A GP who transformed youth healthcare and another who provides on-call and after-hours cover for obstetrics and anaesthetics to support local maternity services have been recognised in the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.
The awards, held on March 14, are presented annually by Rural Health West in partnership with WA Country Health Service to highlight the exceptional achievements of Western Australia’s rural and remote health workforce.
This year’s recipients span nearly every region of Western Australia, highlighting the depth and breadth of expertise, commitment and compassion that underpin rural healthcare state-wide.
Dr Sarah Youngson (pictured above) was named Community Health Professional of the Year. The GP was recognised for transforming youth health in the Warren Blackwood region.
For more than a decade, she has delivered inclusive, holistic care that extends beyond the clinic.
Dr Youngson was involved in the creation of a program to streamline consultations and reduce waiting times, called the Kids Colab program, she founded Blackwood Youth Action and chairs the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Suicide Prevention Network.
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In 2024, she secured funding for a GP in Schools initiative at Manjimup Senior High School, improving access and reducing stigma around mental health and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
This year marks a milestone year for Dr Sarah Youngson, who was also a 20-year long service award recipient in February.
In other awards, Dr Richard Taylor was recognised as General Practitioner of the Year for his work advancing rural healthcare through leadership, teaching and advocacy.
He has served the Geraldton and Midwest communities for more than a decade. The procedural GP provides consistent on-call and after-hours cover for obstetrics and anaesthetics, responding to urgent and complex cases and supporting the stability of local maternity and surgical services.
Dr Jacinta Cover who is a general surgeon at Bunbury Regional Hospital and Co-Director and Head of Surgical Specialties for WACHS South West was named Specialist (non GP) of the Year.
Her work has driven major service improvements including implementing a 24/7 surgical registrar roster and leading the development of a new Acute Surgical Unit model to strengthen emergency surgical care for regional patients.
Rural Health West Chief Executive Professor Catherine Elliott said the awards highlighted the critical role rural health professionals play in community wellbeing.
“Their work strengthens communities, inspires colleagues, and highlights the vital role rural healthcare plays in building healthier, more connected regions across our state,” she said.
Full list of Award recipients:
Aboriginal Health Professional of the Year: Vernon Dann (Kimberley)
Allied Health Professional of the Year: Kathryn Braysich (Midwest)
Clinical Leader of the Year: Kim Tracey (South West)
Community Health Professional of the Year: Sarah Youngson (South West)
General Practitioner of the Year: Richard Taylor (Midwest)
Health Team of the Year: WACHS Older Person Complex Care Team (South West)
Nurse or Midwife of the Year: Jane Darlington (Kimberley)
Specialist (non-GP) of the Year: Jacinta Cover (South West)
Young Professional of the Year: Rosalie Gent (Goldfields)
WA Country Health Service Intern of the Year: Celia Wong (Midwest)
WA Country Health Service Resident Medical Officer of the Year: Catherine Daly (South West)
Chairs’ Award: WACHS Older Person Complex Care Team (South West)
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