2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards finalist: Dr Lewis Weeda

Roving Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Lewis Weeda has been named among 17 WA Country Health Service finalists in the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

After spending 2025 working at Broome Health Campus, Kununurra District Hospital, Beagle Bay Health Centre and communities in the Fitzroy Valley, Dr Weeda – who’s now based at Albany Health Campus – is in the running for the WA Country Health Service RMO of the Year award.

A keen fisherman, camper and explorer, Dr Weeda made the most of the outdoor lifestyle when he wasn’t soaking up the many opportunities for professional growth.

Despite boasting a list of accolades longer than his arm, he said it was a surprise to be named a finalist in the awards, which celebrate the dedication, compassion, skills and ingenuity of outstanding health professionals throughout rural and remote WA.

“I was fortunate to work with great teams throughout the Kimberley.

“I focused on working hard and learning as much as I could,” Dr Weeda said.

“I spent some time when I was younger in the Kimberley, building relationships with Mowanjum Community with the volunteer organisation the Boab Network.

“I was involved with Mowanjum for approximately seven years and it was a big reason to return to the Kimberley.”

Dr Weeda grew up in Perth and studied medicine at The University of Western Australia.

Honing his skills in WA’s far north, it wasn’t long before he was recognised for his dedication to education, patient outcomes, research and quality improvement projects.

“I enjoy building clinic skills and I think rural medicine offers a unique opportunity to do so,” Dr Weeda said.

“I’m starting Basic Physician Training with WA Country Health Service this year and am looking forward to a future career as a Physician.”

Dr Weeda’s involvement in various international conferences, journal publications and student teaching reflect his commitment to ongoing professional development and have fuelled a passion for adult internal medicine.

“I’ve received a few awards for my previous research work, including the 2024 Royal Australasian College of Physicians John Snow Scholarship,” he said.

“In 2025, I presented a poster at the World Congress of Gastroenterology Australian Gastroenterology Week, and as part of my drive to become a Physician, I sat and passed the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Basic Pathological Sciences Examination.” 

The WA Rural Health Excellence Awards are hosted by WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West.

Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony during the WA Rural Health Conference on Saturday, 14 March 2026.