Wed 2 September 2026
Qld celebrates its 2026 Branch Award Winners
AdPha's Qld Branch has announced the winners of its 2026 Branch Awards, recognising outstanding pharmacists, technicians and teams whose work has strengthened patient care and advanced the profession across the state over the past year.
William Harris Achievement Award: Carla Scuderi (Lead&Mgmt, Neph.)
Carla Scuderi is an exceptional pharmacy leader whose influence spans clinical practice, research, education and professional leadership at state and national levels. Over the past 12 months, she has provided significant leadership in the development of the AdPha Nephrology Practice Standards, helping establish contemporary, evidence-based standards that will strengthen nephrology pharmacy practice across Australia.
Carla is recognised nationally for her expertise in renal medicine, quality use of medicines and workforce development. As Chair of the Queensland Statewide Renal Network, Chair of AdPha's Nephrology Leadership Committee, and a contributor to numerous national kidney health initiatives, she has had a substantial impact on pharmacy practice, patient care and professional standards.
Her recent completion of a PhD focused on improving patient-centred outcomes in kidney transplant recipients, combined with her receipt of a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, highlights her commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation, research and leadership. Carla's contribution to the profession, both within Queensland and nationally, makes her a highly deserving recipient of the William Harris Achievement Award.
Technician Award: Kimberley Sugg
Kimberley is recognised for her exceptional contribution to pharmacy practice across more than 25 years in community, aged care, hospital and correctional health settings. Her career reflects unwavering dedication to medicines management, patient safety and high‑quality pharmacy services. She has been celebrated through the 2025 Staff Excellence Award – Values in Action: High Performance and has contributed nationally as an Oral Presenter at the Medicines Management Conference, demonstrating her commitment to advancing safe and effective medication practices. Kimberley’s leadership in quality improvement and multidisciplinary collaboration has strengthened pharmacy processes and improved outcomes for patients, showcasing the vital role of pharmacy technicians in modern healthcare.
Alongside her operational excellence, she is deeply committed to developing the future pharmacy workforce. As a Hospital Pharmacy Educator with the Australian Vocational Academy, she mentors and trains emerging technicians, building capability, confidence and professionalism across the sector. Her involvement with the AdPha QLD Branch Committee further reflects her dedication to elevating the technician profession statewide. Kimberley’s extensive experience, leadership, advocacy and passion for education have made a lasting impact on individuals, services and the broader profession.
Team Innovation Award: Community Pharmacist-Delivered Vaccination Service, Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Team Leader: Kate Bennett, Clinical Improvement and Implementation Project Lead
The Community Pharmacist‑Delivered Vaccination Service at Sunshine Coast University Hospital is recognised for redefining how preventive healthcare can be delivered in Queensland. By bringing accredited community pharmacists into the hospital environment, the project created a convenient, patient‑centred model that offered opportunistic influenza, COVID‑19 and RSV vaccination to patients, visitors, carers and staff already accessing care. This innovative approach removed traditional barriers, improved access and demonstrated how community pharmacy and Queensland Health can work together to deliver safe, effective and highly accessible preventive services. The pilot achieved exceptional safety outcomes and outstanding patient satisfaction, with more than 94% of patients fully satisfied and over a quarter reporting they would not have been vaccinated without the clinic.
The project’s success was driven by strong multidisciplinary collaboration and pharmacist‑led service redesign. The evaluation showed clear improvements in vaccination uptake, strengthened partnerships between hospital and community pharmacy, and delivered a scalable model that other hospitals can readily adopt. The project is a practical blueprint for future hospital-based vaccination services and demonstrates how pharmacist-led innovation can improve both patient outcomes and health system performance.
Congratulations to all of this year's Qld Branch Award winners, and thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination.