2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards finalist: Cristina Taucean
Whether it’s wound care or palliative services in the home, Cristina Taucean is passionate about providing care and making sure South West communities are aware of all the care options available outside of a hospital setting.
Based in Bunbury, Cristina is the nurse manager for Mamang – Outpatients and Ambulatory Care Service. Since taking on the role in 2021, she has helped to improve access to care in the home and expanded at-home services which has meant staff numbers have more than doubled in that time.
Compassionate and humble, she leads her team by example, something that has seen her nominated in the Clinical Leader of the Year category for the 2026 Rural Health Excellence Awards.
Cristina says her passions lies with improving at-home care in the region.
“I am passionate about providing services that have a holistic approach and are patient centred,” she said.
Her holistic and forward-thinking approach is attributed with reducing hospital admissions and strengthening primary care connections.
She’s also spearheaded improvements in patient safety by introducing digital QR audits for Medical Emergency and Resuscitation trolleys.
“It is a privilege to work in this role because I am leading the expansion of the Hospital in the Home service.”
Born in Romania, she’s lived and worked in Australia for the past 27 years.
“I started as volunteer in a day centre providing support to people with disability, then decided to start my career in health.”
Overwhelmed by the nomination, Cristina says she wants to keep her focus, on her work.
“I love my job; I love the challenges that come with my role, but don’t like any fuss. I am better at doing things, than taking about it,” she said.
“It is a privilege to be nominated and to be honest staff have been more exited for me that I am.”
The WA Rural Health Excellence Awards are hosted by WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on Saturday, 14 March 2026.