Outstanding contributions to medicine celebrated at AMA (WA) Awards

Celebrating outstanding contributions to medicine, healthcare, doctors’ wellbeing and education, the awards were held at The Westin in Perth on October 31.

This year’s recipients include internationally recognised liver specialist Professor Gary Jeffrey who received the Hippocrates Award, and respected Aboriginal health leader Professor Rhonda Marriott AM who took home the President’s Award. 

Professor Jeffrey has led a career advancing liver care and transplantation in WA and has helped deliver world-class care through clinical leadership, research and teaching.

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath congratulated the award winners on their dedication to patients, colleagues and communities.

He said Professor Jeffrey represents “something very special about our profession”.

“His remarkable contribution to liver medicine, transplantation, research, teaching and patient care is measured over a career,” he said.

“It is the accumulation of knowledge, service and commitment that ultimately leaves medicine stronger for the generations that follow. 

“Each of this year’s award recipients demonstrates the extraordinary breadth of contribution being made to healthcare in Western Australia, from medical students and junior doctors at the beginning of their careers to people whose lifetime of service has left a lasting mark on our health system,” he said.

Professor Gary Jeffrey received this year's Hippocrates Award.

Professor Rhonda Marriott was awarded the President’s Award. A proud Nyikina woman, nurse, midwife and highly respected leader, Professor Marriot has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Her work across research, advocacy and partnership with communities has influenced health policy nationally. In 2025, she was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year in recognition of her contribution to health research and improving outcomes for First Nations communities.

“Professor Rhonda Marriott’s leadership in Aboriginal health, research and advocacy has helped improve the health and wellbeing of communities across Western Australia and beyond,” Dr Hoath said.

Professor Rhonda Marriott the the recipient of the President's Award.

Other award winners include Esther Santoso who took home Medical Student of the Year, and Dr Nicole Burger who was awarded Junior Doctor of the Year.

Dr Burger is a paediatric advanced trainee and Co-Chair of the AMA (WA) Doctors in Training Practice Group.

She has advocated for safer workplaces, fair rosters, appropriate overtime payments and improved professional development opportunities. She was recognised for her leadership, advocacy and commitment to supporting doctors in training across WA.

Esther Santoso was recognised for outstanding leadership and her commitment to medical education, student wellbeing and community service.

She is a Dr YES Coordinator and has helped lead health education programs for high school students across WA.

Dr Nicole Burger was named Junior Doctor of the Year.

Dr Vanessa Matabang took home the Doctors’ Health Champion of the Year award and Bullsbrook Medical Centre was named Practice of the Year.

The awards were attended by retiring Director General of Health Dr Shirley Bowen and Minister for Aged Care Simone McGurk. 

Dr Hoath said the awards recognise that the contribution doctors make extends beyond clinical care.

“It can mean advocating for colleagues, supporting doctors’ wellbeing, improving workplaces and training, strengthening medical education, or standing up for patients and communities.

“Whether you work in a tertiary public hospital, general practice, private medicine, a regional service, research, education or somewhere in between, you are part of a profession that carries enormous responsibility for the health of our community.”

Bullsbrook Medical Centre was named Practice of the Year.

The full list of award winners is available here.