Seven Mid West health professionals named as finalists in 2025 Rural Health Excellence Awards

Seven Mid West health professionals have been honoured for their dedication, compassion, and ingenuity by being named finalists in the 2025 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

The local finalists — among a field of 27 finalists across nine categories selected from more than 130 nominations — are from a variety of disciplines, ranging from established specialists to emerging leaders, but all go above and beyond in delivering the best rural healthcare possible.

The awards are a joint effort between WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West.

WACHS chief executive Jeff Moffet said it has never been more important to recognise country healthcare workers.

“Time and again, country clinicians step up to make sure we’re able to support those living in even the most remote corners of our State,” he said.

Rural Health West chief executive Tim Shackleton praised the diversity of skills of this year’s nominations.

“Rural health clinicians are some of the most talented, dedicated, and highest-quality professionals you can possibly have,” he said.

“Often working in challenging circumstances, they demonstrate incredible ingenuity, and their decision to work rurally speaks volumes about their dedication to their patients and the wellbeing of the broader community.”

Winners will be announced at a ceremony during the WA Rural Health Conference on Saturday, March 16 next year.

The Mid West finalists are:

KAREN YARDLEY

Ms Yardley is a finalist for allied health professional of the year, recognised for her dedication over a decade to advancing pharmacy services in rural WA. As regional chief pharmacist for WACHS Mid West, Ms Yardley oversees clinical pharmacy services across two hospitals and 19 nursing posts, pioneering initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship programs, pharmacist-partnered charting, and expanded emergency department services. Her leadership and mentoring of pharmacy interns and junior doctors has also earnt praise. She is a credentialed diabetes educator, and beyond her professional role, she has volunteered with St John WA for more than 10 years. Her work in the region’s COVID-19 response, disaster preparedness and medication safety is said to have had a transformative impact on the community.

ELIZABETH SZCZEPANSKA

Ms Szczepanska, a psychologist with a 50-year career including 16 years in the Geraldton community, is a finalist for community health professional of the year, honoured for her focus on healing and empowerment. After 13 years at Centacare Family Services, Ms Szczepanska set up her private practice, B Well Psychology, collaborating with local GPs to support more than 10,000 clients with complex mental health challenges. Ms Szczepanska has created transformative psychoeducational programs, including for female prisoners and men struggling with anger and aggression. Ms Szczepanska also advocates for victims of trauma, providing reports for the Redress Scheme and Crime and Compensation Tribunal, and has recently focused on supporting neurodivergent clients.

DEBRA COLLINS

Serving Mid West communities as a nurse and St John WA volunteer for more than 40 years has seen Ms Collins named a finalist for community health professional of the year. The community fixture plays a vital role in hospital care and ambulance services across Morawa, Perenjori, Mullewa, and Three Springs. She handles most St John WA transfers, often assisting after night shifts, and has been a key in critical incidents, including a recent retrieval following a tragic motor vehicle accident. Ms Collins’ pro-active stance has also seen her create her own first aid kit, teach junior staff and conduct major incident preparedness training. Her community spirit has also won praise, with first aid training, motivational talks, career guidance for local children and involvement in local events.

LYNETTE CAMPBELL

Ms Campbell has been indispensable to the Kalbarri community for more than four decades. Her long-term commitment has seen her named a finalist for nurse or midwife of the year. She has worked across the local doctors’ surgery, health centre, palliative care and home visits. Ms Campbell’s deep knowledge of her community allows her to recognise subtle changes in patients’ health and advocate for their needs. Her ability to pre-empt medical requirements during emergencies and provide calm, organised support has earned her admiration from colleagues and patients alike. She is said to treat every patient with patience, respect and holistic care, even in challenging situations. She is also the head of Kalbarri’s palliative care team, leading with empathy and gentleness.

JULIE HANCOCKS

Ms Hancocks is also a finalist for nurse or midwife of the year. For 14 years, she has been a clinical nurse specialist and diabetes educator with WACHS in the Mid West. Hailing from the UK, Ms Hancocks’ nursing career spans four decades. Since moving to Australia in 2010, she has travelled over 20,000km annually, delivering diabetes education to more than 500 vulnerable clients across Geraldton, the Gascoyne, Mid West and Murchison. Her approach with Aboriginal health workers, GPs and allied health teams helps ensure clients navigate the healthcare system effectively. Ms Hancocks’ culturally appropriate and evidence-based care has improved health outcomes for Aboriginal clients. Her achievements include increased HBA1c testing rates and notable improvements in diet, activity, smoking cessation, and medication compliance.

DR APAKS DEDE

A paediatrician who is renowned as a champion of rural health, Dr Dede is a finalist for specialist of the year (non-GP). His career has spanned decades, starting at Camperdown Children’s Hospital in Sydney, followed by 13 years in Alice Springs. For more than 12 years, Dr Dede has delivered the paediatric service in Geraldton. He is said to bring unparalleled expertise, compassion, and mentorship to the Mid West. Dr Dede has been praised for leading with humility and kindness, supporting colleagues, mentoring junior staff, and inspiring many to pursue careers in paediatrics. He has also provided long-term care through clinics in Meekatharra and Mt Magnet.

JASMINE YARDLEY

Ms Yardley is a finalist for young professional of the year, recognised for being an emerging and exceptional force in rural mental health. The registered psychologist and Geraldton local founded her own practice, Psychsense Therapeutic Services, at the age of 25, creating career opportunities and providing accessible, evidence-based mental health care. Juggling the challenges of family responsibilities and costly travel for training, Ms Yardley has fostered significant growth in the profession. She has employed eight psychologists, supported three provisional psychologists to achieve full registration, and provided paid placements for social work students. Praised for her innovative leadership, Ms Yardley has delivering tailored mental health workshops for rural industries, developed unique programs like Minecraft Mates for young people with disabilities and reduced stigma around health-seeking.