Insurance & Care NSW (icare) has named the finalists in five categories for its third annual Care and Service Excellence (CASE) awards.

Group Executive Workers’ Insurance John Nagle says submissions reflected innovation and people driving change across the industry.

“The awards showcase the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams in providing better outcomes for injured workers and employers, as well as specialised employer risk prevention activities,” he said.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday across seven categories, including a lifetime achievement award and customer excellence award.

Finalists in the other categories are:

• Young care and service professional of the year: Michael Blore of Workfocus Australia; Amy Brown from EML; Margaret Lichaa from Allianz Australia Workers’ Compensation NSW
• Outstanding care and service by an individual: Victoria Barber from EML; Kathy Hanly of EML; Shaun Lane from RehabCo; Eloise Stedman of Allianz; Lhing Vaiphei from QBE
• Outstanding care and service by a team: Allianz Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) and NSW Department of Industry, Allianz; Gallagher Bassett Services, community support service team; recovering independence services team, EML
• Excellence and innovation in injury management: Supporting optimal surgery care program, Allianz Australia; Proactive and early interventional approach to PTSD – TMF, EML; Emma Busby and Kelly Thomas, GIO; The vocational intervention program, Keystone Professionals; Marcella Romero, step-up capacity program, Rehab Management
• Excellence in improving employer performance: Altius Group; Aon Risk Solutions; The CommuniCorp Group; JLT workers’ compensation team.