Today The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital was delighted to host its 2026 Length of Service and Excellence Awards!
The event was full of nostalgia, emotion and pride as staff accepted their certificates for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service.
Our Excellence Award winners were recognised for their contribution to the hospital, often going that extra mile to improve our hospital to the benefit of our patients and their colleagues.
We congratulate all of the nominees and are proud to announce this year’s winners of the 2026 Excellence Awards:
Board Chair’s Medal – Dr Elsie Chan
Dr Elsie Chan is Director of Ophthalmology and Head of the Corneal Clinic. Her roles encompass clinical and operational oversight, strategic planning, staff engagement, research, training and education, and overseeing the operational aspects of the Cornea unit.
Dr Chan is universally respected across the hospital and exemplifies every quality this medal is meant to honour. She has been instrumental in establishing protocols and systems that have improved how our hospital runs. Her efforts have strengthened our workplace culture while elevating the quality of teaching.
She is a skilled clinician, leader and mentor of fellows here and around the world, many of whom continue to seek her guidance.
She helps make our hospital not only a place of excellence, but a place where people feel they belong and can become their best selves.
Dr Chan also received recognition for over 15 years of service to the Eye and Ear during the event. Congratulations Dr Chan!
CEO Team’s Award – Sterile Processing Services
The work of our Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is done quietly, but its impact is felt in almost every part of patient care. This team reprocesses the surgical instruments, sets and scopes that support Theatre, Emergency, Ward, Specialist Clinics and more. Their work helps make our services safe and timely.
In a busy, often pressured environment, they work to the highest standards and support one another.
Their recent external audit results say a great deal about their shared commitment. Achieving a compliance score of 98.4 per cent is outstanding.
The nominations spoke about the spirit within the department: people who are hardworking, proactive, good-humoured and proud of the service they provide.
J Aubrey Bowen Medal – Dr Elizabeth Rose
This award is named after Dr J Aubrey Bowen a pioneering ophthalmic surgeon, one of the founding fathers of ophthalmology in Victoria and one of the co-founders of our hospital.
Like J Aubrey Bowen, Dr Elizabeth Rose has played a pioneering role in our ear, nose and throat (ENT) community. As a Consultant Otolaryngologist and later Head of Paediatric ENT, she has dedicated her career to supporting children with complex ear, nose, and throat conditions.
Dr Rose’s impact reaches far beyond the operating theatre. She has strengthened paediatric ENT as a specialty, mentored future ENT surgeons, and contributed to research and improved approaches to children’s hearing and airway health.
As leader of our paediatric unit, Dr Rose has championed quality, access, and efficiency. Her leadership, warmth and innovation make her a role model.
Dr Rose also celebrated 30 years at the Eye and Ear today, an amazing contribution!
Nursing Excellence Award – James Del Rosario
James is no stranger to recognition for the outstanding work he does every day, as colleagues often nominate him for our Values Awards and patients for our Patient Experience Awards.
James is always ready to help and puts patients first, managing complex cases with skill and compassion.
He is a role model and mentor—building others’ confidence and lifting morale.
What sets James apart is his empathy and respect. He makes patients, families and colleagues feel heard and valued, and his positive impact is felt throughout the team.
Allied Health Excellence – Ivy Tan
Ivy is Deputy Director of Pharmacy and is known for her dedication, leadership and team spirit
Ivy has been instrumental in leading a major project initiative that brought together various people across multiple clinic areas, which is no mean feat. She managed the entire project from start to finish, excelling in reporting, communicating clearly, and proactively upskilling herself to enhance data analysis for impactful reporting.
The success of this project has had a resounding impact and marks significant progress towards improved environmental sustainability.
Administrative Excellence – Joachim Dierckins
Across a diverse and complex financial portfolio, Joachim consistently provides timely and insightful advice and supports managers and the wider team with exceptional responsiveness and expertise.
He’s played a pivotal role in developing accurate budgets and strengthening financial capability, fostering greater accountability and informed decision-making.
He’s renowned for his willingness to tackle challenges, explain complex financial concepts simply, and support his colleagues with kindness, humour, and respect.
His collaborative spirit has helped drive continuous improvement. He exemplifies our organisational values, and we’re grateful for his ongoing teamwork and leadership.
Volunteering Excellence – Thi Thang Le (Ha)
Ha is one of our dedicated volunteers who generously spends her time assisting our Patient Services and Access Unit.
Week after week, Ha works with incredible speed and accuracy to fold and prepare letters to patients. These letters provide vital patient information, and Ha works efficiently and with great attention to detail to ensure every letter is sent with care.
The pride she shows in her work and the enthusiasm she shows uplifts those around her through her positive attitude.
Noel and Imelda Foster Award – Dr Sandra Banderas Garcia
The Noel and Imelda Foster Award was generously established through a bequest and recognises a junior doctor demonstrating exceptional leadership and contribution.
This year, Dr Sandra Banderas Garcia is the recipient, having received nominations from every operational area for her outstanding impact.
Dr Banderas Garcia strong work ethic and professionalism are praised for being hardworking, diligent, and willing. She is a genuine team player, working collaboratively across our Emergency Department, Theatre and Clinics.
Her passion for patient care, positivity and integrity make her a valued member of the Ophthalmology team. Sandra’s leadership by example has a significant impact on hospital culture.
Congratulations to all!
