RACGP award winners a 'testament to rural and remote general practice care'

An esteemed group of rural GPs were recognised at the Royal Australian College of GPs’ (RACGP) recent annual conference in Brisbane. 

Each year, Australia’s peak body for GPs honours GPs, registrars and practices that have distinguished themselves serving their communities through the state and national awards. This includes winners of the College’s rural awards. 

RACGP rural award winners are available for interview. 

College President Dr Michael Wright said it was an honour to congratulate the award winners.  

“These awards are about celebrating GPs and practice teams in rural and remote communities going that extra mile for their patients,” he said. 

“This is such an important opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable work they do every day. As the largest representative body for rural GPs, the RACGP is committed to strengthening rural and remote general practice care and supporting the next generation of GPs so that all patients, no matter their postcode, can receive high-quality care from a GP they know and trust. 

“These award winners are a testament to rural and remote general practice care, and I wish them all the best.” 

RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said the award winners show why GPs are so highly valued and respected in rural and remote communities across Australia. 

“These award winners are nothing short of inspiring,” he said. 

“This year’s inaugural award of Rural Generalist of the Year goes to Dr James McLeod. Dr McLeod exemplifies the true spirit of a rural generalist, continually developing the skills needed to meet the evolving needs of his community.  

“As a rural GP in Renmark for 10 years and a pillar of the local community, Dr McLeod has worked hard to rejuvenate the practice and help recruit new GPs. Not only that, but he has also been involved in outreach work to Lameroo and Pinnaroo to provide GP, emergency care and 24 hour on-call services in a remote area. 

“He is deeply embedded in local life through his clinical work, mentorship and active involvement in community projects, including engaging students in hands-on, place-based experiences that foster strong rural connections. 

“The Rural Registrar of the Year goes to Dr Stephanie Moore. She’s been selected in recognition of her outstanding commitment to rural general practice care, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and medical education. 

“Dr Moore has made a significant impact through the establishment of new clinical services, mentorship of peers and international graduates, and her leadership within the South Burnett community in southern Queensland.  

“In addition to undertaking advanced procedural training to address local healthcare needs, she has recently received her RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship and has now commenced training as a GP endoscopist.  

“This year’s Rural Medical Student of the Year award goes to Aleesha Scarffe in Heybridge, North West Tasmania. This is an award that goes to a rural student’s club member who submits an essay on issues vital to the future of rural general practice care.  

“Her well-crafted and insightful essay not only showed a strong commitment to rural healthcare, but also a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural communities. I’m confident that Ms Scarffe has also the makings of an outstanding future rural GP.  

“Last, but certainly not least, this year’s Rural Community Research Project of the Year goes to Dr Tim Robinson. This award goes to a GP who has devised an innovative project which directly contributes to healthcare improvements in a rural or remote general practice and positively impacted the local community. 

“Dr Robinson’s project, Providing preventative healthcare to Torres Strait Islander young people in a remote context, was a standout. This is an innovative community-led health project that achieved excellent outcomes for the Saibai community in the Torres Strait region. This dedication highlights his commitment to improving rural health through innovative and well-evidenced strategies.”  

~ENDS