Mercy Health

“A life raft in a sea of people,” is how Wiradjuri mum Sarah Bayliss described the care she received through our Nangnak Baban Murrup Midwifery Group Practice.

Seven months on from her successful birth through the Mercy program, Sarah brought her son Jiraiya back to Mercy Hospital for Women yesterday to meet La Trobe researcher Professor Della Forster whose Baggarrook Yurrongi research study provided the overarching framework for collaboration that included Mercy Hospital for Women, The Royal Women's Hospital, Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital, VACCHO and La Trobe's Judith Lumley Centre.

The recently published research confirmed that babies supported through culturally tailored midwifery models were less likely to be born prematurely, have a low birth weight or require neonatal intensive care. Mothers were also significantly more likely to begin breastfeeding.

Since 2018, more than 700 women have received care through Nangnak Baban Murrup at Mercy Hospital for Women.

Thank you to Sarah for generously sharing her story, and to our Aboriginal Programs, midwifery and research partners who continue to make this work possible.

Leadership can start with a simple decision to step forward.

Recently, Mercy Health celebrated 28 staff members graduating from the Diploma of Leadership and Management — including Mercy Health Albury’s Fiona Hogg, who shared a heartfelt reflection on how the experience changed the way she leads and connects with her team.

Fiona spoke about creating “communication bubbles” activities with staff that encouraged quieter voices to contribute more confidently during team discussions, helping build stronger connections and understanding across the department.

“It was such a powerful reminder that genuine connection fills the gaps where miscommunication once lived.”

Congratulations to Fiona and all of this year’s graduates on this achievement and their commitment to continued learning and growth.

There’s something special about going behind the scenes at Mercy Health! Recently, an incredible group of staff came together to share their career stories.

From what first attracted them to Mercy Health, to what keeps them here, each story offered a genuine glimpse into the people who make our organisation what it is.

They spoke openly about what flexibility really looks like in their roles and even reflected on what they would tell their younger selves starting out in their careers. We can’t wait to share these stories with you soon!