After working across remote Northern Territory communities, and a Sexual Health NGO in South Australia and for remote NT, Dr Sophia Scrimgeour has developed a passion for improving the systems that sit behind patient care.
The Adelaide-based Rural Generalist has been selected to attend the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's (ACRRM) Emerging Leaders Conference in Adelaide from 18–20 October 2026.
Dr Scrimgeour says some of the biggest opportunities to improve healthcare outcomes come from identifying challenges early and creating systems that support both patients and healthcare workers.
"My aim is to learn to identify and analyse trends so we can plan and implement changes proactively, given the ever-evolving healthcare needs of our communities," Dr Scrimgeour says.
Dr Scrimgeour completed her Rural Generalist training across the Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem regions of the Northern Territory before working in remote Australia and overseas with Médecins Sans Frontières.
She now divides her time between the Northern Territory health service and Adelaide sexual health service SHINE SA, combining clinical care with work focused on service improvement and healthcare systems.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Dr Scrimgeour's commitment to workforce sustainability and health system improvement reflects the broader contribution Rural Generalists make across the health sector.