Gold Coast Health is recognised for quality patient care, nursing and midwifery excellence and innovations in professional nursing and midwifery practice under the Magnet® Recognition Program.
"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
Gold Coast University Hospital’s (GCUH) very own Dr Rahul Joshi has been awarded the Global Impact Award from Operation Smile Australia for his contribution to transforming the lives of children with complex craniofacial conditions across Asia.
The award acknowledges years of volunteer work supporting Operation Smile's international surgical and education programs, helping to deliver specialised care in countries where access to complex craniofacial surgery can be limited.
Dr Joshi, who has been involved with Operation Smile Australia for the past four years alongside his role as a Children’s Critical Care staff specialist at GCUH, said the recognition came as a surprise.
"I wasn't expecting it at all," he said.
"I see it as recognition of the work that I’ve been doing, and it motivates me to do more.”
Operation Smile Australia supports two main types of humanitarian missions: cleft lip and palate surgery programs, and more complex craniofacial surgery missions.
Several Gold Coast Health staff have played an important role in Operation Smile's work, with clinicians and nurses contributing their expertise to international missions and training programs.
Dr Joshi works as part of multidisciplinary teams in countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and India. He serves on the charity’s Medical Advisory Committee which determines how the process works.
“The organisation's model is usually based on a five-year plan. In the first year, we go in and do most of the work ourselves,” Dr Joshi said.
“During the second and third years, we focus on teaching and training local teams. By the fifth year, the goal is for them to be able to perform the procedures independently and continue the work themselves.”
These surgeries can take up to six hours and involve a large multidisciplinary team encompassing plastic surgeons, craniofacial and maxillofacial specialists, neurosurgeons, anaesthetists, paediatric intensivists, PICU staff, anaesthetic technicians, recovery staff and surgical nurses.
"We may only perform two or three surgeries a day, but they are truly life-changing for the children and their families," Dr Joshi said.
“What really motivates us is seeing the difference these surgeries make to children and their families. The appreciation we receive is amazing.
“It also reminds us how fortunate we are in Australia. We have access to so many healthcare resources, whereas in many low- and middle-income countries things can be very challenging. We're very lucky to be here.”
Congratulations on this incredible achievement, Dr Joshi.
For those interested in supporting Operation Smile, visit their website.
