Bigambul registered nurse Kymberlie Cox has been named a finalist in the prestigious 2025 National Palliative Care Awards, recognised for her outstanding contributions to culturally safe, community-led end-of-life care.

Proudly sponsored by Silverchain, the National Palliative Care Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across Australia's palliative care sector.

Ms Cox, a registered nurse from the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, is one of the finalists for the 'Emerging Leader' category. The award honours an individual for their contributions to palliative care early in their working or academic life.

Her nomination for this category reflects her dedication and high standard of care at IUIH, where she works across both the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Team and the Domiciliary Service Team.

"It was initially a real shock and a very emotional moment. Being nominated was already a tremendous honour, but to be named a finalist alongside the remarkable achievements of Dr Priyanka and Charlotte in the same category is truly humbling," Ms Cox said.

"To be recognised in a professional capacity is not only a personal privilege, but also a reflection of the incredible work of the entire palliative care team at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. This recognition belongs to all of us and the strides we continue to make together."

As a finalist, Ms Cox is recognised not just for her clinical skills, but also for her empathetic approach to palliative care for First Nations communities - ensuring culturally safe, person-centred care that respects their values and traditions.

"This involves actively listening to communities to understand their needs, which may differ from what a perceived approach assumes, and collaborating with both internal and external providers to bring cultural insight into care planning," she explained.

"By combining education, advocacy, and coordinated support, we help ensure clients and their families feel truly understood, empowered, and supported throughout their journey."

But what truly shines through in Ms Cox's testimonial is the compassion and heart behind her work.

Recounting one memory from her time working with Ambulance Wish QLD and the First Nations Cancer Coordination Service, Ms Cox described it as a privilege "she will never forget".

"With this client, I attended their personal care while they were in hospital alongside his wife, and we were able to facilitate them to embrace and experience the closeness of each other one last time."

Having worked alongside the family through symptom management, education, grief support, and advocacy, Ms Cox believes providing comfort in those last moments is the most meaningful and humbling part of her work.

"The look of pure love and joy during this moment is what it's about," she reflected.

But this memory is only one of many. For Ms Cox, seeing the impact of supporting families firsthand strengthens her drive to provide compassionate end-of-life care.

"What truly touches me are the moments when family members, months after a client has passed, continue to express their gratitude. They are able to recall the client's final moments and how, alongside the teams, we were able to restore dignity at the end," she said.

"To me, those words are priceless."

Ms Cox is determined to bring positive change to the palliative care sector for the First Nations community and to continue facilitating those moments for families. She believes culturally safe, community-led approaches are "key" to improving First Nations end-of-life care.

"When care respects cultural values and is guided by community voices, more families and clients know what support is available and feel safe to access it. It builds trust, empowers people to make decisions that matter, and ensures care honours both the individual and their cultural identity," she said.

"This approach transforms palliative care from something people navigate alone into a journey they feel supported and confident in."

Turning to practical solutions, Ms Cox believes the biggest opportunities for growth in palliative care lie in improving access and equity.

"We need to continue innovating in how we deliver care, especially for rural and remote communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Leadership in this space means breaking down barriers so every person, regardless of background or location, can receive timely, culturally safe, and holistic support," she explained.

She also notes that improving workforce sustainability by making sure carers are educated and supported is vital to a successful palliative care sector.

"By empowering staff with ongoing training — particularly in home-based palliative care — we can build confidence, consistency, and compassion across the whole sector. I see advocacy as essential here, ensuring that people of all ages have their needs recognised and met, while staff feel supported to provide the highest standard of care," Ms Cox said.

"By embracing these opportunities, we can move toward a palliative care sector that is more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to the evolving needs of our communities."

Looking ahead, Ms Cox envisions a future where "palliative care in Australia is open, inclusive, and accessible — a place where yarning about the end of life is no longer a taboo, and where every culture, belief system and Indigenous tradition is truly honoured, respected, and acknowledged".

"I hope that care teams across the nation can learn to work cohesively alongside clients and families, navigating challenges as a unified force. Mental health support for both clients and caregivers should be integral, ensuring that the common goal of comfort, dignity, and connection is always within reach," she said.

"Palliative care should be a space where everyone feels seen, safe, and genuinely cared for across the board."

Speaking to the next generation of palliative carers, Ms Cox is realistic but encouraging.

"If you're thinking about a career in palliative care, I would say—prepare to be challenged, but also profoundly rewarded in ways you can't imagine. You will witness the deepest moments of human life: love, grief, laughter, and loss. You will sit with people at the very edges of their journey, and in doing so, you will learn what it truly means to care," she shared.

"It's not easy. You will feel grief and pain, and you must be willing to face it. But in facing it, you will also experience a profound sense of purpose, connection, and humanity. Palliative care teaches you to treasure life, to honour each person's journey, and to carry their stories with you, shaping the person and the professional you become."

''If you feel a pull toward this path, follow it with your whole heart. There is no greater privilege than being a source of comfort, dignity, and love when it matters most."

Palliative Care Australia chief executive Camilla Rowland commended award finalists on their achievements, emphasising that these nominations reflect their unwavering commitment and heart.

"The National Palliative Care Awards are one of the ways we can shine a light on the dedication and compassion of people across Australia who care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and the families and communities that surround them," Ms Rowland said.

"The award finalists are changemakers that have worked with their teams to deliver exceptional care and advocate for people at the most vulnerable moment in their lives."

Winners of the National Palliative Care Awards will be announced at the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (OPCC) 2025 in Meanjin / Brisbane at the Awards Gala Dinner, 11 September.

More information is available online.