SA/NT top pharmacists recognised at PSA awards

The PSA South Australia and Northern Territory branch presented its 2025 Pharmacist Awards over the weekend, highlighting the outstanding achievements of pharmacists across a range of categories.

Presenting the awards in Adelaide, PSA SA/NT President Dr Manya Angley FPS said tonight’s recipients exemplify the dedication, innovation, and leadership that drive pharmacy forward.

‘PSA awards recognise outstanding pharmacists who go above and beyond to support their patients, their communities, and the profession,’ she said. ‘Their contributions make a real difference in the lives of their patients and strengthen the role pharmacists play in delivering quality healthcare.’

SA/NT Pharmacist of the Year Jaimee Anderson MPS

Providing diabetes education to clients attending her local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, as well as a General Practice in the remote hometown of Katherine, Ms Anderson is also a pharmacist vaccination trainer. She now specialises in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with youth onset and pregnancy-related type 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Simone Rossi MPS

Few pharmacists in Australia have had the widespread impact of Ms Rossi in providing evidence-based medicines information. She was the primary architect of the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) – the shared point of care resource for clinicians, as its editorial consultant, leading its production for over 30 years. From the template on how things were presented in the resource, to the use of the active rather than passive voice, to mentoring the editorial teams in the science of evidence-based information gathering, the AMH is truly a life’s work and passion. She has also contributed to the DVA’s Veterans’ MATES and National Prescribing Service (NPS) MedicineWise programs, including NPS News and NPS Radar and the Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association treatment manuals. Over this time, Simone has also been a clinical lecturer at the University of South Australia.

SA/NT Early Career Pharmacist of the Year Maria Cooper MPS

Researcher, part-time community pharmacist and tutor in pharmacy practice, dosage form design and pharmacotherapeutics at the University of South Australia, Ms Cooper has published articles on workplace stress during the pandemic – which led to the development of the world’s first ECP-dedicated peer support program. A speaker at PSA24, she earned the Outstanding Oral Presentation award.

SA/NT Intern Pharmacist of the Year Jessie Wattie MPS

Passionate about patient care, Ms Wattie has contributed to medication reviews and deprescribing at three aged care facilities with on-site pharmacists, and participated in multidisciplinary programs including the Country Health Connect Cardio Rehabilitation program and the Pain Collective. She upskilled in vaccination and mental health training and created a streamlined system to assist her pharmacist colleagues with documenting the distribution of nicotine vaping products with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

All-star student

University of South Australia student Imogen Bates was also awarded PSA’s most prestigious student award, the Gold Medal, awarded periodically after completing the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with the highest grade point average above 6.25. The award, which began in 1896, was given to Ms Bates who, as well as excelling academically, travelled to the Philippines as part of the New Colombo Plan.

‘Each of our award recipients demonstrates excellence in their area of practice and their achievements inspire us all to continue stepping up for our communities,’ Dr Angley said.

‘On behalf of PSA, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our award recipients. Their passion and commitment reflect the very best of our profession, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.’