Bunbury midwife Jemima Higgins named among finalists for prestigious WA Rural Health Excellence Awards

A Bunbury midwife has been named among the finalists for a prestigious rural health award, alongside a handful of other South West medical professionals.

South West Aboriginal Medical Service’s nurse practitioner and midwife, Jemima Higgins, has been shortlisted for the nurse/midwife of the year for the WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

These awards, which will be announced at a gala event in Perth on March 11, shine the spotlight on rural health professionals who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and wellbeing of others.

Mrs Higgins has been working for SWAMS for just over 11 years, after working in regional and remote communities in the Central Desert, Kimberley, Northern Territory and then Carnarvon before making the move to the South West.

She said simply making it as a finalist was a huge reward for doing work she was already so passionate about.

“I love collaborating with other organisations and working with the amazing staff at SWAMS,” she said.

“I feel absolutely honoured to be nominated for this award.”

Having a professional background in midwifery and nursing, Mrs Higgins said she had always been passionate about reproductive and sexual health, especially within the sphere of Aboriginal health.

“I’m strongly focused on the need to improve access for sexual and reproductive health for Aboriginal women and families,” she said.

“Improving access to these types of health care is so important for overall health.”

Other Bunbury finalists for the excellence awards were Dr Lucy Irvine and Dr Shelley Dos Santos, who were nominated for Intern of the year and resident medical officer of the year, respectively.

The Rural Clinical School of WA and WA Country Health Service’s clinical researcher, Associate Professor Bronwyn Peirce, was shortlisted for the rural researcher or educator of the year award

Further afield, Bridgetown’s Helen Stuart is among the finalists for the clinical leadership award, Boyup Brook’s Paige Weaver was shortlisted for the rising star award, and the Bridgetown Medical Group’s Dr Michael Dewing has been named as a finalist for GP of the year.

Rural Health West chief executive Tim Shackleton said this year’s nominations highlighted the incredible calibre of health professionals working in country WA.

“We are extremely proud to celebrate all of the health professionals nominated this year for their commitment, dedication and passion,” he said.