Katherine pharmacist Jaimee Anderson receives national honour
1 August 2025
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce Jaimee Anderson as the 2025 PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year, recognising her exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Katherine community.
Since returning to Katherine in 2010 as an early career pharmacist, Jaimee has become a cornerstone of the community. Her journey began as the Pharmacist in Charge (PIC) of one of Katherine’s two community pharmacies, where she quickly built a reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to both urban and remote populations.
Jaimee’s pioneering spirit led her to establish one of the Northern Territory’s first pharmacy-based vaccination services, and she went on to train over 40 pharmacist vaccinators in just 12 months, dramatically expanding access to immunisation across the region.
In 2019, Jaimee joined the Integrating Pharmacists into Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (IPAC) project, a nation-leading initiative delivered by PSA, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and James Cook University (JCU) embedding pharmacists in specialised primary health care teams to improve chronic disease care. It was here she identified a critical gap in diabetes care and responded by becoming a Credentialed Diabetes Educator (CDE).
Today, she serves as the Pharmacist CDE at Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, where she provides culturally safe, trauma-informed care to First Nations clients. Recognising the lack of private CDE services in the Big Rivers Region, Jaimee also began consulting at a local GP clinic ensuring that no one in her town is left without access to essential diabetes support. Her work has focused on youth-onset type 2 diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy among First Nations women, leading to the creation of a peer support group and a collaboration with Menzies School of Health Research to expand this model of care across the Territory.
Jaimee is currently undertaking Medication Management Review (MMR) and Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) training to further expand her services, and continues to advocate for subsidised continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) access for First Nations people with type 2 diabetes.
Her dedication to equitable healthcare, cultural safety, and community empowerment has made her a powerful advocate for pharmacists to make impactful contributions within ACCHOs and general practice – and a deserving recipient of this national honour.
In congratulating Ms Anderson, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said: “Jaimee’s work is a shining example of what pharmacists can achieve when they lead with heart, knowledge, and a deep connection to their community. Her impact in Katherine and beyond is truly inspiring.”
“Jaimee’s story reflects the very best of our profession. This recognition is very much deserved.
“Congratulations Jaimee, we cannot wait to see what you continue to achieve.”
PSA thanks Symbion for their continued support of the national PSA Excellence Awards.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
