A FORMER director of nursing and midwifery at the Tweed and Murwillumbah district hospitals died last Saturday.

Northern NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Vahid Saberi said Jane Ackerman passed away after a period of illness.

"On behalf of the NNSW LHD I wish to acknowledge the significant contribution of Ms Jane Ackerman to the nursing profession and to the hospitals she managed during her time with the health service," Mr Saberi said.

Ms Ackerman was dedicated to the nursing profession and had a long career in nursing.

She commenced her nursing career in 1974 at Rockhampton Base Hospital and then as a registered nurse at the Dandenong Hospital.

This was followed by undertaking the Midwifery Certificate at the Lyell McEwan Hospital in South Australia, a Bachelor of Health Science at Charles Sturt University and a Master of Health Administration at the UNSW.

Ms Ackerman continued developing her interest in nursing and human potential by also undertaking a Diploma in Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology, which she completed in 2004.

During this time Ms Ackerman held positions as the Executive Officer/Director of Nursing at Mullumbimby & District War Memorial Hospital and Byron District Hospital.

Her last position was as the Director of Nursing and Midwifery at The Tweed and Murwillumbah District Hospitals, a position she had held since March 2010.

Mr Saberi said Ms Ackerman made a tremendous contribution to the nursing profession and her dedication to the former North Coast Area Health Service was recognised and greatly appreciated.

He said she was a health professional who was highly respected and admired by her colleagues, was caring and thoughtful to her friends and colleagues right up until her passing and often thinking about others ahead of herself.

"On behalf of the NNSW LHD, I wish to extend our sincere sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues," Mr Saberi said.