Midwife Jessie Twivey helps bring new life into the world every day.
Her career may be focused on newborns and supporting parents through the life-changing process of childbirth, but she has waited a long time to experience it personally.
The Mackay HHS midwife educator is due to have her first child in August.
"It has been seven years for us to be able to meet this little miracle, so we are feeling overjoyed and very grateful,” Jessie said.
Jessie works in the Women’s Health Unit at Mackay Base Hospital and was presented with the Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award at International Day of the Midwife celebrations recently.
Her nomination by a colleague described her as an “excellent educator with energy, fresh ideas and perspective that is inspiring”.
Jessie said she was thrilled to win the award after only being with the Mackay HHS 18 months after working at Townsville Hospital and studying at James Cook University.
“I was not expecting it at all, it is still a big shock,” Jessie said.
“As I am still very early in my career and so fresh into this job, I feel like it is an incredible honour to receive this award. I hope I can do it justice.”
Jessie's journey into healthcare was driven by a deep sense of purpose. Her passion for helping people reach their full potential aligns perfectly with her role as a midwife educator.
The variety of tasks she handles and the opportunity to work across different hospital environments provide her with a dynamic and fulfilling career.
“I just love the Women’s Health Unit; I love being able to assist staff with education opportunities and to help ensure we are maintaining the highest standard of care for our mums and bubs,” she said.
“I really enjoy that our unit works together collaboratively to ensure our patients receive an incredible level of care.”
With maternity leave now looming, Jessie aims to continue to develop her skills as a registered midwife in various clinical settings and plans to one day further her career in a leadership role.
For now she is enjoying being on the receiving end of prenatal care provided by Midwifery Group Practice midwife at the Mackay Base Hospital. It has been her colleagues who have supported her through her pregnancy and eventually, through labour, birth and the post-natal period.
“I am extremely excited and cannot wait to experience all the highs and lows of labour and childbirth,” she said.
“Right now I’m looking forward to having a beautiful time on maternity leave, soaking up all the memories with my own little one," she said.
