Perth, Wednesday 20 May 2026 – SHQ Medical Director Dr Samantha Johnson has been recognised in the Intrapreneur category at the 2026 40under40 Awards for her leadership in expanding accessible, inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Dr Johnson was recognised earlier this month for driving innovative models of care at SHQ over the past decade, helping to reduce barriers, destigmatise services and improve health outcomes for communities across Western Australia.
Her work has delivered tangible benefits for both the community and the organisation, with a strong focus on accessibility, innovation and patient-centred care.
Dr Johnson developed and launched SHQ’s online, client-led sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service before expanding the model into community settings through pop-up testing at SHQ education sessions, university orientation days and other events. In 2025, this approach supported a partnership with ACON to deliver almost 50 cervical screening tests at Perth Pride Fair Day, with most participants overdue for screening or disengaged from routine care.
Dr Samantha Johnson, SHQ Medical Director, said: “Pop-up testing has allowed us to screen up to 30 times more clients per session than a traditional clinic model, without compromising quality. These approaches put people at the centre of care by increasing convenience, supporting autonomy and improving engagement for those who may otherwise face barriers to accessing services.”
In 2024, Dr Johnson also led SHQ’s gender-affirming service from concept to delivery. What began as a tightly controlled pilot for 10 clients has grown into a service providing more than 1,000 appointments each year and improving access to care for more than 200 people.
Looking ahead, Dr Johnson said she is committed to continuing to transform healthcare delivery by developing and scaling programs that reduce barriers to care and deliver better outcomes for the community.
“Mentoring emerging leaders will be critical to ensuring these initiatives are sustainable and adopted more broadly across the sector. Collaboration, creativity and empowerment will be central to achieving that.”
Dr Johnson was nominated by SHQ Chief Operating Officer Francisca Carrero-Baños, who said she is a passionate advocate for accessible and inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare.
“Dr Sam has made an invaluable contribution to expanding SHQ’s services for priority populations and dismantling stigma around sexual and reproductive health across Western Australia and beyond. Under her leadership, SHQ has grown from a single metropolitan site with 15 clinicians to more than 40 clinicians working across multiple metropolitan and regional locations, including outreach partnerships with Derbarl Yerrigan, South Coastal Health Service, Allambee and Nintirri.
We are incredibly proud of what she has achieved over the past decade and look forward to continuing to support her as we expand access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for those who need it most.”
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