San honours 'visionary leaders'

Sydney Adventist Hospital has celebrated its 120th year with a special presentation at its annual San Homecoming service.

Nursing graduates from the years 1943, 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2013 were honoured, while two citations for longstanding and exceptional service were awarded to Maurie Ibbott and Diana Martin.

Four alumni – Daphne Misbrenner (1963), Thelma Woods (1953), Rose-Marie Radley AM (1953), and Enid Webster (1943) – were also honoured for their roles in helping to transform the former sanitarium into New South Wales' largest private hospital.

CEO Brett Goods said the hospital's existence would not have been possible without the "innovative and progressive spirit" of its original leaders.

"From their stories we learn how – in spite of obstacles – they were able to bring people together to enact progressive change and ultimately transform the state of healthcare in New South Wales and further afield," he said.

"Here at the San, we champion whole-person health – we provide the best in treating the patient in mind, body and spirit.

"Extraordinary things are possible, and the legacy of these visionary leaders is with us every day."

The service featured the inaugural presentation of the 'Visionaries of the San' video, which included interviews with former CEO Dr Bert Clifford, former chaplain Pam Ludowici, and Ms Radley – the hospital's longest-serving director of nursing, who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours List.

"There were great advances during those times in cancer care, in surgery, in radiotherapy," Dr Clifford said.

"And before 1978, cardiac surgery was only done in public hospitals. We had a visiting US surgeon who told me he thought we had the facilities to offer a cardiac program.

"We believed it could be done and we had to persuade the board. Now it is the anchor of the hospital."

Ms Radley, who was director of nursing from 1973 to 1996, recalled "fighting the board" to ensure the training she gave to young novices was up to scratch.

"I used to fight for my nurses, because we wanted the hospital to be up to standard," she said.

Mrs Ludowici said learning to care for the "whole person" on the cancer wards was a highlight of her time at the San, from 1975 to 2005.

"We learnt a lot about the psychological and social support for patients once they had been diagnosed and left the hospital.

"The surgeons used to give us lectures, and the allied health staff would help us as well," said Mrs Ludowici, who was also the cancer support centre co-ordinator and the help team manager alongside her role as chaplain.

"I'm so proud of the people I worked with, the people who inspired me. I can't speak highly enough of them all, the San is my home.

"San nurses were highly respected and sought after and still are today."

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