Twenty of the nation's finest health professionals and health teams have been recognised as Medicare Champions in the Stronger Medicare Awards.
In Medicare's 40th birthday year, the Stronger Medicare Awards recognise and honour the outstanding health professionals and other workers in clinics, health centres, general practices and primary care settings, all around Australia.
The 20 Medicare Champions have been honoured at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, recognised for their outstanding achievements, commitment to innovation and unwavering dedication to their patients.
The nine individual winners include general practitioners, nurse practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and allied health professionals. Eleven primary health care teams were also recognised.
Many of them work closely with diverse groups including people experiencing homelessness, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, asylum seekers and refugees, and First Nations people.
Recipients have also been acknowledged for their innovative approaches to improving access to health care in rural and regional Australia.
More than 140 exceptional nominations were received from across the country, with 37 finalists and the final 20 Medicare Champions chosen by a panel of experts.
In further recognition of the importance of the primary care sector, the Government is developing the first ever workforce campaign from the Australian Government targeted specifically at primary care.
The campaign will elevate the profile and importance of careers in general practice and primary care, including GPs, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, First Nations health practitioners and every role in between.
The campaign aims to shine a light on the fulfilling and diverse careers on offer in primary care and inspire more health care students, early graduates, and junior doctors to choose a career in primary care.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"Congratulations to the 20 individuals and teams honoured as Medicare Champions in the Stronger Medicare Awards, as well as the 17 other finalists and all of the great health professionals who were nominated.
"Our nation is so privileged to have so many selfless, dedicated, caring and innovative health care workers, who turn up every day to keep their patients healthy and out of hospitals.
"We need more of these professionals and that is why a new advertising campaign is planned for early 2025, to help raise the profile of working in primary care and attract more people to the sector.
"It seems incredible to me that there has never been a primary care workforce campaign, considering how important this sector is. Development of that campaign is underway right now.
"The campaign will elevate primary care and raise the profile of GPs, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, First Nations health practitioners and every single role that make primary care and Medicare what they are today."
Medicare Champions
Individuals
Dr Mohammed Alebrahimi, Optometrist, People First Healthcare, Vic
Dr Lorraine Anderson, Medical Director, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, WA
Kerrie Duggan, Nurse Practitioner, Cygnet Family Practice, Tas
Dr Miranda Hann, General Practitioner, Ochre Health, Tas
Dr Dong Hua, Practice Principal & Director, Kenyon Street Medical Centre, NSW
Dr Lester Mascarenhas, General Practitioner, Utopia Refugee Health, Vic
Dr Andrew Palfreman, General Practitioner, Watson General Practice, ACT
Laura Stewart, Pharmacist, Pharmacy 777, WA
Selin Tekirdag, Practice Nurse Manager & Chronic Disease Nurse Manager, Chase Medical and Dental Centre, NSW
Teams/Clinics
Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub, Vic
GROW Clinical Psychology, Vic
Inala Primary Care, Qld
Mallee Border Health Centre, SA
Medical Respite Centre (Homeless Healthcare) WA
Midwifery Group Practice (Top End Health Service), NT
Mission Health, Tas
Next Practice Canberra, ACT
Pramana Medical Centre, WA
Street Side Medics, NSW & Vic
Antenatal Clinic (Swift Street Medical Centre), NSW
