2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards finalist: Vernon Dann
Wise. Approachable. A pillar of leadership, integrity and compassion. These are just a few of the words Vernon Dann’s colleagues used to describe our Aboriginal Mental Health Coordinator for the Kimberley.
It’s these same qualities – among many others – that have seen Vernon named a finalist in the category for Aboriginal Health Professional of the Year at the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.
Hosted by WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West, the awards celebrate the dedication, skills and ingenuity of outstanding health professionals.
“It means a lot to be nominated for this award; I feel very proud and honoured,” Vernon said.
“I’m really humbled because I know there’s a lot of health professionals that are well-deserving of an award like this.”
A proud Nyul Nyul man, Vernon has been an integral member of the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service (KMHDS) team since joining WA Country Health Service two decades ago.
Serving in his current role since 2013, he now leads a team of 17 Aboriginal mental health workers throughout the region.
“I was born and bred here in Broome, and I’m inspired by helping my people to help make a difference, and to continue doing that for many years to come,” Vernon said.
Committed to fostering professional development, Vernon continues to empower those under his mentorship to excel and lead.
A trusted cultural advisor to KMHDS and WA Country Health Service executives, he provides invaluable guidance that strengthens cultural safety, governance and patient outcomes.
His own achievements include spearheading the development of the Ask Us cultural awareness film, the KMHDS Cultural Governance Framework, and the MR23 Cultural Information Gathering Tool, initiatives now adopted statewide.
Vernon was also the recent winner of the Mental Health Employee Excellence category at the 2025 WA Mental Health Awards, with the judges describing him as a “trailblazer in culturally responsive care”.
WA Rural Health Excellence Awards winners will be announced at a gala ceremony during the WA Rural Health Conference on Saturday, 14 March 2026.