2011 AMA Roll of Fellows

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, announced the additions at the AMA National Conference 2011 in Brisbane.

AMA Fellowship formally recognises outstanding contribution and service to the AMA and to the medical profession.

Dr Pesce said that the six new Fellows were distinguished representatives of the profession.

“The new Fellows have all excelled in their medical careers, from general practice to research,” Dr Pesce said.

“At the same time, they have dedicated themselves to working for the AMA to improve conditions for doctors and to make the Australian health system work more effectively for patients and communities.”

The AMA welcomes the following new additions to the Roll of Fellows:

Dr Michael Graham Aizen MBBS BHS FRACGP FRACMA FRACRRM

Dr Michael Graham Aizen has been a member of the AMA since 1990 and a member of the Branch Council of AMA (Tasmania) since 2002. Dr Aizen served as president from 2004 to 2007 and was again elected president in April 2010.

He has been Tasmania’s area representative on Federal Council since 2007, a federal councillor since 2004, the Tasmanian nominee to the AMA Council of General Practice from 2004 to 2007, and senior vice president of AMA (Tasmania) from 2003 to 2004.

Dr Aizen was a consultant at Aspen Medical, Dili, East Timor, in November, 2006.

In the past six years, Dr Aizen has worked tirelessly for the AMA at a federal level, as well as leading the Tasmanian Branch on two occasions.

Dr Aizen has excelled in promoting the work of the AMA, its advocacy and policy development both to members and the general community through the media.

Dr Aizen is a most worthy candidate for admission to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

Dr Richard Fook Kiong Choong MB, BCh, BAO, (NUI): LRCSI & PI; FRACGP

Dr Richard Fook Kiong Choong graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1993 and joined the AMA in July of that year.  He was admitted as a fellow of the RACGP in 2003 and is practice principal of the Port Kennedy Medical Centre, WA.

Dr Choong has given outstanding service to the AMA.  In 2001, he commenced his ongoing involvement with the AMA Council of General Practice as a councillor and was elected to the Council’s Executive in 2003.  He was also the AMA representative on the Red Tape Task Force.

Dr Choong has served on the AMA (WA) Council since 2001 and was elected vice president in 2004 – serving in this position until 2008.  He served as chair of the AMA (WA) Council of General Practice from 2001 until 2006 and has been a member of the State Executive since 2001.

He has had a long association with the AMA as a GP representative on numerous councils, committees and taskforces and has served as a spokesperson for the Association on various general practice issues.  During this time, Dr Choong has maintained a focus on providing a strong voice for general practice.  He has fought tirelessly in the federal context to minimise the regulation, red tape and bureaucracy that restricts GP time spent on providing patient care, and he has been an outspoken advocate for adequate funding for general practice.  Dr Choong is recognised by his colleagues for his proactive approach to unity among GPs, which he believes is vital to having the voice of general practice heard in Canberra.

In addition to his contribution to the AMA, Dr Choong has assumed leadership roles with the RACGP and AGPAL – serving as Board member of both organisations and is the current Chair of AGPAL and has been so since 2006.  He has undertaken these roles in a spirit of collaboration as part of his ongoing commitment to delivering a better future for general practice.  He has taken a leadership role in the training of future GPs and has served as an examiner for the FRACGP.

In 2004, Dr Choong was a key member of the AMA delegation that took general practice concerns relating to MBS attendance items and indexation of GP rebates to federal government ministers.  At a very busy time in his private practice, he demonstrated outstanding commitment to representing GPs on these issues.

Dr Choong has proved himself a capable and respected spokesperson on behalf of the AMA on numerous issues including super clinics, GP workforce shortages, workers’ compensation, vaccinations, waiting lists, nurse practitioners and the importance of the GP/patient relationship – to name just a few.  He is responsive to media requests for a GP viewpoint, despite the demands of a busy outer metropolitan general practice.  In his many media appearances and statements, Dr Choong has enhanced the public status of the AMA as an organisation that is really working to improve primary health care for Australians.

Dr Choong has also represented the AMA on issues relating to rural general practice and has spoken on behalf of the Association in the media and at conferences and summits that have attempted to highlight the unique issues around rural GP shortages and other primary care issues.

Dr Choong is a most worthy candidate for admission to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

Professor Robert Anthony James Conyers MBBS, BSc(Hons), DPhil, MBL, FRCPA, FFSc, FAICD, AFRACMA, MAACB, MRACI

Professor Robert (Bob) Conyers graduated from the University of Sydney in 1968 and joined the New South Wales branch of the AMA in the same year.

