Congratulations to RFDS Broome's Dr Tanya Ronaldson who has been named a finalist in the 2021 WA Rural Health West Awards 'GP of the Year' category.
The award nomination recognises Tanya's (pictured right) dedication to delivering patient-centric care to ensure the healthcare needs of people living in remote communities are addressed.
In particular, her work establishing culturally sensitive and safe spaces for women to access healthcare in remote Kimberley communities was highlighted.
An experienced GP and retrieval doctor, Tanya has cared for people living in communities across the Midwest, Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA since commencing with the RFDS in 2012.
RFDS Clinical Lead of GP Services Dr John Fisher said Tanya's incredible work ethic, constant drive towards quality improvement and longevity of rural service makes her highly deserving of the award.
"Tanya has been involved in driving many projects involving our clinics, particularly in the Fitzroy Valley region where she was instrumental in setting up gender-specific clinics which have proved to be a great success," Dr Fisher said.
"She is passionate about women's health, remote healthcare and aboriginal health and has been a great ambassador for the RFDS in the Kimberley region and has made service improvements at each location she has worked in including our Broome, Port Hedland and Meekatharra bases."
We wish Tanya the best of luck in the upcoming awards!
Editor's Notes
- Last year, the Flying Doctor in WA retrieved 1,870 patients from the Kimberley, making it the busiest region across WA.
- The RFDS also provided primary healthcare to patients in the Kimberley region through its GP, dental and nurse clinics and provided transport for non-RFDS practitioners to help them reach their patients in very remote areas.
- The RFDS delivers free clinics at Mount House, Drysdale and Doongan Stations, Mornington Wilderness Camp on the Gibb River Road and in the Aboriginal communities of Djugerari, Koorabye, Kadjina and Yakanarra.
- The RFDS distributes 126 medical chests across the Kimberley region to ensure those residing in isolated locations have access to an extensive range of pharmaceutical and medical supplies which assist in the first-aid treatment of patients and in the preparation of evacuations from remote locations.
