The annual WA Rural Health Excellence Awards, hosted by Rural Health West and WA Country Health Service, recognise, and acknowledge the vital role health professionals play in WA rural communities.
More than thirty health professionals and health teams were recognised for their incredible achievements and contributions at a ceremony held on Saturday 11th March, with 13 award recipients across 12 categories.
The University of Western Australia’s WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) Geraldton Senior Lecturer Kathryn Fitzgerald was joint winner of the Rural Researcher or Educator category.
“Having the contributions of the WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) education program recognised through this state-wide award from Rural Health West and the WA Country Health service is a great honour,” says Senior Lecturer Kathryn Fitzgerald.
“The education program delivered at WACRH ensures two critical workforce groups, Allied Health and Nursing, are capable and confident to work in rural and remote areas.
“We design innovative allied health and nursing placements to increase clinical placement length, so students can spend longer learning in and from our rural and remote communities.
"Our semester and year-long speech pathology placements, as an example, are unique in Australia.
“We are proud to see many of our past students now working in the regions."
WACRH Director Professor Sandra Thompson says, "Kathryn is indefatigable in her efforts to share her knowledge and grow the rural health workforce."
"She is an experienced allied health professional with over 30 years working in rural and remote areas, who does not waiver from delivering education excellence.