2025 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards - Community Health Professional of the Year Award
Congratulations to the finalists for the Community Health Professional of the Year Award
Alexandra Naylor
Alexandra Naylor is a trailblazer in rural oral health, dedicating more than 20 years of clinical practice to improving dental care for our regions, 14 of those in Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields-Esperance region. A qualified dental therapist and hygienist with advanced clinical training, Alex established Goldfields Family Dental in 2019, the only practice in the area offering specialist anaesthetist services.
She also launched a mobile dental van to provide outreach care to schools and remote Indigenous communities. Her leadership extends to mentoring oral health professionals, speaking at leadership forums, and working with policymakers to improve dental care access. Through initiatives like free dental clinics for vulnerable populations, Alex’s impact has been transformative, making her a leader in rural health and an inspiration in business and healthcare.
Elizabeth Szczepańska
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Elizabeth Szczepańska is a psychologist with a remarkable 50-year career, including 16 years serving the Geraldton community. After 13 years at Centacare Family Services, she established her private practice, B Well Psychology, collaborating with local GPs to support clients with complex mental health challenges. Elizabeth has created transformative psychoeducational programs, such as ‘Straight Talk from the Inside’ for female prisoners and ‘Being a Better Man’ for men struggling with managing anger and addictions, blending neuroscience with practical strategies. Her workshops and community initiatives have positively impacted participants, with many turning their lives around. Over her five decades as a professional, Elizabeth has provided assessment and therapeutic support to over 10,000 people by designing personalized, psychological treatments tailored to patients’ individual needs and personal characteristics.
Beyond therapy, Elizabeth has advocated for victims of trauma, providing critical reports for the Redress Scheme and Crime and Compensation Tribunal, and has recently focused on supporting neurodivergent clients. Known for her wisdom, kindness, and dedication, Elizabeth’s work has left a profound legacy of healing and empowerment in the Midwest region.
Debra Collins
Debra Collins has dedicated more than 40 years to serving Morawa and surrounding communities as a nurse and St John Ambulance (SJA) volunteer. Known for her unwavering commitment and community spirit, Debra plays a vital role in hospital care and ambulance services across Morawa, Perenjori, Mullewa, and Three Springs.
She handles most SJA transfers, often assisting after night shifts, and has been instrumental in critical incidents, including a recent retrieval following a tragic motor vehicle accident. Her proactive approach extends to going to local schools to talk to students about career pathways in the health sector and providing snake bite awareness at the Morawa Agricultural College.
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