Dedicated GP advocate wins AMA President’s Award
Professor Bernard Pearn-Rowe, a long-serving and dedicated GP, who has been a constant advocate for general practice for almost three decades, was recognised with one of the AMA’s highest awards, the President’s Award, at the AMA National Conference 2017 in Melbourne last week.
Professor Pearn-Rowe has juggled maintaining his solo GP practice in Perth with his active roles in AMA WA medical politics, including a term as AMA WA President, and his appointment as Foundation Professor of Clinical Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
“He understands from personal experience the challenges facing GPs every day, making him an informed and effective advocate,” AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon said.
“During his time as Convenor of the federal AMA Council of General Practice (CGP), he has contributed to key policy areas including the role of general practice in primary care, e-health, medical education and training, GP workforce, red tape reduction, health care homes, and the role of GPs in disaster situations.
“Prof Pearn-Rowe has been part of an AMA CGP that has emphasised the importance of quality general practice and the need for Governments to support this as part of a high quality, sustainable health care system.
“Amid his many commitments, Prof Pearn-Rowe has also found the time to pen a weekly medical column in The West Australian newspaper, making him an outstanding face of the AMA in WA.”
Other medical professionals honoured at this year’s Conference:
- Former AMA President, ‘Wild” Bill Glasson was honoured with the AMA Gold Medal for his exceptional service to the AMA, and his ongoing commitment to the eye health of Indigenous people;
- Former AMA Tasmania President, Adjunct Professor Tim Greenaway, and immediate past Federal AMA President, Professor Brian Owler, were added to the Roll of Fellows in recognition of the outstanding contribution each has made to both the AMA and the medical profession;
- Dr Denis Lennox received the AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award for his outstanding contribution to rural and remote health care in Queensland, and to training of rural doctors;
- A quiet achiever with a strong social conscience, Dr Genevieve Goulding was named the AMA Woman in Medicine for 2017;
- Dr Linny Phuong won the AMA Doctor in Training 2017 Award, for establishing a health promotion charity for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
- Eleanor Crighton was named the winner of the AMA Women’s Health Award 2017 for her commitment to Indigenous women’s health; and
- Second-year medical student James Chapman won the 2017 AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship.