RACGP welcomes 20 new specialist GPs in Tasmania

Australia’s leading general practice training college, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), has proudly welcomed 20 new specialist GPs at a Fellowship ceremony at the University of Tasmania Medical Science Precinct in Hobart. 

Among the newly recognised Fellows were five Rural Generalists (RGs) – GPs who undertake Additional Rural Skills Training in fields vital to regional and remote communities, such as anaesthesia and obstetrics.  

The College also congratulate this year’s state award winners. The RACGP’s annual awards acknowledge GPs, registrars, GP supervisors and practice teams who make an outstanding contribution to the health and wellbeing of their patients. This year’s winners: 

• GP of the Year: Dr Rosemary Ramsay 

• GP Supervisor of the Year: Dr Boris Tan 

• GP in Training of the year: Dr Luke Heathcote 

• General practice of the Year: Summerdale Medical Practice 

Dr Taylor Smith, Dr Grace Stearns and Dr Elisabeth Offringa received Tasmanian Faculty Examination medals in recognition of achieving the highest score across all three examinations on their path to Fellowship. Dr Aleesha Scarfe received the Rural Medical Student of the Year award, and four Fellows were awarded life membership with the College. 

RACGP Tasmania Chair Dr Toby Gardner said the future of general practice care in Tasmania was looking bright. 

“Welcome to all of our new Fellows, you’ve worked so hard to be in this position and you play such a vital role in our healthcare system caring for patients from all walks of life,” he said. 

“There were many inspiring and interesting life stories among the new Fellows. Husband and wife, Dr Louise Phillips and Dr Tim Mooney, both received life memberships. They Fellowed together in 1992 and were given RACGP ID’s 517556 and 517558 – they joked recently about how they’ve always wondered who the GP was who received the 517557 ID number.  
 
“Their daughter, Dr Caroline Mooney, as well as Tim, both received their Rural Generalist Fellowship. This is such positive news, it’s no surprise that GPs are so highly valued in rural and remote communities, and and I’m sure they’ll both continue going above and beyond for their patients. 

“Another highlight of the ceremony was Dr Lizzie Elliott delivering the inaugural Professor Peter Mudge Oration – a speech delivered annually in memory of Professor Mudge. He was a giant of general practice; not only holding the position of Chair of the RACGP Council for seven years but also receiving the Rose-Hunt Medal, the College's most prestigious honour for his remarkable contribution to the organisation. 

“It also fills me with pride to congratulate this year’s award winners; they’ve all gone above and beyond in caring for patients in their community. These awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the incredible work being done by GPs and practices teams across the state. 

“So, once again, congratulations to all of you and I have no doubt you will all continue to provide the same outstanding and valuable care to people from all walks of life.” 

New Fellows are available for interview requests. 

The winners from Tasmania have been shortlisted for the national RACGP Awards, which will be presented at the RACGP GP25 conference in Brisbane in November.  

~ENDS