Transforming workplace culture – Atticus Health Jindivick
Located in the lush countryside of Gippsland’s Baw Baw Shire, Atticus Health Jindivick is a general practice clinic that embodies the spirit of care and connection.
While the clinic, school, and local hall form the heart of this charming country town, it is the people – like those at Atticus – that truly make Jindivick a vibrant and welcoming community.
The unwavering dedication of the Atticus Health team recently earned them the ‘Transforming Workplace Culture Award’ at the 2024 Gippsland Primary Health Awards.
With a team of five doctors, two nurses, and three medical receptionists, this small practice is a close-knit group united by their shared commitment to providing compassionate care to one another, their patients, and the broader community.
Clare Westlow, General Practice Clinician Liaison and Quality and Aged Care Manager at Atticus Health described the practice as “driven by soul”.
“We can be best described as a small practice with big heart! We’re driven by passion and purpose to treat every interaction with the utmost respect and attention,” she said.
“There is no greater joy than the act of giving. As Mark Twain once said about work, find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Clare paid tribute to their visionary Director and Founder, Dr Floyd Gomes, for his mentorship and commitment to the community.
“Dr Gomes transformed a vacant space in the clinic into the local postal agency so people don’t have to travel to Drouin for their postage needs. He also set up a street library, which has turned into the unofficial Jindivick Community Library. People bring and borrow books when they come to the clinic or to get their parcels” she said.
“His work has enabled our team to become the community-driven clinic we are”.
This philosophy shines through in everything the Atticus team does.
From birthdays to baby showers, every staff member milestone is honoured with heartfelt gestures, such as staff lunches and surprise celebrations.
Clare described social get-togethers as a key to creating a warm, close team dynamic.
“The clinic’s cultural diversity is recognised through shared meals ranging from Indian to Iranian. These gatherings strengthen team morale, cultivating a warm, joyful atmosphere that is felt by everyone who enter the clinic’s doors,” she said.
At Atticus Health, teamwork is embedded in their daily practice. Lead Receptionist, Toria Patten, explains, “Everyone in our clinic is part of a team. It’s not about one person; it’s about everyone working together to support the community. We’re a team not just because we work together but because we respect, trust, and care for each other.”
Atticus Health also sponsors the Jindivick Cricket Club, hosts an Easter egg hunt for local kids, and hosts a visit from Father Christmas every year. They also donated $1000 to the Warragul Community House last year in commemoration of Atticus Health’s 10-year anniversary.
These team-building and community-focused efforts have had a profound impact on the success of the clinic.
“A happier, healthier workforce has led to increased staff retention, reduced absences, and a strong sense of purpose and productivity,” Toria notes.
By creating an environment where every team member feels valued and respected, Atticus Health Jindivick has set an example of how workplace culture can transform not only a practice but an entire community.
“When patients come in, you get to know their lives – their joys, their challenges, their families. That connection is what makes it all worthwhile, said Toria.
It’s no surprise that, as Toria reflects, “In our last quarterly survey, 70% of our patients mentioned that we exceeded their expectations.”
When asked about what the award means to the team, Toria proudly stated, “This award recognises both management and staff for their daily dedication to the clinic and broader community. Winning this award made everyone feel that their hard work was worth it. It showed us that our small country practice can achieve great things.”
“We’ve received fantastic feedback from peers who were curious about how we run things, and that made us even prouder of what we’ve achieved together.”
