Doctors, nurses, researchers, volunteers and support staff from across New South Wales were recognised at the 2025 NSW Health Awards in Sydney last night, celebrating the work that keeps the state’s health system thriving.
Held at the International Convention Centre, the ceremony brought together teams behind projects that are improving care, boosting accessibility and reshaping how communities experience health services. The event was less about competition and more about acknowledgement—a night to spotlight those whose everyday efforts often go unseen but make a lasting impact on patients’ lives.
Among the 15 award categories, standouts included a world-first study using 3D bioprinting to create skin from a patient’s own cells, offering new hope for burn and wound care, and an initiative helping people with intellectual disabilities complete blood tests outside hospitals, achieving an 84 per cent success rate.
Health Minister Ryan Park praised the 41 finalists for their “remarkable achievements in providing the very best care to the people of NSW”. He also highlighted the work of proud Dharug woman Nicole Winters, named Staff Member of the Year, for ensuring Aboriginal voices are embedded in culturally safe end-of-life care.
“It’s also fantastic to see those winners from rural and regional areas,” Park said. “They show the great care available to communities right across the state.”
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson commended the Hunter New England Local Health District for its Farmgate Support Program, which won the mental health services award. The program helps farmers and rural communities manage stress and emotional challenges. “More than 80 per cent of participants said their wellbeing improved thanks to the service,” Jackson noted. “That’s powerful.”
Medical Research Minister David Harris drew attention to the South Western Sydney Local Health District team, winners of the Health Research category, for developing a nurse-led Geriatric Oncology Model of Care. The program ensures older cancer patients receive tailored attention for age-related conditions often missed in traditional oncology pathways. “It’s work like this that helps position NSW as a world leader in medical research,” Harris said.
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM described the evening as a celebration of people enriching health “in millions of ways every day”. She presented the Secretary’s Award to The Bundaleer Project, which integrates sustainability with community rehabilitation and cultural connection for First Nations patients.
“All the nominees, finalists and winners reflect the incredible work our people do,” Pearce said. “From volunteers and clinical staff to those behind the scenes keeping the system running, they each contribute to the collective strength of NSW Health.”
From metropolitan hospitals to regional clinics, the awards reflected a shared spirit of service—one that ties innovation to compassion. Whether through cutting-edge research, community outreach or simple acts of kindness, this year’s winners showed that healthcare is as much about humanity as it is about science.
The full list of winners and finalists is available on the NSW Health website.
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