The clinicians and healthcare teams who help make rural clinical placements meaningful for students have been celebrated at the University Centre for Rural Health’s 2026 Education Awards.
Held in Lismore last week, the annual awards recognise clinicians and teams who make an outstanding contribution to student learning during UCRH-supported clinical placements. Importantly, the recognition is driven by students, who nominate the educators and teams who have inspired, supported and challenged them throughout their placements.
In the medicine awards, Dr Mo Haywood and Dr Matthew Verdolini received Awards for Teaching Excellence. Students described Dr Haywood as an enthusiastic teacher who went above and beyond to create a supportive and rewarding placement, while Dr Verdolini was recognised for involving students in learning and consistently giving them additional support.
General Medicine at Lismore Base Hospital received the award for Best Supervision by a Department or General Practice (Dr Jane Rigg pictured above, accepted the award), with students highlighting its welcoming team environment and the breadth of learning opportunities available.
Dr Bettie Honey and Dr Matthew Collocott received Awards for Excellence in Enhancing the Student Experience. Both were recognised for going beyond formal teaching to support students, with Dr Honey particularly praised for her generosity with her time and commitment to ensuring students felt supported.
The allied health awards followed 56 student nominations across three categories, reflecting the contribution clinical educators make across the region.
Meagan Lines, Medical Imaging, and Joanne Cheong, Speech Pathology, received Awards for Excellence in Enhancing the Student Experience. Both were recognised for creating supportive placement environments and helping students build their confidence, skills and professional identity.
Awards for Teaching Excellence went to Sirina Fan, Physiotherapy, and Dr Deepti Jogal, Dentistry, while the Best Supervision by a Department or Organisation awards recognised Eric Belling and the Ballina CAMHS/CASEDS team, the Ballina Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy team, and Ian Watson, Andrew Moulding and the Lismore Base Hospital Social Work Department. E
The awards recognise not only excellent teaching, but the time, expertise and generosity local health professionals contribute to developing the next generation of rural health professionals.
Congratulations to all our 2026 Education Award recipients and nominees, and thank you for the role you play in supporting our students.
