Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards 2022
The PHN is pleased to congratulate the winners of the Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards 2022.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the region’s primary care providers, our finalists and Award winners for making the evening a huge success.
The Awards brought together a diverse range of primary care providers, professionals, and practices from across the sector for a gala event on Friday 24 June at NEX, the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre.
From general practices and their after-hour care services to Rural Primary Health Services, mental health services, allied health providers, Aboriginal medical services, and residential aged care facilities, it was a night of celebrating innovation in healthcare.
Thank you to our First Nations artists for putting on such a magnificent art exhibition. It was a privilege to be able to support and showcase First Nations art as part of the Awards this year.
A special thank you to our Sponsors EBOS Healthcare and Honeysuckle Health. We could not have put on such a wonderful evening without your support.
And lastly, thank you to our commissioned services who showcased some of the amazing programs running in our region.
We look forward to celebrating the primary care providers across the region once again in 2023. Keep an eye out for updates on submissions open for next year!

The 2022 Award winners & finalists
The Primary Health Network is delighted with the high quality of nominations and the strong response we received this year across all categories.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists.
Patients First Award
Recognising practices, health centres and/or service provider who put people and communities first and demonstrate engagement strategies to support best practice outcomes for the centre, the community, and their patients.
- Coast and Country Primary Care
- Plena HealthCare
- Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service
- University of New England Medical Centre - WINNER
- Providence Medical Belmont
Closing the Gap Award
Awarding the practice, health centre and/or service provider who has demonstrated a deep understanding of the diversity of, and differences in, our communities to address health inequalities.
- Hunter Primary Care
- Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service - JOINT WINNER
- Peel Health Centre
- Elden Street Medical - JOINT WINNER
- Healing Works
Supporting Patients Through Technology Award
Recognising the practice, health centre and/or service provider that demonstrates leadership in the use of technology to support their patient cohort.
- The Moove & Groove Program - JOINT WINNER
- Next Practice Erina
- PharmOnline
- Hunter Primary Care - JOINT WINNER
Primary Care Innovation Award
Awarded to the practice, health centre and/or service provider that demonstrates outstanding innovation in primary care.
- Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
- ProCare Mental Health Services
- Coast and Country Primary Care: Health on the Streets - WINNER
- Plena Healthcare
- Life Medical Centre
Primary Care Leader Award (service provider & individual)
Recognising the service provider and individual that has best demonstrated innovation and leadership in primary care and/or the values of respect, innovation, accountability, integrity, cooperation, and recognition.
Service Provider:
- Optimum Intake Dieticians – Central Coast
- Rural Fit – Tamworth
- Healthwise – Ezidi Program – Armidale - WINNER
- Barton Lane – Tamworth
- Community Therapy – Newcastle
Individual
- Dr Joanne Woods Hunter GP Association
- Rhonda Lang, Associate Medical Practice
- Dr Simon Holliday, HealthHub Taree and Harrington - WINNER
- Dr Jenny May, Peel Health Care
Dedication to Service Award
A peer nominated award for an individual who has displayed outstanding dedication to providing quality primary care over many years, is well respected by peers and patients, and actively participates in the community and professional bodies.
These individuals now hold an honorary place in our regions' Primary Care Hall of Fame.
- Dr. Andrew Kwong
- Dr. Nicholas Boyde
- Dr. Terry Parkin
- Dr. Delma Mullins
- Dr. Richard Abbott
Patients First Award Finalists
Closing the Gap Award Finalists
Supporting Patients Through Technology Award Finalists
Primary Care Innovation Award Finalists
Primary Care Leader Award (service provider & individual) Finalists
Recognising the service provider and individual that has best demonstrated innovation and leadership in primary care and/or the values of respect, innovation, accountability, integrity, cooperation, and recognition.
Practice
- Barton Lane Practice (Tamworth)
- Rural Fit
- HealthWISE New England Northwest
- Community Therapy (Newcastle)
- Optimum Intake Dieticians
Individual
- Dr Joanne Wood - Hunter GP Association
- Rhonda Lang – Associate Medical Practice Moree
- Dr Jenny May – Peel Health Care
- Dr Simon Holliday – HealthHub Taree and Harrington
Dedication to Service Award Finalists
A peer nominated award for an individual who has displayed outstanding dedication to providing quality primary care over many years, is well respected by peers and patients, and actively participates in the community and professional bodies. These individuals will be awarded an honorary place in our regions Primary Care Hall of Fame.