Jacki Hilton spent her early years as an Enrolled Nurse at the hospital while studying nursing at Charles Sturt University.

Returning to Calvary

After more than two decades at the local public hospital, Jacki has returned to take on the role of ’s General Manager, saying the culture of Calvary makes the decision to return an easy one.

“There is something really special about Calvary. The staff are so supportive of one another and are committed to delivering high quality care to their patients,” Jacki said.

Calvary has been a constant feature throughout her life, including birthing both her children at same hospital she is now in charge of leading.

“There’s a genuine care you feel when you walk into the front doors of a Calvary facility – the patients and clients aren’t just a number or just an operation to the staff here,” Jacki said.

At the local public hospital, Jacki held a number of positions including Nurse Unit Manager of the Orthopedic Ward and Intensive Care Unit., before becoming the Director of Nursing, helping lead the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) response to COVID-19.

Focus for the future

Reflecting on her 23 years with MLHD, Jacki says the COVID-19 pandemic had been the most challenging period of her career so far.

“People’s lives depended on us. We basically changed the whole way we worked, from how we admitted patients and managed those with respiratory illnesses, to how we care for ourselves,” Jacki said.

As she embarks on her next chapter, Jacki says her focus will be to strengthen the partnership between the public and private health sectors.

“Calvary and the LHD share the vision of providing high quality health care to Wagga Wagga and the wider community. I will be drawing on my experience in the public health sector to build relationships, to ensure we help each other out where and when we can,” Jacki said.