It is with great sadness that PA Hospital acknowledges the Sorry Business of the passing of Aunty Glenda Brooks who was beloved by many.
Aunty Glenda Brooks was a valued member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison team (HLO) at PAH and found unintended fame as a marketing champion for COVID-Vaccination across Queensland.
Over her five-year career at PAH, Aunty Glenda became one of the most recognisable faces in the building thanks to her involvement in several key campaigns that resulted in her image taking pride of place in the elevators and other high traffic clinical areas.
She delighted in her role as the HLO position at PAH, building respect from nursing staff, operational staff, and the executive team.
“It is nice when people inside the hospital recognise me from my interactions out in the community,” she said when she accepted her lifetime membership of ATSICHS in 2023.
“Sharing what we do for our people and working right across the hospital with patients and all professions is immensely satisfying for me. I’m all about sharing the workload and caring for our people.”
Aunty Glenda started with ATSICHS in the mid 90's as the diabetes health worker at Hubert St Woolloongabba. From there, she was one of the first Aboriginal women to do the diabetes educator course at the Wesley Hospital. Following a secondment at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Aunty Glenda began at PAH in 2019.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthcare Worker in Kidney Services, Brett Mooney worked with Glenda throughout her employment at PAH and said she made coming to work a joy.
“The first thing that comes to mind knowing that Glenda was at PA and part of our team was Safety – for the patients as well as our team,” he said.
“Her lived experience and the way she could tell that someone was living with trauma showed her deep empathy and understanding which made us all feel safe.”
Brett said her commitment to her community was a key reason why she came to work every day and she could not have said it better herself.
“I do my work because I love supporting our peoples throughout their journey. Just a simple thank you from my patients is enough for me,” Aunty said.
Aunty Glenda provided her express wishes that current materials displaying her photograph should continue to welcome members of the community to the hospital. We hope that her instructions will prevent any distress for members of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
It is our hope – and the hope of Aunty’s family – that all staff, patients and visitors will feel welcome and celebrate the impact Aunty Glenda Brooks had on so many of our lives.
