Dr Jo Scott-Jones has long been a quiet force in rural health, but his presentation delivery of the John McLeod Oration at the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference 2026 earlier this year revealed the depth of both his impact and his character. He offered a deeply personal and disarmingly honest reflection on his journey – sharing not only the successes, but the challenges, missteps and emotional toll of his personal experiences as a rural GP. It was a powerful moment of rare vulnerability that resonated strongly with those in the room, underscoring a leadership style grounded in humility, trust and genuine connection. For Jo, the rewards of rural medicine lie not in accolades, but in the relationships built and the sense of living a “good” life – one where he feels he has truly made a difference.
Jo didn’t set out chasing accolades – he was drawn to something far more human. “Serving a high-needs community and using all my clinical skills,” he says, reflecting on what first led him into rural medicine. “Literally from before the cradle to beyond the grave… supporting people in their grief.” That breadth of care, paired with the simple joy of living by the beach with his family, created a career and life rooted in purpose.
Years on, it’s that sense of connection that has kept him there. The rewards of rural general practice are found not in the big moments, but in the quiet, everyday experiences. It might be sitting with someone in a moment of need, sharing space so they feel understood. Or it might be something urgent and practical, such as treating an injury or steadying a crisis. Sometimes, it’s even bigger: helping to build a sustainable GP team or pushing for system-level change.
As a long-time advocate for rural health, Jo is focused on the foundations that make those moments possible — workforce, workload and funding. Progress has been made, he says, with rural community health recognised as a priority and the development of rural specific teams in the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora and in Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. “Nationally there are some tactical actions underway that I have been involved with, not least the development of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine at Waikato, and the development of community-based pathways for resident doctors in their pre-vocational training.” But there’s still imbalance. “It’s a really important piece of the puzzle to make the working conditions of rural GPs really attractive – which does need more funding. It is crazy that hospital-based specialists have such good working conditions compared to those of us working in the community,” he says plainly. Fixing that disparity is key to ensuring rural care thrives.
Beyond policy and practice, it’s the relationships that matter. One moment stands out when the kaumātua for his practice John Hata quietly gifted him his first pounamu. “A sign I was accepted into the community… a symbol of my connection to them and to this land.” It’s a memory that captures the essence of rural medicine — trust, built slowly and gently. “Trust is delicate,” he says. “I am not sure there is a clear formula for it to develop, but I am certain is starts in humility, listening, and being open.”
When asked what this work has taught him about people, and himself, he says he is still on a learning journey. He recalls attending a conference in the UK surrounded by rural doctors from Scotland and recognising a shared spirit among doctors from those remote communities. There was a clear “can-do attitude,” a willingness to connect, support and simply get things done. “I’m not sure people would say that about me,” he adds, “but I aspire to being ‘rural’ in that way.”
For those considering a career in rural medicine, his message is simple: “do it!” Despite the challenges – and the voices highlighting them – he says rural practice offers something rare. “Doctors love doing what they are doing, love being where they are and want to ensure the communities they serve have sustainable services.”
“Rural medical work provides you with meaningful work, that allows you to use all the skills you have and to develop more; it is extremely satisfying.” And it doesn’t hurt that it often comes with some of the most beautiful backdrops in the country.
Sustaining this life takes care, too. Jo finds balance in small, steady rituals such as reading novels, staying active, relearning the guitar, and singing – all anchored by the steady support of his family. These are the things that keep him grounded and present.
Showing up, listening, building trust and standing alongside patients is only part of the difference Jo is making. Through his advocacy, he is helping to shape a system that better supports rural communities, pushing for change from the ground up and the top down. It’s this combination of deep local connection and a willingness to speak up at a national level that is creating lasting, meaningful impact. This makes Jo a fitting and richly deserving recipient of the Local Legend Award.
Congratulations, Jo, on your Local Legend Award!
If you would like to nominate someone outstanding in the field of healthcare, you can nominate them here