A high standard of healthcare can be found in Healesville, with five staff members across two clinics nominated as finalists for the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV)’s 2025 Victorian Rural Health Awards.
Dr Joel Monmolin, Dr Peter Rogers, Natasha Messfeldt and Nicole Stott from Healesville Medical Centre as well as Jennifer Charles from Get Well Clinic are all in the running for awards.
Ms Charles was nominated for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Healthcare Practice Management and said it is a huge validation of the time and effort she puts into the role.
“Practice management encompasses a huge variety and diversity of tasks with no two days ever being the same, implementing changes to the culture to be more positive and supported and ensuring all valued members of Get Well Clinic are heard, whilst ensuring the rules of Medicare and the RACGP guidelines are adhered to in our everyday practice,” she said.
“We work within two schools, facilitating two satellite clinics at Worawa Aboriginal College and Healesville High School, part of my role includes liaising behind the scenes to ensure these clinics run smoothly to ensure the students have our amazing doctors and nurses onsite.
Ms Charles has been at Get Well Clinic for two and a half years and has worked in nursing and admin roles for over 30 years, and is also involved in coordinating ongoing research tenders which support the medical team and patients and for visiting specialists to consult monthly at the clinic.
Ms Charles said it is very important to keep the clinic running smoothly, adhering to policies and procedures governed by outside agencies as well as the clinic, which change often.
“I oversee scheduling, front desk efficiency, and wait times—all of which impact patient satisfaction, if operations are disorganised, patients may experience delays, miscommunications, or billing errors, which can hurt the clinic’s wonderful reputation,” she said.
“Whether it’s a system outage, staff shortage, or patient complaint, the practice manager is often the first point of response,”
“It’s a privilege to serve as the practice manager of such an outstanding clinic and dedicated team.”
Ms Charles faces stiff competition from close to home, however, with Ms Stott from Healesville Medical Centre also up for the same award, having been in practice management for over 20 years.
Ms Stott is described as the ‘operational heartbeat’ of Healesville Medical Centre in her nomination, which also pointed out that her leadership, professionalism, and deep understanding of rural healthcare have played a pivotal role in sustaining and growing the practice through decades of change.
“Nicole’s strengths lie in her ability to manage complex day-to-day operations while fostering a supportive and collaborative team culture, she has consistently ensured that the clinic delivers high-quality, accessible care to the community—navigating evolving funding models, workforce shortages, and infrastructure upgrades with grace and precision,” it reads.
“Nicole is not only a manager but a mentor, she supports clinical and non-clinical staff, builds strong patient relationships, and upholds the values of patient-centred care in every decision she makes,”
“Her long-standing commitment has provided stability, continuity, and a strong foundation for innovation and growth in the practice.”
Dr Peter Rogers has been recognised for both 35 or more years of service and a nomination for Outstanding Contribution by a Rural GP or Rural Generalist.
Dr Rogers’ nomination states that he remains a cornerstone of local healthcare, providing trusted, compassionate, and high-quality care to generations of families, with his longstanding commitment to rural medicine reflected not only in his clinical excellence but also in his deep connection to the community he serves.
“In the earlier stages of his career, he played a vital role in delivering obstetric care locally, supporting countless women through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond—often in challenging rural conditions, his dedication during this time was instrumental in ensuring that local families had access to safe, skilled maternity care close to home,” it reads.
“Even after more than three decades of service, Dr Rogers continues to practise with humility, kindness, and an unwavering sense of purpose, his presence at Healesville Medical Centre today is a source of reassurance and continuity for the community, and a reminder of the impact a dedicated rural GP can have,”
“On behalf of the local community, colleagues, and the wider rural health sector, we offer our heartfelt thanks to Dr Peter Rogers, his ongoing contribution is a shining example of the vital role that long-serving rural practitioners play in strengthening the health and wellbeing of regional communities.”
Owner of Healesville Medical Centre Dr Joel Monmolin is also up for the same award.
Dr Monmolin’s nomination states that he is the driving force behind the revitalisation of Healesville Medical Centre.
“Dr Monmolin has introduced a wave of innovative, patient-focused services—including home-based sleep studies, iron infusion clinics and weight loss programs amongst others—tailored to meet the evolving needs of the local community,” it reads.
“A passionate advocate for men’s health, mental wellbeing, gut health, and preventive care, Dr Monmolin has also implemented the clinics first structured preventative health program in close coordination with dedicated nursing staff, expanding the clinic’s capacity to deliver proactive, chronic disease management and long-term care,”
“With a focus on holistic, evidence-based medicine, his leadership has strengthened the clinic’s role as a trusted fixture in the region for over 45 years, Dr Monmolin’s work is not only improving health outcomes—it is setting a benchmark for rural general practice, making him a strong candidate for recognition in the Outstanding Contribution by a Rural GP category.”
Ms Messfeldt is the last local finalist, nominated for Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Primary Care Nurse or Midwife, with over 20 years of experience across a post-operative hospital ward and general practice.
Ms Messfeldt’s nomination states that her calm demeanour, friendly communication style, and compassionate approach make her an invaluable member of the Healesville Medical Centre team.
“Tarsh has been instrumental in establishing the centre’s Preventative Health Program, focusing on early intervention and patient education to improve long-term health outcomes, her clinical expertise encompasses acute patient assessment, wound care, intravenous therapy, and chronic disease management,” it reads.
“As an Authorised Nurse Immuniser, she is particularly passionate about wound care—from acute injuries to complex ulcers—and is dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes through education and hands-on support,”
“Tarsh’s unwavering commitment to patient care, her leadership in preventive health initiatives, and her ability to connect with patients and families underscore her exceptional contribution to rural healthcare and she is also an ambassador for Cancer Council Victoria.”
The winners of the awards will be announced via an online event on Thursday 19 June held from 6pm to 7pm.
