Prestigious nursing accolade awarded to nurse pioneering new approach to wound care

Professor Michelle Barakat-Johnson has received the 2025 Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers for her pioneering work establishing the RPA Virtual Wound Care Command Centre. The nurse-led service combines virtual consultations, AI-powered wound imaging, remote monitoring and specialist support to improve access to wound care across urban, rural and remote communities. The award recognises her contribution to evidence-based nursing innovation and the development of Australia’s first hybrid specialist wound care model.