Doctors honoured with AMA Awards

At the National Conference the AMA President awarded its highest honour, the AMA Gold Medal, to Professor Emily banks, and admitted six members to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

Professor Banks received the Gold Medal for outstanding service to medicine, including internationally recognised, ground-breaking research establishing the significant harms of e-cigarettes. Dr Khorshid said Professor Banks had made exceptional contributions to medicine and public health throughout her career. You can read more about her work in the face of strong opposition from the tobacco industry here.  

Dr Khorshid bestowed a number of honours and awards on people for their outstanding service to the medical profession. The President’s Award – Dr Khorshid’s personal choice, went to two past AMA Presidents, Professor Keryn Phelps and Professor Rosanna Capolingua and the out-going Vice President Dr Chris Moy. Read why there were chosen.

Other awards and recipients

Dr Kym Jenkins, from Victoria received the Women in Medical Leadership Award for her outstanding dedication and commitment to advancing women leadership, quality care and contributing to medical politics. Read how her work resulted in many thousands of doctors receiving support.

The Diversity in Medicine Award went to Canberra-based Orthopaedic Hand & Wrist Surgeon, Dr Jennifer Green for her outstanding contribution to promoting and implementing equity, inclusion, and diversity initiatives within the medical profession and workplace. Read more about Dr Green’s achievements.

Western Sydney doctor, Dr Kean-Seng Lim received the Excellence in Health Care Award, for his passion in embracing innovation in healthcare. Read how Dr Lim’s innovation has been used by multiple providers to monitor patients remotely during the pandemic.

The Women’s Health Award went to Sydney psychiatry trainee doctor, Dr Ashna Basu, for her passion and dedication to gender equity, mental health, and the social determinants of health. Read more on this champion for diversity of representation in all forms here.

Nepean hospital doctor, Dr Sanjay Hettige received the AMA DiT of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to leadership and advocacy.

Six colleagues were also admitted as Fellows following consideration by the Federal Council. The AMA Roll of Fellows recognises outstanding contributions to the profession of medicine from AMA members.

They are:

Associate Professor Julian Rait OA for his service to the AMA, most recently as Chair of the AMA Federal Council since August 2020 and extended service as President of AMA Victoria, leading Victoria’s advocacy during COVID-19.  

Dr Sarah Whitelaw immediate past Federal Council Emergency Medicine Representative. For her significant advocacy during COVID-19 on PPE, healthcare worker conditions, Hotel Quarantine, public hospital pressures and whole-of-system reform to deal with unprecedented pressures on the health system Australia-wide.

Dr Ian Kamerman a rural GP who has dedicated his professional career to improving the provision of healthcare in regional and rural NSW and is a passionate advocate for equity of healthcare access. For his long-standing service to patient care and commitment to medical teaching during his 38-year membership of the AMA.

Dr Roger Sexton for his contribution to the health and well-being of medical students and medical practitioner colleagues. As medical director of Doctors’ Health SA since 2010, he ensured doctors in South Australia have access to 24/7 support, GP clinical services and education. He regularly speaks on doctors’ health matters.

Dr Andrew Mulcahy for his 33-year AMA membership and his significant contribution to Federal Council and to the Medical Profession through his many roles in medical regulation. He is the immediate past Chair of the Tasmanian Medical Board and practitioner member of the National Board.

Professor Stephen Robson for his outstanding service, leadership and contribution to the AMA as a public advocate, office bearer and committee member.  

The 2022 AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarships were presented by Dr Khorshid to Cameron Howard and Malissa Hodgson. See separate story in this edition.