to what the staff and patients need and want to deliver a great hospital. I haven’t seen anything like it before.”
For Carla, returning to the PAH has made the experience even more meaningful.
“You never know where your career will take you. I began my career in health at the PAH in 2009 as an assistant in nursing, later becoming a registered nurse. Coming back to the PAH nine years later to help deliver this project feels like I get to give back to the place that gave so much to me,” she said.