Nurse's passion immortalised

A YEAR after his untimely death in a cycling accident, Murray Bridge clinical nurse Anthony Teunnissen's legacy has been forged in local health circles.

Mr Teunnissen has received the inaugural award for extraordinary individual contribution, presented at the recent Hills Mallee Southern Regional Health Service awards night.

The award has been named after Mr Teunnissen, and in coming years will be used to honour employees and volunteers for their contribution to the health service.

The Department of Health will also contribute $2000 prize money for the award recipient, to be used for professional development.

The award will serve as a fitting tribute to the 31-year-old who "will not easily be forgotten", according to Murray Bridge hospital director of nursing Karen Hollitt.

Mr Teunnissen was a highly-valued member of the Murray Bridge hospital for nine years from 1995 until April 2004, seven of these as a clinical nurse.

He gained his bachelor of nursing in 1994, continuing on with further studies and completing his graduate diploma in Critical Care Nursing in 1997.

"Anthony was passionately involved in the ongoing development of education programs for the nurses of the hospital," Mrs Hollitt said.

"Anthony had an effervescent, happy personality, combined with excellent medical knowledge and clinical skills that made him a core team member and friend until his untimely death.

"In his short time with us he has passed on skills to others, which will be carried on for years to come, and for this we are grateful on a daily basis.

"Anthony is mentioned frequently and will not easily be forgotten not only as part of our hospital's history, but also as a developer of our future, meeting the needs of staff for years to come, so this ongoing award is reflective of his achievements."

Mr Teunnissen was born in Murray Bridge and is survived by his wife Trish and two sons, Hayden and Cameron.

Mrs Teunnissen said the family was proud and "very honoured" to have the award named in her husband's memory.

"The award not only recognises what an outstanding and dedicated nurse he was and the contribution he made to the Murray Bridge hospital and the community, but it also recognises what an exceptional person he was and he will always be remembered by all those who knew him," she said.

"Having the award named in his memory honours all of his qualities and contributions and future recipients of the award will be assisted to further enhance their own professional development in nursing, the profession in which Anthony loved and excelled in.

"It means so much to us that his work colleagues and friends nominated him and supported this award, we are truly thankful."

Article from murraybridge.yourguide.com.au