Greg Price, Executive Care Manager at BCS Maranoa Centre in Alstonville has secured the first Provider Assist National Scholarship at September’s Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) National Conference.
The $35,000 scholarship, with the highest dollar value of any aged care industry award, includes a trophy and plaque as well as an all-expenses-paid SAGE study tour of Chicago, New York and Washington, including education and training activities and $2,000 in spending money.
While on the study tour, Mr Price will attend the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing (IHASA) Global Ageing Conference in Washington and meet with key international leaders in aged care.
With more than twenty years experience as a Director of Nursing in aged care in NSW and Queensland, Greg is passionate about enriching resident’s lives through a holistic approach to their care.
Greg has a long history of creating innovative approaches to assist staff to re-assess how they connect with the older people in their care, while emphasizing the importance of developing relationships and ensuring older people feel valued as individuals.
In his current role at BCS Maranoa Alstonville, Greg has introduced three new projects, including a community network development initiative with a retired university professor to develop links with a range of local identities and groups, and a 12 month interactive change management program to develop and embed new care initiatives.
The third project, interactive life stories, helps care staff to discover what is genuinely important to residents, while reinforcing the organisation’s focus on providing person-centered care and support. One feature of the project proving popular with BCS residents is the production of short videos to document each individual’s experiences, insights and interests.
“My time so far at BCS has flown and there is so much to do. I enjoy my job and believe I am good at what I do – I enjoy trying to the best of my ability to frame my thoughts, decisions and actions on supporting my co-workers, clients and stakeholder base. Aged care is about helping others and that is why I love it!”
“This experience has been so rewarding; as it promotes balance of reflection and forward thinking,” said Mr Price.
Greg has a diploma in nursing administration and a degree in health administration. In 2001, he received the Minister's Award for Professional Excellence in Residential Aged Care from the Department of Health and Ageing. He has presented 18 papers at Australian conferences and seminars and his work has been widely published.