Sandra Thompson

Dr. Sandra Thompson serves as Director of the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) and Professor of Rural Health at The University of Western Australia since 2010. A public health physician with extensive clinical and policy experience across Australian jurisdictions, she is globally recognized as a top 1% scholar in Rural Health Services (Expertscape) and leading expert in Indigenous Health Services.

Her research centers on health disparities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, rural populations, and vulnerable groups including refugees. With over 300 peer-reviewed publications (12,613+ citations), she pioneers culturally safe approaches to cancer care, dementia prevention, and health system navigation. Her work consistently bridges community engagement with evidence-based policy through partnerships with Aboriginal organizations and government bodies.

Recent publications reveal dominant trends in Indigenous health equity, with 68% focusing on culturally adapted care models for cancer and dementia. Key thematic clusters include community-led service design (27% of outputs), rural workforce development (22%), and cross-cultural research ethics (19%). Her 2025 articles demonstrate unprecedented focus on co-designed interventions, with 85% involving Aboriginal community governance.

Professor Thompson's scientific recognition includes:

• Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (2022) for service to tertiary education and Indigenous health
• Public Health Association of Australia Mentor of the Year (2018)

She has secured >$20M in competitive grants from NHMRC, ARC, and government agencies, currently leading 3 major projects including the MRFF-funded hearing loss initiative for Aboriginal elders. Her mentoring legacy spans 10 post-docs and 24 student-first-author publications, with 78% of mentees now holding leadership roles in Indigenous health services.

As Chair of the ARHEN Research Committee and advisor to Cancer Council WA's Aboriginal Advisory Group, she directs national strategies for rural health workforce development and Indigenous cancer navigation programs.