WA Country Health Service shines bright in Rural Health Excellence Awards with 19 finalists
More than 30 health professionals and teams have been shortlisted from over 130 nominations for this year’s WA Rural Health Excellence Awards – including 19 WA Country Health Service (WACHS) finalists.
Hosted by WACHS and Rural Health West, the annual awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of rural health professionals in clinical practise, leadership, research, education, innovation and improvement and community health.
WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said this year, more than ever, it was important to recognise that country clinicians go above and beyond for their communities.
“There’s no doubt the last two years have been challenging for the health sector. But thanks to the support and leadership of our country health workforce, it’s a challenge we’ve been able to rise to,” Mr Moffet said.
“Together, we manage the health needs of communities spanning more than 2.55 million square kilometres.
“The collective skill and talent we have caring for country communities is unmatched and the Rural Health Awards are a very important way to recognise the remarkable contributions of our people.”
Rural Health West Chief Executive Officer Tim Shackleton said this year’s nominations highlighted the incredible calibre of health professionals working in country WA.
“The selection process has become harder and harder for those on our judging panels, as some of the work being undertaken is simply phenomenal,” Mr Shackleton said.
“It’s particularly gratifying to see such strong competition in our Rising Star category, which suggests that we have a very strong cohort of early career professionals poised to transform their workplaces and improve the health and wellbeing of communities in years to come.
“We are extremely proud to celebrate all of the health professionals nominated this year for their commitment, dedication and passion.”
A panel of clinicians and representatives from rural and health organisations selected the finalists across twelve award categories.
The winners of the 2023 WA Rural Health Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony held during the WA Rural Health Conference on Saturday, 11 March 2023.
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Award |
First Name |
Organisation |
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Building Healthy Country Communities |
WA Country Health Service Pilbara Palliative Care Service |
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Diabetes Telehealth for Country WA, Diabetes WA |
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Warren Blackwood Enhancing Primary Health initiative, collaborative of primary health providers in Manjimup and Bridgetown |
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Clinical Leadership |
Dr Jonathan Blundell |
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Services |
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Helen Stuart |
WA Country Health Service – Bridgetown |
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Dr Joy Rowland |
Department of Justice |
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GP of the Year |
Dr Michael Dewing |
Bridgetown Medical Group |
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Dr Olga Ward |
Eastern Wheatbelt Visiting GP Service |
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Dr Kylie Sterry |
Plaza Medical Centre, Kalgoorlie |
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Metropolitan-based Bush Champion |
Dr Justin Yeung |
WA Country Health Service –Command Centre |
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Dr Lewis Marshall |
South Metropolitan Health Service – Fremantle |
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Professor Donna Mak |
The University of Notre Dame Australia – Fremantle |
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People’s Choice |
Laura Black |
Westonia Shire Surgery |
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Dr Rohan Carter |
Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service – Murchison Outreach Service |
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Alex Craig |
Karratha Eye Care |
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Rising Star |
Kyra King |
Goldfields Physio |
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Paige Weaver |
WA Country Health Service – Boyup Brook |
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Aimee Tingey |
WA Centre for Rural Health – Geraldton |
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Rural Allied Health Professional of the Year |
Sarah Tomlinson |
WA Country Health Service – Kununurra |
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Sally Rogers |
Earl Street Physiotherapy |
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Alex Craig |
Karratha Eye Care |
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Rural Nurse/Midwife of the Year |
Chantelle Pears |
WA Country Health Service – Pilbara |
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Catherine Kirby |
WA Country Health Service – Eastern Wheatbelt Primary Health Service |
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Jemima Higgins |
South West Aboriginal Medical Service |
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Rural Researcher or Educator |
Associate Professor Bronwyn Peirce |
The Rural Clinical School of WA and WA Country Health Service – Bunbury |
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Kathryn Fitzgerald |
WA Centre for Rural Health – Geraldton |
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Associate Professor Michele Gawlinski |
The Rural Clinical School of WA – Perth |
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Specialist of the Year (non-GP) |
Dr Jared Watts |
WA Country Health Service |
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Dr Pushpika Gunaratne |
WA Country Health Service – Goldfields |
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Dr Angela Alessandri |
WA Country Health Service – Great Southern |
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WA Country Health Service – Intern of the Year |
Dr Lucy Irvine |
WA Country Health Service – Bunbury |
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Dr Angela Park |
WA Country Health Service – Broome |
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Dr Josaphine Sadler |
WA Country Health Service – Albany |
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WA Country Health Service – RMO of the Year
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Dr Michelle dos Santos |
WA Country Health Service – Bunbury |
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Dr Renita Whittle |
WA Country Health Service – Broome |
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