Outstanding healthcare professionals, services and community initiatives have been recognised at the 2026 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards.

Hosted by Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN), the awards were presented at a gala dinner on Friday 30 October 2026 at The Range Function Centre in Wagga Wagga.

The awards celebrate excellence in primary healthcare and recognise the people, teams and organisations making a significant contribution to leadership, innovation and healthy living across the Murrumbidgee region.

The 2026 major award winners were:

Promoting Healthy Living Award: Lungs in Action, In Motion Fitness

Innovation Award: Multidisciplinary High Risk Foot Clinic, Bill Ryder in partnership with Dr Nathaniel Chiang

Emerging Leader Award: Amelia Fitzgerald, Peer Team Leader, Wellways Universal Aftercare program

Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in Primary Healthcare Award: Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder - GP Antenatal Shared Care Program 2025

The inaugural Chair's Award for Distinguished Leadership, Governance and Service was also presented to Dr Jodi Culbert.

MPHN Board Chair Associate Professor Alam Yoosuff said the awards reflected the remarkable contribution health professionals, services and community initiatives were making across the region.

"Our strength lies in knowing this place, listening to its people and working together," Associate Professor Yoosuff said.

"Let us carry that strength into the year ahead with ambition for our region, care for one another and a shared determination to make tomorrow better."

2026 award winners and finalists

Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in Primary Healthcare Award

Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder has strengthened antenatal shared care in the Murrumbidgee through her leadership of the GP Antenatal Shared Care Program. By fostering collaboration between GPs, midwives and obstetric specialists, developing clinical resources and delivering professional education, she has helped build GP confidence and capacity to provide high-quality pregnancy care for families.
Dr Katrina De Marco, of Your Health Griffith, has strengthened access to healthcare for residential aged care residents in Hillston by establishing a sustainable model of regular GP services. Alongside her clinical work and her role as Regional Academic Lead for the University of Wollongong, she has helped ensure vulnerable older people receive consistent, high-quality care within their community.
Daniel Perri, Director and Senior Podiatrist at The Foot Clinics, developed a structured two-year graduate program to support new podiatrists entering the profession. Through mentoring, workforce education and his role as a clinical educator at Charles Sturt University, Daniel is helping build a skilled and sustainable podiatry workforce, supporting clinician confidence, wellbeing and professional development.
Dr Nathaniel Chiang, Vascular Surgeon at the Riverina Vascular Care Centre, established a weekly multidisciplinary high risk foot clinic that has transformed the pathway for patients at risk of limb loss across the Murrumbidgee. By bringing vascular surgery, podiatry and advanced assessment together through one coordinated pathway, Dr Chiang has strengthened collaboration between primary and specialist care, enabled earlier intervention and improved access to limb-saving treatment closer to home.

Innovation Award

Dr Nathaniel Chiang and Bill Ryder, centre, with MPHN Director Dr Ryan Bulger and award sponsor Matthew Lawes of Advanced Communications Riverina.

The Multidisciplinary High Risk Foot Clinic is transforming care for patients at risk of limb loss. By bringing together podiatry, vascular surgery and specialised technology in a coordinated model of care, the clinic improves access to timely, evidence-based treatment, helping patients receive limb-saving care closer to home.
Improving Access to Structured Scoliosis Care in the Griffith and Riverina Community is helping people with scoliosis access assessment, education, exercise-based management and ongoing monitoring closer to home. Developed by the team at Riverina Family Chiropractic, the program provides a coordinated local care pathway, reducing the need for travel while empowering patients and families to better understand and manage scoliosis.
2025 Narrandera Tradie Charity Day – Tough Jobs, Real Talk is an innovative community-led initiative that brings mental health conversations directly to local tradies in a familiar and trusted setting. Hosted by Bundy's Plastering, the event connected more than 80 tradies and community members with mental health services, lived-experience speakers and support organisations, helping to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and strengthen community connections.

Promoting Healthy Living Award

Mick Wainwright of Lungs in Action, In Motion Fitness.

The Lungs in Action program, led by Exercise Physiologist Mick Wainwright, helps people living with chronic lung and heart conditions stay active after completing rehabilitation. By combining supervised exercise with peer support, the program is improving confidence, independence and quality of life, while helping participants make physical activity a sustainable part of managing their health and wellbeing.
Hearing Voices Support Groups provide a safe, peer-led space for people who hear voices or have related experiences. Operating in multiple Murrumbidgee communities, the groups help reduce isolation, build coping skills and foster recovery. Through peer support and lived experience leadership, the program is helping to reduce stigma and strengthen mental health support networks.
Jingellic Hub Women's and Men's High Tea Events brought rural community members together in a welcoming, non-clinical setting to promote mental health, wellbeing and social connection. Developed in response to local needs, the events encouraged conversations about self-care, resilience and help-seeking, helping to reduce stigma, strengthen community connections and support healthier lifestyles in the Jingellic district.
Riverina Ramblers is a community-led initiative bringing people together through regular walk-and-talk events, regional meet-ups and mental health education workshops in seven Riverina communities. Combining physical activity, social connection and mental health education, the program is helping to reduce isolation, strengthen community resilience and equip people with the confidence to support their own wellbeing and that of others.

Emerging Leader Award

Amelia Fitzgerald, centre, with MPHN Directors Paul Gianniotis and Christine Howard.

Amelia Fitzgerald, Peer Team Leader with the Wellways Universal Aftercare program, is helping strengthen the role of lived experience in healthcare. Through workforce mentoring, regional collaboration and advocacy, she has supported the integration of lived experience perspectives into service delivery while helping build a more connected, capable and sustainable workforce.
Alana Higgins, Practice and Business Development Manager at Nova Health Co, has helped establish innovative, patient-centred services for women and their families. By implementing new models of care, including specialised clinics for endometriosis, menopause and hyperemesis gravidarum, while fostering workforce development and multidisciplinary collaboration, she has strengthened access to coordinated healthcare and improved services for women.
Priscilla Jaya developed and delivered Brave Conversations, a grassroots suicide prevention initiative that equipped people in rural and regional communities with the skills and confidence to recognise suicide risk, have difficult conversations and connect others with support. Through training, mentoring and the development of Community Champions, the program strengthened mental health literacy and built community capacity for early intervention and suicide prevention.
Dr Jessica Wright, Principal GP and owner of Gundagai Medical Centre, has improved access to healthcare, grown the local medical workforce and supported the next generation of rural doctors. Through her commitment to clinical excellence, medical education and community leadership, she has helped build a sustainable general practice that supports both current and future healthcare needs in Gundagai.

Chair's Award for Distinguished Leadership, Governance and Service

Winner: Dr Jodi Culbert

Dr Jodi Culbert was recognised for her exceptional contribution to primary healthcare, rural medical education and community wellbeing across the Murrumbidgee region. A respected general practitioner, practice owner, supervisor and mentor, she has played a significant role in supporting the rural health workforce and improving access to high-quality healthcare services.

The award also recognised Dr Culbert's service to Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, including six years as Board Chair, and her enduring commitment to leadership, governance and strengthening primary healthcare outcomes throughout the region.

Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Awards recognise local healthcare champions

2026 award winners and finalists