Patients Australia Awards Gala 2025: A Night Honouring Everyday Australians and the Stories That Shape Healthcare

Melbourne, 31 July 2025 – The 2025 Patients Australia Awards Gala will bring together the nation’s most passionate patient advocates, health leaders, and changemakers for an evening that celebrates courage, leadership, and the power of lived experience to shape a better health system. 

The Gala will shine a spotlight on the 2025 Awards Nominees, recognising contributions which have driven real change across communities, health services, and the broader health system. These nominees are the heart of the Gala - individuals and groups whose advocacy and leadership have advanced healthcare experiences for others. 

The event will be hosted by Emily Rice, formerly Channel Nine’s Health Reporter, who has spent her career amplifying patient stories and driving national conversations about healthcare access and equity. 

One of the most anticipated moments of the evening will be the first in-person conversation between Gold Logie winner and patient carer advocate Samuel Johnson OAM and patient advocate Luan Lawrenson-Woods. In 2017, Luan’s life changed when she heard Samuel’s heartfelt public message urging women not to delay mammograms. Motivated by his words, she booked a mammogram that led to the early detection of breast cancer - a diagnosis she believes saved her life. 

The Gala will bring them together for the first time to reflect on that life-changing moment and the profound impact of patient-centred advocacy. 

The evening will also feature Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim, who will share his personal story of living with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disorder that has significantly affected his mobility. Dr Nicholas Coatsworth, one of Australia’s most respected health communicators, will join Michael on stage to explore his story of resilience - including his physical and mental battle to learn to walk again - and his advocacy to change the conversation around chronic conditions. 

Lisa Robins, CEO of Patients Australia, said the Gala is a national stage to celebrate the power of everyday people to lead change: 

“This is not just an awards night - it’s a celebration of the everyday Australians who stand up, speak out, and push the system to be better. Our nominees remind us that stories are what move us, challenge us, and inspire action. Patient voices must lead the way - and this Gala is about making sure they do.” 

The Gala is proudly supported by leading partners from across the health sector who share our commitment to building a more patient-centred, equitable, and compassionate healthcare system. We extend our sincere thanks to HealBetter as our headline partner, along with award sponsors: The Pharmacy Guild, Healthengine, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Medibank, Pfizer, BUPA, Law Partners, Novo Nordisk, AbbVie, Arrotex, AstraZeneca, and HCF for their generous support in making this celebration possible. 

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.