Top doctors win AMA Queensland awards
Former Army doctor and Brisbane GP Dr Bob Brown has been awarded AMA Queensland Gold Medal, the organisation’s highest award for outstanding service to the community and the practice of medicine.
Dr Brown was one of three award recipients announced at the Dinner for the Profession, AMA Queensland’s annual black-tie event in Brisbane on 15 July.
Dr Brown has given years of service to medical associations at the local, state and national level. He is a Past President of both AMA Queensland and local medical associations on Brisbane’s northside.
He is a practising GP in Taigum, with special interests in children’s health and diabetes, and enjoys being able to help all of his patients keep in good health, regardless of their age or medical requirements.
AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said Dr Brown wholeheartedly deserved AMA Queensland’s Gold Medal.
“Dr Brown has been a stalwart of general practice in Brisbane and has advocated for GPs at all levels and I take great pleasure in awarding him the gold medal,” Dr Boulton said.
Rural Health Medal
Mackay paediatrician Dr Michael Williams has been awarded the AMA Queensland Rural Health Medal for providing outstanding health and advocacy services to their rural community.
Dr Williams has been a pioneer in delivering paediatric services for rural patients in the Mackay region through outreach visits and telehealth consults.
He established his private telehealth service for rural children in Queensland in 2016, delivering 60 to 70 consultations a month.
Dr Williams has also worked in the UK, Saudi Arabia and Canada, and is an Associate Professor with James Cook University.
“Dr Williams has served the Mackay and surrounding regions for more than 40 years and was well ahead of the curve in telehealth services,” Dr Boulton said.
Excellence in Health Care Medal
The AMA Queensland Excellence in Health Care Medal has been awarded to Professor Cindy Shannon AM, a First Nations woman and Emeritus Professor who has led major reforms in Indigenous health.
Prof Shannon is a descendant of the Ngugi people from Moreton Bay and is one of Australia’s foremost higher education Indigenous leaders.
She is the first Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) at Griffith University, where she works alongside colleagues to enable all aspects of the university’s First Nations engagement.
Prof Shannon led the development and implementation of Australia’s first degree level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.
She also played a key role in supporting the establishment of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, which improves the health of First Nations people across South-East Queensland.
She was recognised as a Queensland Great in 2017 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2020 for her contributions to Indigenous health and medical education.
“Prof Shannon has made a massive contribution and lasting legacy to Indigenous health in Queensland and we are very proud to award her with the Excellence in Health Care medal,” Dr Boulton said.