18 February 2011

Scott Ambridge, Operations Manager for Enable New Zealand, has won the Glenys Baldick Memorial Award. This national award celebrates emerging leaders in health.

Mr Ambridge received the award, plus a $10,000 grant to fund educational and/or vocational development, at a ceremony in Wellington attended by representatives from award co-sponsors, the Ministry of Health and Accuro Health Insurance.

Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General Sector Capability and Implementation, Margie Apa, was part of the panel which choose Mr Ambridge. She says it was his qualities as a mature and professional leader that set him apart.

“What really stands out is his energy, drive and creativity. Not only does he have a sense of momentum and a strong desire to continue to improve services for his consumers, he is constantly reflecting on his role as a leader and manager.”

Introduced in 2008, the award celebrates the memory of Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s long-serving chief executive, Glenys Baldick, who died in 2006 at the age of 52. Glenys, who guided her organisation through five health reforms, was passionate about supporting and developing future leaders.

The award is open to senior health managers from the public sector and health-related NGOs. Candidates need to have a substantial record of accomplishment in management and be identified by their organisation as having the potential for further advancement to a senior executive or CEO role. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the candidate’s CEO.

As Operations Manager for Enable New Zealand, Scott Ambridge is responsible for operational oversight of services delivered under contracts with the Ministry of Health, ACC and District Health Boards. He says he’s thrilled to have won the award.

“It is validating for me. I can have confidence in what I have achieved and my potential to grow further in Enable New Zealand and in the health sector.

“The grant gives me many possible opportunities to learn more about leadership. At this stage I’m still thinking about how to use the money, to get the best value from it professionally and personally.”

Heather Browning, General Manager of Enable New Zealand, who supported Scott’s application, says she thought he would be an ideal candidate.

“This award specifically recognises the importance of commercial skills, alongside clinical or allied health skills, to our disability and health services and the value of such skills in providing the best value for our public funds.”

Previous award winners were:

· Lorna Murray, CEO of Connect Supporting Recovery (2008)

· Stella Ward, Director of Allied Health, Counties Manukau DHB (2009).

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