By Peter Bugden
ANITA Covington was drawn to work at Mater Hospital Brisbane because of its values, now she’s being honoured for the way she lives them.
Ms Covington, a social worker and the Healthy Ageing co-ordinator at the hospital, received the 2015 Mercy Week Mission Award at a ceremony on Mercy Day, September 24, which is also the feast of Our Lady of Mercy.
The award gives recognition for living the Mater values – Mercy, Dignity, Care, Commitment and Quality.
Ms Covington said she was overwhelmed to have received the award.
“I didn’t know I was receiving it until I was at the presentation,” she said.
“I knew I was a finalist, which was surprising enough.
“I was totally unprepared.”
Ms Covington said she had been happy in a good job elsewhere before applying to work at the Mater.
“I was very attracted to the values,” she said.
“I think it’s difficult to imagine health care without the elements of compassion and mercy.
“Health care without compassion is wanting.”
Ms Covington said research had shown merciful works and “the compassionate way people go about their work” had beneficial effects in health outcomes.
She said she had been taught by the Sisters of Mercy and felt privileged “to come and work for the Mercies”.
Ms Covington was nominated anonymously by someone who had constantly crossed paths with her since she joined the Mater eight years ago.
“I have never met anyone who has such a positive effect on culture by being such a kind, considerate, dignified, respectful, helpful, hard-working, compassionate human being,” the nominator said.
“Anita is also very humble and would not be comfortable if she knew she was being nominated.
“Anita is not a manager, she hasn’t delivered big projects, she hasn’t published or brought in millions for the hospital, but she represents all of the quiet achievers, those who go about their roles with Mater values stamped on everything they do.”
The Mercy Awards are held each September as part of Mater’s Mercy Week to celebrate Mater’s identity and the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy.
Mercy Day (September 24) celebrates the day Catherine McAuley established the House of Mercy in Dublin in 1827, before founding the Sisters of Mercy four years later.
Mater’s executive director of mission leadership Madonna McGahan said Mercy Week was an important acknowledgement of Mater people and their commitment to its mission and values.
“Anita shows that the Mercy spirit is alive at Mater in 2015,” she said.