Following graduation, Bob Conyers worked at Sydney Hospital as a resident medical officer, pathology registrar and, on secondment, as a medical registrar in Papua New Guinea. In the years 1971-1973, Bob completed his pathologist training as a registrar at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital.

He then received a Nuffield Medical Fellowship to research the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and undertake his doctorate studies in the Department of Biochemistry and Merton College at the University of Oxford, UK.

Upon his return to Australia in 1977, Bob Conyers became a Senior Consultant Pathologist and Head of the Metabolic Research Group at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide. His research studies focused on metabolic aspects of oxalate urolithiasis and cancer cachexia.

He moved to Victoria in 1988 where he served as Director of Biochemistry at the Alfred Hospital, Director of Pathology at North West Health Care Network (Royal Melbourne and Western Hospitals), and as Group Medical Director for Australasia at Gribbles Pathology.

He has taken an extremely active role in the AMA since joining the NSW and Victorian branches. He has served the Association as:

• Treasurer and a Director of AMA Victoria since 2006;
• Chair of the AMA Victoria Finance and Audit Committee since 2006;
• Member of the AMA Victoria Council (representative for the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)) 1995 – 2000 and 2006 to present;
• Member of AMA Victoria Services Board since 2000;
• Chair of AMA Victoria Solutions Plus Training Ltd Board since 2010; and
• Board sponsor of the AMA Victoria Peer Support Service since its inception in 2008.

Bob Conyers has had numerous professional, academic and government appointments. These include being a member of the RCPA Council (1993 – 2003, 2007-2009), serving variously as a member of the Executive, Senior Vice-President, and Chairman of the Pathology Professional Activities Committee. He was a member of the Victorian Ministerial Reference Group on Pathology and sat as an RCPA nominee on the Department of Health’s Pathology Advisory Committee, Pathology Services Table Committee and the Pathology Consultative Committee.

He is a member of the Council of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, chairs the Executive and Finance and Audit and Risk Management Committees, and is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University.

Over the years, Bob Conyers has dedicated his career to scientific research and to the service of the profession. His more recent interests have been in pathology management, medical administration and system-wide, structural changes in health care delivery in Australia.

Bob Conyers has been a long-time supporter and active member of the AMA, giving up much of his time to support AMA activities including his participation in ad hoc committees. Through his various roles, he has made an outstanding contribution to the organisation.

Professor Conyers is a most worthy candidate for admission to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

Dr David Game AO MB BS (Adelaide, 1949), KStJ, FRACGP, FRCGP ad eundem, Hon FHKCGP, MCFPC (Life)

Dr David Game has a long history of service to the AMA through his involvement with the AMA (South Australia) branch. He joined the Association in 1950 and has represented the AMA locally, nationally and internationally.

Dr Game has had a long and distinguished career in general practice, and has been a prominent and leading advocate for general practitioners and their patients. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1983 for his service to medicine, and was chairman of the South Australian branch of the Order of Australia Association from 2006-2009. He is also a former emeritus specialist and senior visiting medical practitioner at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and coordinator of general practice training at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital.

Dr Game was secretary and then president (1966-1967) of the Eastern Suburbs Medical Practitioners’ Association, a local medical association affiliated with AMA(SA), and he went on to become a member of the Branch Council of AMA(SA) (1971-1974). In addition to his contributions to the AMA, Dr Game has had a long involvement with the RACGP, serving as a council member, vice chairman, chairman, president and censor-in-chief. He also held the role of medical director of the South Australian Postgraduate Medical Education Association.

Dr Game has been a delegate to the AMA National Assembly (now known as the National Conference) at various times, representing both AMA(SA) and the RACGP. He was one of two AMA delegates to the World Medical Association meeting in Oslo in 1970. He was an AMA representative on the SA Council for the Ageing for more than 20 years, and he also served on the AMA(SA) Committee for the Care of the Aged and Disabled, and the AMA/RACGP Aged Care Review Committee. He was an AMA representative on the Florey Centenary Committee from 1997-1998.

Dr Game’s nomination by AMA(SA) to the influential Committee of Inquiry into Health Services in South Australia (the Bright Committee, 1970-72) reflects the high regard in which he is held by AMA(SA). Dr Game also served AMA(SA) as a member of the Board of AMA Services Pty Ltd (1976-1986) and chairman of the Board (1980-1986). When AMA(SA) was facing financial challenges, Dr Game and his wife, Dr Patricia Game, contributed to the AMA House Appeal.

Dr Game was very closely involved in establishing the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners and Family Physicians (Wonca), of which he was the original honorary secretary-treasurer, and later president. He was responsible for editing Wonca’s magazine until 2001.

