2010 Award Winners

The Personal Injury Education Foundation has announced the winners of the 2010 Excellence in Personal Injury Management Awards.  The winners are:


The winner of the Student Excellence award was Michelle Carse, a manager from WorkCover South Australia. WorkCover SA’s Deputy Chief Executive, Jeff Matthews, said that which Michelle learned during her Masters’ courses enabled her to implement initiatives around return to work in a more integrated way. It has helped create linkages across the scheme. ‘She has become a valued member of the organisation’s leadership.

The winner of the Excellence in Customer Service award went to Melissa Upson, a Case Manager from QBE Workers Compensation in Victoria. Melissa’s personal, collaborative approach helps guarantee the best outcomes for employers and injured workers. Her drive to go above and beyond for her clients has made her a deserving winner.

Marcia Barker, a manager at WorkSafe Victoria, was the worthy winner of the Excellence in Return to Work / Return to Community award. Marcia was instrumental in coordinating the implementation of Victoria’s recent return to work legislative reforms in a complex multi-stakeholder environment.

The Excellence in Personal Injury Management award went to Natalie Moss, a Senior Case Manager at Allianz Australia. Natalie has managed complex and challenging high-risk claims in the personal injury industry. She was nominated by Allianz to help Victoria’s Department of Human Services bushfire relief program in 2009, developing initiatives that improved claims management processing.

WorkSafe Victoria’s Return to Work Inspectorate won the Innovation in Personal Injury Management award. The inspectorate was formed in 2008 and is responsible for helping understand and comply with their obligation to help injured employees back to work. Support for the Return to Work Inspectorate is so great that other jurisdictions are now looking into adapting Victoria’s model.

Liz Cairns, Manager of New Zealand’s National Serious Injury Service (part of the   Accident Compensation Corporation) was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual award. Liz led the reform of the ACC which supports people with serious injuries and implementation of the NSIS. She has promoted close collaboration between NSIS and jurisdictions in Australia. Liz will take part in a Personal Injury Education Foundation international study tour to the value of $15,000.

The winners in all other categories were awarded $2,500 cash along with the coveted Excellence in Personal Injury Management Awards 2010 trophy.

And again, the winners are:

Excellence in Personal Injury Management
Natalie Moss (Allianz Australia)

Innovation in Personal Injury Management
Return to Work Inspectorate (WorkSafe Victoria)

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Liz Cairns (Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand)

Excellence in Return to Work/Return to Community
Marcia Barker (WorkSafe Victoria)

Excellence in Customer Service
Melissa Upson (QBE Workers Compensation (Vic) Ltd)

Student Excellence
Michelle Carse (WorkCover South Australia)
 

PIEF would like to congratulate all winners, well done!