Finalists announced for the 2026 Patient's Choice Awards

Patients Australia has today announced the finalists for the 2026 Patient's Choice Awards, recognising individuals and organisations for their work in building a more patient-centred, equitable and responsive health system.

The finalists include patient and carer advocates, frontline clinicians, hospitals and clinics, community pharmacists, digital health providers, researchers and not-for-profit organisations, each nominated by the patients, families, colleagues and communities who have experienced their work first-hand.

Winners will be revealed at the Patient's Choice Awards Gala on Thursday 27 August 2026 at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne. The evening brings together patients, health professionals and sector leaders to celebrate the people improving health outcomes and patient experiences across the country, and to support Patients Australia's national advocacy work.

Patients Australia is delighted to welcome Olympic champion Cathy Freeman to this year's Gala. Cathy will join Patients Australia's Health Reform Ambassador, Dr Nicholas Coatsworth, for a fireside chat about health and resilience.

Tickets are on sale now. Individual seats and full tables of ten are available, and previous galas have sold out. To secure your place, book here via Humanitix.

Lisa Robins, Chief Executive Officer of Patients Australia, said it has been heart warming hearing from the finalists.

“You cannot underestimate what it means to people who care deeply, and who deliver care, research or innovation exceptionally well, to feel seen. The joy people share with us when they learn they have been nominated, or that they are a finalist, is genuinely affirming. These awards exist to give that recognition back to them.” 

“We congratulate every finalist and look forward to celebrating with them in August.” 

2026 Finalists

Outstanding Specialist (sponsored by Consultmed)

Professor Jane Davies; Mr Stephen Luen; Dr Kade Collins; Dr Darshika Christie-David; Associate Professor Gehan Roberts

Outstanding Allied Health Professional (sponsored by RMIT University)

Amanda Stork; Winnie Wu; Fatima Al Amry; Dr Jennifer Alphonse; Cassandra Nielsen, Jenny Connolly and Emma Neale

Outstanding Cancer & Rare Disease Organisation (sponsored by Delta Advisory)

My Room Children's Cancer Charity; NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research; Inherited Cancers Australia; MPN Alliance Australia

Outstanding Chronic Disease Organisation (sponsored by AbbVie)

Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia; Crohn's and Colitis Australia; Healthy Bones Australia; Cystic Fibrosis Australia; Migraine Australia

Outstanding Clinic (sponsored by Smartgroup)

Menopause Symptoms After Cancer; KnG Extended Care / KnG Healthcare; Inner North Medical Centre; Watersprings Health Centre; Australian Cardiovascular Specialists

Outstanding Community Pharmacist (sponsored by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia)

Fatima Al Amry; Anna Theophilos; Iraq Doali; Nader Eltom; Shareef Ali

Outstanding Digital Health Organisation (sponsored by Telstra Health)

Smilo.ai; Biio Australia; Clinic Tech; Enlighten Me; Cub Care Urgent Pediatric Consults

Outstanding General Practitioner (sponsored by Arrotex)

Dr Don Yapa; Dr Kristin Soda; Dr William Hung; Dr Angela Kwong; Dr Tian Tu

Outstanding Hospital (sponsored by Wounds Australia)

Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital; Noosa Hospital; Shellanda Eller Matrescence Birthing Centre; Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre; Logan Public Hospital, Cardiology

Outstanding Nurse (sponsored by La Trobe University)

Liz Shevill; Kahlia Wolsley; Catherine Wilson; Helena Furdas; Francesca Leggott

Outstanding Patient Advocate (sponsored by Healthengine)

Agnes Nsofwa; Isla Foy; Melanie Funk; Amelia Ramsay; Kim Holley

Outstanding Carer Advocate (sponsored by Bupa)

Julie France; Lorraine Mutukisna

Outstanding Patient Campaign (sponsored by Pfizer)

Department of Haematology, St George Hospital; Chad Rieger, Sandoz; Heart Support Australia; Silicosis Support Hub; Migraine Australia

Outstanding Patient Innovation (sponsored by Medibank)

Jason Sotiris, Supertees; Debra Bland; Enlighten Me Shakes; HealthAbility's Community Champions; VeinTech

Outstanding Patient Research (sponsored by Novo Nordisk)

Rare Cancers Australia; FSHD Global Research Foundation; Professor Deborah Bateson and team, University of Sydney; Professor Helen Skouteris, Monash University; Professor Stephen Davis AO and Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO, University of Melbourne

Our partners

The 2026 Patient's Choice Awards are proudly supported by Chiesi as Title Sponsor, Law Partners as Entertainment Sponsor, and BiopharmaDispatch as Media Partner, alongside our category sponsors. We thank them, and our panel of judges, for making this program possible.

Secure your tickets: events.humanitix.com/the-patients-australia-awards-gala-2026

ENDS 

For further information or media requests: 

Lisa Robins 

CEO, Patients Australia 

media@patients.org.au 

About Patients Australia 

Patients Australia is a leading independent not-for-profit organisation championing the rights of patients across Australia. We’re here to ensure that patients’ voices are amplified and their needs prioritised within the healthcare system. Our organisation drives significant improvements in patient care, advocating for greater transparency, accessibility, and quality within Australia’s healthcare landscape. By actively engaging with health consumers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, we empower patients to create a more responsive and equitable healthcare system for all Australians.