Dr Nicola Clayton awarded Concord Hospital's prestigious honour.

Clinical specialist speech pathologist Dr Nicola Clayton has been named the 2023 Pride of Concord Medal winner. 

Dr Clayton has worked at Concord Hospital for more than 23 years and is recognised internationally for her clinical expertise and research into the assessment and treatment of complex swallowing disorders, respiratory disease and severe burns injury. 

She is also known for her willingness to share her expertise with her colleagues to help their development and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. 

Dr Clayton said she loved her work at Concord Hospital and her ‘multiple families’ in the Speech Pathology, Burns Unit, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care teams. 

“I'm such a fan of multidisciplinary collaborative teamwork,” she said. 

“And when you're involved in such an amazing team, as in all of these different teams, it makes coming to work not only a pleasure, but also worthwhile.” 

Dr Clayton said she was committed to using her clinical expertise and research to improve patient outcomes, as well as mentor others. 

“Keeping all the information to myself is not really going to help. I want to share it with not only my patients, but also my team members, not only locally, but also further beyond that as well." 

The peer nominated medal was presented during a special ceremony by Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive, Dr Teresa Anderson. 

“The Pride of Concord Award is well-deserved recognition for the outstanding contribution Nicola has made, not only to Concord Hospital and Sydney Local Health District, but across NSW and Australia,” Dr Anderson said. 

Acting General Manager Joseph Jewitt said celebrating the hospital’s highest award was always a special day for the hospital and that Dr Clayton was an ‘an incredibly deserving winner’. 

The District’s Director of Allied Health Sarah Whitney said Dr Clayton had become one of the key allied health research leaders in the District and across NSW. 

“Nicola is an exceptional clinician, researcher, and strives for best practice in everything she does,” Ms Whitney said. 

“She's respected by both senior management and junior clinicians alike and has long been recognised for her leadership and clinical excellence at Concord.” 

Alongside the framed Pride of Concord Medal, Dr Clayton received a Concord gold lion crest badge, a cheque for $5000 to contribute to professional development and a dinner voucher.