Summary
Central Queensland Health is celebrating the news Dr Andrew Scott has been named Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year.
Dr Scott is a specialist Rural Generalist who delivers exceptional care across Central Queensland.
He has served as Clinical Director at Capricorn Coast Hospital since November last year, and prior to that was Director of Medical Services for the Central Highlands.
As a Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Dr Scott has advanced skills in surgery, endoscopy, and obstetrics, and is widely regarded as an exceptional clinician and leader in rural medicine.
He is also a respected educator, examiner and mentor who actively supports the next generation of rural generalists, ensuring strong skills and career pathways for rural doctors while also helping to build the health workforce in Central Queensland.
Dr Scott was recognised for his extraordinary dedication at the National Rural and Remote Health Awards in Canberra on Wednesday night. The awards, hosted by Rural Health Pro, are held each November as part of Rural Health Month.
He said being named 2025 Rural/Remote Health Professional of the Year was “an unexpected surprise and an incredible honour”.
“This award is a big win for the CQ team, and it was very generous that my colleagues, my peers, took the time to nominate me,” Dr Scott said.
“I really love my job and feel very privileged to provide care in many different settings such as emergency, primary care, obstetrics, endoscopy, and surgery.
“I think I've been so lucky to have support from so many people across my career. This is our award, owned by each and every one that has supported me across administration, nursing, fellow doctors, supervisors, mentors and executives. Each step of the journey we have remained focused on better care for our patients, innovating and being clinically courageous.”
Dr Scott was instrumental in bringing Endoscopist-Directed Nurse-Administered Propofol Sedation (EDNAPS) to Central Queensland.
“The Endoscopist-Directed Nurse-Administered Propofol Sedation model increases the capacity of our theatres to deliver great care, while freeing up our finite number of anaesthetists to be available for complex cases, reducing costs, and improving patient access to care by streamlining the process.
“It's one of my favourite days at work going to Rocky and doing endoscopist-directed sedation, providing endoscopy care while providing sedation in a safe way that patients like.”
In a typical week, Dr Scott also travels throughout Central Queensland to work in obstetrics, emergency care or on strategic projects to improve health outcomes.
“Timely and local access to procedural services like endoscopy, obstetric care, minor surgery can have incredible impacts on individual health outcomes and community health.”
Central Queensland Health Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said she was delighted Dr Scott was receiving well-deserved recognition.
“Dr Scott was also named Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Queensland Rural Generalist of the Year just last month,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to have this amazing individual in Central Queensland Health. I would like to thank Dr Scott for his tireless commitment to our communities.”