RITE staff member

But colleagues say she’ll always take on more to benefit patient care or help her team.

At the height of the COVID-19 Delta surge she was integral to establishing six rapid testing clinics in Sydney and community testing in Far North West NSW.

She managed training, onsite support and implementation with the sole aim of relieving pressure on lab and hospital staff and ensuring efficient patient results.

It meant remote communities had access to COVID testing and staff in regional areas with no experience in microbiology testing were supported to use rapid testing kits.

Gayle proved an exemplary leader, managing and delegating tasks. She worked extraordinarily long hours yet always checked in on her teams, prioritising their health and mental wellbeing.

She would answer calls at 2am from clinical staff in emergency departments wanting advice.

Gayle is also involved in innovative external projects that ensure disadvantaged communities have better access to healthcare. She helped fit-out the Street Side Medic mobile van with PoCT devices, improving medical care for homeless people. She also oversees PoCT testing for the Pacifika Program which provides church-based diabetes testing and screening for Pacific Island communities.

Gayle is a fierce advocate for her team and is willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. Her cando attitude uplifts us all and she is a champion of workplace diversity and inclusion.