WA Nurses, Midwives Honored for Exceptional Achievements
Western Australia’s outstanding nurses and midwives were celebrated last night at the 2025 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, recognising exceptional contributions to public, private and non-government health services.
The event highlighted the vital work of WA’s 47,000 nurses and midwives, showcasing achievements across 14 award categories and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honour Award.
The 2025 Nurse of the Year Award was presented to Rhiannon Villiers, a registered nurse at Homeless Healthcare, for her unwavering dedication to supporting vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness and complex social circumstances.
Rhiannon’s commitment to fostering better health outcomes and mentoring colleagues has made a profound impact within the healthcare sector.
Francine Ocampo, Graduate Registered Nurse at Royal Perth Hospital, was recognised as Graduate of the Year for her compassionate care and remarkable contributions to nursing research.
Despite being in the early stages of her career, Francine has collaborated with senior researchers and presented her findings internationally, leaving a lasting mark on the field.
The Co-HIVE Nursing Team won the Excellence in Person-Centred Care – Team Award for their pioneering work in geriatric care.
Their collaborative approach, which includes virtual healthcare services, has revolutionised the quality of care for older adults.
Adding to the distinction of the evening, Dr Jennifer Prentice, Nurse Consultant for the Wound Skin Ostomy Service at Hall & Prior Health and Aged Care Group, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Honour for her exceptional contributions to nursing and healthcare for nearly 50 years.
She pioneered research on pressure injury prevalence, a methodology still widely used 20 years later, and was a founding member and first president of the WA Wound Care Association, leading the national unification of wound management organisations in Australia.
Jennifer played a key role in the WoundsWest Project, which reduced hospital wound prevalence across WA and has led 22 research projects, published a book, co-authored three more, and contributed to more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Her commitment to mentorship and patient-centred care has inspired generations of healthcare professionals, making her a truly deserving recipient of this esteemed honour.
To see the full list of the 2025 winners visit www.wanmea.com.au
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“The WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contributions of our nurses and midwives.
“I congratulate all finalists and winners for their exceptional achievements, which make a profound difference in the lives of countless Western Australians.
“From regional communities to metropolitan centres, and from recent graduates to seasoned leaders, these awards highlight the remarkable talent and commitment across our healthcare system”.
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/WA-nurses-and-midwives-honoured-for-exceptional-achievements-20250510