Ruby Schembri from Gilgandra Pharmacy in NSW has been named the 2025 MIMS / College Intern of the Year, recognised for her outstanding commitment to community health, education and preventative care.
Ruby was recognised for her exceptional contribution to improving health outcomes in regional Australia, demonstrating leadership, initiative and a strong dedication to community engagement throughout her intern year.
A standout element of Ruby’s award submission was her work delivering contraception and sexual health education to students in Years 9–12 at the local high school in Gilgandra, a regional community with one of the highest birth rates in Australia. Through targeted education and open engagement, Ruby helped improve health literacy among young people in an area where access to health education is critical.
In addition, Ruby ran a medication management seminar at the local hospital, supporting patients and healthcare professionals to improve medication safety and understanding. Her commitment to preventative health was further demonstrated through her role in increasing vaccination uptake by 20 per cent, delivering 1,058 vaccinations to a town of approximately 3,000 people.
Ruby’s work highlights the vital role community pharmacists play in regional areas, where accessibility, trust and local engagement are essential to improving health outcomes.
“Throughout university, I was often told that the intern year would be one of the toughest of my career – and that proved to be true,” Ruby said. “Balancing full‑time work and study was challenging, so my main goal was simply to get through the year. Winning MIMS / College Intern of the Year came as a completely unexpected bonus.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my community. Rural towns understand that young people may have to leave for opportunities, but they don’t always expect them to return. Being able to come back and give back to the community has been deeply fulfilling. This recognition feels like a win not just for me, but for my hometown of Gilgandra as well.”
As the 2025 MIMS / College Intern of the Year, Ruby received the opportunity to attend APP2026, providing exposure to the latest industry developments, innovative products and services, and valuable networking opportunities with pharmacy peers from across Australia. Ruby also received a cash prize courtesy of MIMS Australia to support her ongoing professional development.
Robert Best, CEO of MIMS, congratulated Ruby on her achievement.
“Ruby’s passion for rural healthcare and her commitment to supporting her local community through sexual health education, medication management seminars, increased vaccination uptake and ongoing local engagement are excellent qualities, with very impressive outcomes achieved,” Mr Best said.
“The MIMS / College Intern of the Year Award will help Ruby to further her pharmacy career and education. MIMS is committed to supporting young healthcare professionals like Ruby from all parts of the healthcare ecosystem, and it is our pleasure to continue to support this award. Interns like Ruby are the future of pharmacy across Australia.”
