SJOG Chief Medical Officer Dr David McCoubrie said receiving the Health Service Provider (HSP) of the Year award was recognition of its People First culture and focus on valuing the experience of doctors in training (DiTs). The award recognises the HSP with the highest overall score for delivering quality training, support and workplace conditions in the 2025 AMA (WA) Hospital Health Check (HHC) survey. Almost 1,500 junior doctors participated this year – a new record.
“Being recognised as the Health Service Provider of the Year is particularly meaningful as it reflects the contributions and experience of our junior doctors, who have overwhelmingly recommended us as a great place to work,” Dr McCoubrie, a former AMA (WA) Vice President, said.
“We offer junior doctors outstanding opportunities to learn and be mentored in teams, while providing holistic, person-centered care at a leading healthcare organisation. SJOG offers both public and private services, delivering diverse clinical and research opportunities across our hospitals. Underpinning this is our highly supportive and values-driven culture,” he said.
Dr McCoubrie congratulated Dr Jemma Hogan, SJOG General Manager Medical Workforce and Education, who recently spearheaded a tutorial group for colleagues undertaking medical leadership studies at the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). Additionally, she worked with RACMA to reform its training leave policies to benefit those colleagues requiring parental leave or other training leave. Dr Hogan also facilitates leadership and governance education for junior doctors at SJOG Midland Hospital.
She was the AMA (WA) DiT Committee Co-Chair from 2020 to 2022, and also served on WA’s AMA Federal Council as DiT State Representative.
“After preparing for my RACMA fellowship exams, I wanted to give back to the medical community by creating a Western Australian-based tutorial group, which has enabled other trainees to connect and prepare with colleagues, gaining insights from their varied experiences; as otherwise their preparation would have been a far more solitary and isolating process.
“Separately, SJOG has been instrumental in supporting my unique, dual-training pathway in paediatrics and medical management; and for that I feel very grateful. I’ve seen firsthand the organisation’s values being lived by caregivers, and I’ve had amazing career opportunities during my time here,” Dr Hogan said.
Dr McCoubrie also congratulated Dr Maria Foundas, SJOG’s Consultant for Aged Care & Rehabilitation and a Senior Geriatrician at SJOG Midland Hospital, who is highly regarded by her colleagues for her leadership, compassion and commitment to junior doctor wellbeing. Dr Foundas also manages the Intern Wellbeing Program at SJOG Midland Hospital, focused on sharing concerns and problem-solving.
“I welcome the opportunity to shine a light on the important topic of junior doctor wellbeing. Being a doctor is an immense privilege, but it often comes with great responsibilities and challenges. When we build trusting relationships and openly share our experiences, we are enabled to support each other in a truly meaningful way.
“SJOG constantly strives to build and sustain a happy and healthy junior doctor workforce through the introduction of programs such as this one, facilitating conversations around the value of caring for each other, and lending practical organisational support,” said Dr Foundas.
AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath said the AMA (WA) Awards continue to evolve; and with two new awards they better reflect the WA healthcare landscape.
“The Health Service Provider of the Year underlines just how important our HHC has become as a snapshot of the state of the hospital system, and SJOG is a worthy winner with some outstanding results in the HHC,”
Dr Hoath said.
“Pramana Medical Centre has gained a fantastic reputation in a short time, and it is a privilege to be able to honour their work in challenging areas of health. It was exciting to give the President’s Award to Elizabeth Perron AM. Under her stewardship, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation continues the legacy of her late father, affecting the health outcomes of Western Australians for generations to come.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr Simon Towler and philanthropist Elizabeth Perron were among the honourees at the Australian Medical Association (WA) Awards. The awards were presented at MEDBALL on 1 November, at the Ritz-Carlton Perth, in front of more than 220 guests – including Health and Mental Health Hon Minister Meredith Hammat MLA, Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas MLA, and Director-General of the Department of Health Dr Shirley Bowen.