The work of University of Canberra graduate Barbara Harvie recognised

Katheryn Favero

23 July 2008: Barbara Harvie has been awarded the honour of Nurse of the Year at the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Awards and was also named as an Operation Angel during Kidney Health Week 2008.

For twenty years Ms Harvie has been dedicated to, and actively involved in all areas of kidney health. Her achievement included establishing a CNC – Renal Outreach within Greater Southern Area Health Service and was the lead clinician for establishing haemodialysis in Goulburn and Moruya.

She was awarded the title of ACT Nurse of the Year 2008 in recognition of her diligent work consisting of significant assistance and support for chronic kidney disease and transplant patients as well as to indigenous health issues. The theme of the award this year was “Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Primary Health Care”.

Ms Harvie was named an Operation Angel to acknowledge her work at Canberra Hospital as well as her dedication to indigenous health.  The Operation Angel award was presented at Parliament House by the Federal Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, during Kidney Health Week 2008. This title was an acknowledgement of Barbara’s work devoting much of her personal time to this worthwhile pursuit.

Barbara Harvie with ACT Health Chief Excecutive, Mark Cormack

Barbara Harvie obtained her Bachelor of Applied Science in Nursing Science in 1988 at the Canberra College of Advanced Education – now University of Canberra and after obtaining her Masters in Nursing (Advanced Practice) undertook formal Nephrology studies prior to further study to achieve Nurse Practitioner status. She is also a member of the Kidney Check Assessment Taskforce which creates nursing education programs and resources which aim to raise the awareness and management of chronic kidney disease.

Ms Harvey has presented at both state and national conferences and is a member of the peer review panel for the Renal Society of Australasia journal. She has co-authored booklets for renal nurses and indigenous health workers and has also presented and co-facilitated advanced renal nurse assessment days, pre-dialysis and vascular access seminars and practice nurse workshops.