Dr Game’s involvements with the RACGP and Wonca did not prevent him from continuing his service to the AMA. The demands on his time from these other commitments, as well as his busy general practice, make his continuing service to the AMA, both during his years in practice and after retirement, all the more laudable.

Time has not dimmed Dr Game’s willingness to contribute in a meaningful way to the activities and functions of the AMA. Since 2005, he has been chair of AMA(SA)’s Editorial Committee and editor of the branch’s magazine, medicSA. His support of medicSA has lent considerable credibility to the magazine, and has helped to cement its strong reputation and, by extension, the reputation and standing of the AMA in South Australia.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Dr Game was awarded the AMA(SA) President’s Award in 2006. His contributions to the AMA have not gained the same public laurels that would have attended an officebearer role, but have been outstanding and ongoing, and have involved considerable sacrifice over a very long period.

Dr Game is a most worthy candidate for admission to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

Dr Mason Stevenson MBBS (Mon), FRACGP

Dr Mason Stevenson is a general practitioner on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He emigrated from Edinburgh to Australia in 1974 and graduated from Monash University in 1983. Dr Stevenson moved with his family to Queensland in 1990.

He has been an active member of the Sunshine Coast Local Medical Association for many years, and is currently serving his fourth term as president. Dr Stevenson served as Queensland’s area representative on Federal Council for four years – a time spent mostly on the AMA Finance Committee and AMA Council of General Practice (AMACGP) – and was elected president-elect of AMA Queensland (AMAQ) in 2008-2009, serving as president the following year.

As a federal councillor and executive member of AMACGP (2008-2010), Dr Stevenson was an active participant in the development and updates of AMA GP policy position documents that continue to guide the AMACGP and Federal Council. He was also a regular and active participant in the monthly executive teleconferences dealing with semi-urgent matters at a time of substantive Federal Government GP reforms.

As treasurer and president of AMAQ, Dr Stevenson led the branch from deep indebtedness into a cash surplus status. His courageous, yet consistently courteous and dignified personal style, has been exemplary, promoting a positive image of the AMA as an advocate for doctors, patients and the community. A keen soccer player and sportsman, Dr Mason kicked some winning goals in his presidency at AMA Queensland.

One of his signature causes was the ‘War on Waste’ campaign, which led to strong public support as well as support from the membership. Dr Stevenson kept up the momentum, presenting considered, sensible solutions to the State government, despite much opposition from Queensland Health at the highest level. As president, Dr Stevenson directed the launch of AMAQ’s ‘Your Hospital’s health’ website, and was the first president in 10 years to host the Prime Minister at AMAQ.

Dr Stevenson’s devotion to the AMA while president shone through keenly as he continually sought to ensure that doctors and patients throughout Queensland received the best possible outcomes. He highlighted the plight of regional and remote medical practitioners, and relentlessly championed the rights of retired doctors, medical students and junior doctors. When the payroll debacle within Queensland Health erupted, Dr Stevenson spent countless hours consulting with the hierarchy of Queensland Health and its Minister in an effort to bring about a better system and a lasting solution.

Dr Stevenson has proved to be an inspirational, supportive and most encouraging mentor to doctors generally and particularly to doctors considering a more active role in the AMA. Improving membership and member participation in the AMA have been consistent themes visible in his efforts, and his contribution to the AMA at all levels has been exemplary.

Dr Stevenson is a most worthy candidate for admission to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

Dr Christopher Middleton MBBS, FRACP

Dr Christopher Middleton has been a member of the AMA since 1989 and a member of the Branch Council of AMA (Tasmania) since 2005.  Dr Middleton served as honorary medical secretary from 2005 to 2007. He was then president of the Tasmania Branch from 2008 to 2010.

Before this, Dr Middleton was chairman of the AMA Northern Division Tasmanian Branch from 2000 to 2008.

Subsequently, Dr Middleton served as Tasmania’s area representative on Federal Council.

Dr Middleton has made an enormous contribution to the organisation in Tasmania and consequently nationally, taking over as president at a time when significant effort was required to rebuild the financial and membership base of the organisation. After rejuvenating the state office, including the appointment of all staff, he oversaw the negotiations for a new industrial agreement for salaried doctors, visiting medical officers and rural medical officers during his term.

Without this effort, most AMA members believe we would have lost AMA House in Tasmania and confidence in the Branch would have declined to disastrous levels.

Dr Middleton’s knowledge and enthusiasm, along with his commitment, are invaluable to the AMA.

Dr Middleton is a most worthy candidate for admission to the AMA Roll of Fellows.

 

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27 May 2011

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