19/10/2026
Congratulations to Dr Heath Darrant, who has been awarded the 2026 JMO of the Year Award, in recognition of his commitment to patients, colleagues, medical education and passion for rural medicine.
Dr Darrant founded the Little Lenses Project providing free eye screening, optometrist referrals and education for rural primary school students. The program was designed to increase knowledge and improve access to eye care within the local community.
He helped organise and run the Wagga Eye Bootcamp, a practical day long course for medical students and JMOs to help expand their ophthalmology skills. He is now in the process of organising an ENT Bootcamp for medical students and JMOs.
Dr Darrant is a conjoint lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Charles Sturt University, mentoring final year medical students, and participating on the UNSW rural pathway interview panel.
He is a natural leader who is always willing to help his colleagues and is passionate about rural medicine.
Read more about Dr Darrant’s achievements here: https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/heti-news-and-events/news/2026-prevocational-award-winners-announced
Murrumbidgee Local Health District