SA Health Awards

The SA Health Awards showcase excellence in the public health sector.

The Awards recognise and reward individuals, teams, programs or projects that have significantly improved the delivery of health services to the South Australian community. They also honour the commitment of those who work to improve the performance of the public health sector.

The SA Health Awards Ceremony was held on Friday 28 November to announce the winners. We congratulate our 2025 winners and finalists for their exemplary programs and the exceptional contributions they make.

Premier’s Award – Healthcare for Future Generations

This award recognises nominations that exemplify one of the Public Sector’s key values – Sustainability – for projects and initiatives that deliver the best results for current and future generations of South Australians into the future, by providing cost-effective and consumer-centric infrastructure, systems or services.

This Award aligns with the Department for Premier and Cabinet’s Strategic Direction 2022-25.

Winner: SA Trachoma Program, Eyre and Far North Local Health Network (EFNLHN)
Finalist: NALHN Swallowcliffe Team, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)
Finalist: First Fully Electric and Gas-Free Health Service – Kangaroo Island Health Service, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN)

Minister’s Award for Innovation

This award recognises those who demonstrate innovation in healthcare.

It supports the South Australian Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2025 by one or more of the following:

Partnering with clinicians, consumers and carers using research and evaluation to design high-quality, innovative and contemporary health services.
Using emerging technology, new treatment and research breakthroughs that challenge our existing methods and assumptions.
Fostering a culture of continuous innovation, learning and improvement.

Winner: PAMICO Project, Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN)
Finalist: Increasing Access to Cervical Screening via Telehealth Self-Collection, Preventive Health SA in partnership with SHINE SA
Finalist: Exercise Physiology Team Inpatient Rehabilitation, NALHN

Dr Phil Tideman Award for Improving Access and Equity

This award honours Dr Tideman by recognising his boldness and innovation for change. Dr Tideman was a mentor, educator and an outstanding leader who ensured that those living in rural and remote Australia were provided with access to the highest quality care and the best clinical outcomes.

This award recognises individuals, teams, or initiatives improving access and equity in healthcare.
It acknowledges the pursuit of excellence through innovation, boldness, and ambition to drive better health outcomes for all South Australians.

Winner: Regional Orthotics & Prosthetics Team – FUNLHN Whyalla Hospital, Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network (FUNLHN)
Finalist: Homelessness and Oral Health Program (HOHP), SA Dental, Statewide Clinical Support Services (SCSS), CALHN
Finalist: Regional Care Connect Pilot Program, Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health (CEIH) and Regional Support Services (RSS)

Enhancing Access to Acute Care

This award recognises those who demonstrate a contribution to strategies that enhance access to acute care and keep people out of hospital, or get them home sooner, through one or more of the strategies below:

Facilitate effective coordination and continuity of care.
Minimise the pressure on our health system.
Deliver quality care closer to home.

Winner: LAUNCH TCP: Linking Access Urgency, Navigation, Capacity and Handover, CALHN
Finalist: 2024 Winter Demand Code-Yellow IMT, all 10 Local Health Networks / SA Ambulance Service / Department for Health and Wellbeing
Finalist: Ward 1E Stroke and Neurology, NALHN

Improving Patient Care

This award recognises those who demonstrate a contribution to making hospital care better by one or more of the strategies below:

Improving health outcomes for people in hospital care.
Improving efficiency and effectiveness of hospital care (e.g. patient flow or financial efficiency).

Winner: Royal Adelaide Hospital Acute Stroke Intervention – Nation Leading Stroke Care, CALHN
Finalist: Dementia Care Companion Program – Acute and Urgent Care (AUC) and CALHN Volunteers partnership, CALHN
Finalist: Paediatric Eating Disorder Program, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN)

Excellence in Collaboration and Building Partnerships

This award recognises outstanding leadership and outcomes in strengthening partnerships, both within SA Health, with external agencies; or by supporting SA Health’s Safety and Quality programs and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHSS) through partnerships with the community, consumers and/or carers.

Winner: CONNECT, NALHN
Finalist: Health Equity Through Partnership: Breast Screening Inside Adelaide Women's Prison, BreastScreen SA, SCSS, CALHN
Finalist: Riverland Interprofessional Student Placement Program, Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN)

Excellence in Non-Clinical Services

This award recognises individuals, teams, or initiatives that provide outstanding corporate or administrative support, advice and direction. It acknowledges improved policies, processes and efficiencies that support the delivery of high-quality healthcare and/or wellbeing initiatives.

Winner: Discharge Button Project, SALHN
Finalist: Haematology Oncology School Team, Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN)
Finalist: State Health Coordination Centre Data and Analytics Team, DHW

Young Professional of the Year

Young professionals are the current and future leaders of SA Health. This award recognises the commitment and dedication of our young professionals. It acknowledges the pursuit of excellence in innovation, creativity, leadership and ambition resulting in health reform and/or wellbeing initiatives.

Winner: John Denton, iCCnet at the RSS
Finalist: Arna Westhead, CALHN
Finalist: Joscelin Powell, CALHN

Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Health

This award honours Dr O’Donoghue by recognising her tireless advocacy, ground-breaking leadership and endless commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians. It celebrates and encourages excellence in the field of Aboriginal health, ensuring that her pioneering spirit and dedication continue to inspire future generations.

This award recognises excellence and innovation by individuals and/or teams in the delivery of improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

It supports the Aboriginal Health Care Framework 2023 – 2031 Strategic Priorities:

Healthier Aboriginal Communities
Strengthen Aboriginal Workforce
Improve Health Service Access and Delivery
Partner for Better Outcomes

Winner: BHFLHN Keeping Families Healthy Together Model of Care, BHFLHN
Finalist: Purdita Muna Pirku (Kaurna: “Kidney Dream Team”), CALHN
Finalist: My Journey Needs Round Team, NALHN

Improving Patient Safety and Quality of Care

This award recognises outstanding improvements in patient safety and quality of care.
It supports the priorities of SA Health’s Safety and Quality programs and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHSS).

Winner: RAH ICU Skin and Wound Assessment Team (SWAT), CALHN
Finalist: Clozapine Pharmacy Assistant Team, BHFLHN
Finalist: Statewide Cancer Medication Management, SA Pharmacy, SCSS, CALHN

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Last updated: 19 Dec 2025