Honours for AMA Queensland members

AMA Queensland congratulates all Queensland doctors and healthcare workers who have received awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Past AMA Queensland President Dr Steve Hambleton and AMA Queensland Rural Health Medal recipient Dr Ewen McPhee have become Members in the Order of Australia (AM). Professor Ajay Rane OAM has been recognised with a Public Service Medal.

“Dr Hambleton is a state and national leader in the medical profession. He was AMA Queensland President in 2005-06 and went on to become the federal AMA President, and the chief clinical advisor to the Australian Digital Health Agency,” AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said.

“He has also been a major contributor to the AMA Queensland Foundation as a director for more than 13 years and as President for more than a decade.

“Above all, Steve is a GP who is dedicated to the care of his patients, the community, and the healthcare workforce.

“Dr McPhee has given more than three decades of outstanding service to rural and remote communities as a GP in Charleville and Emerald, and has had leadership roles with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Rural Doctors Association, both nationally and at the state level.

“In March 2020, he was involved in setting up the first rural GP-led respiratory clinic in Australia in response to the COVID pandemic. His commitment, leadership and ingenuity are inspirational.

“Prof Rane’s work as a surgeon and humanitarian has changed the lives of thousands of women in North Queensland and across the developing world.

“He is a champion for women’s reproductive rights and for the care of women and girls with urinary incontinence and pelvic dysfunction, particularly in remote Indigenous communities. For more than 25 years, he has treated women with significant childbirth injuries including fistula, which is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

“AMA Queensland also congratulates Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young, who has received the highest honour – Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) – and been inducted into the COVID Honour Roll.

“Dr Young was Queensland’s Chief Health Officer for 16 years and steered our state through COVID. She worked tirelessly to keep Queenslanders safe and we thank her for her dedication.”