Rising Star finalist shines bright

Pictured: APNA President Karen Booth alongside Kasi at the awards

Although nurse Kasi Keeffe didn't take the top prize at the Rural Health Pro Awards her 'Health at Home' initiative sparkles in APNA's Building Nurse Capacity constellation.  

At the recent Rural Health Pro National Rural and Remote Health Awards held on Monday 13 November, one of the biggest success stories from APNA’s Building Nurse Capacity Program was a finalist in the Rising Star category.

Kasi Keeffe is a Registered Nurse and Credentialed Diabetes Educator at Wyalkatchem, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Perth and located on the traditional lands of the Ballardong Nyoongar people. She was nominated for the awards for her work building a nurse clinic that addressed a gap in primary health care in the small farming community. 

In 2022, Kasi observed that residents were missing out on vital health screening, health promotion, education and intervention due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. She was especially concerned about those residents living with long-term chronic diseases, including diabetes. 

So, she applied and was accepted to take part in APNA's Building Nurse Capacity Program, which supports nurses and nurse practitioners to develop nurse-delivered, team-based models of care, also known as nurse clinics. 

Her 'Health at Home' nurse clinic takes chronic disease management directly to her community by performing at-home health assessments.  

As lead nurse for the clinic, Kasi's focus is re-engaging with the community, building trust, 'giving power to the patients', and person-centred care.  

In particular, Kasi recognises the challenges that First Nations people with diabetes face and differences in access level to health care. She works hard to make sure the service she and her team deliver continues to meet the local population's health needs in a culturally safe manner. 

If you have an idea for improving the health and well-being of your patients, just like Kasi, the next round of the Building Nurse Capacity Program is open for Expressions of Interest. 

Visit the Building Nurse Capacity page to learn more about the program and how to apply. 

Applications close on Friday 5 January 2024.