AMA President's Award

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, tonight presented awards to two leading doctors in recognition of the outstanding contribution they have made to the AMA and the broader medical profession through years of dedicated service.

Chair of the AMA Council of General Practice, Dr Brian Morton, and outgoing AMA Treasurer, Dr Peter Ford, were presented with the AMA President’s Award in a ceremony at the AMA National Conference in Sydney.

Dr Hambleton said both Dr Morton and Dr Ford were dedicated and tireless doctors who championed the interests of their patients and medical colleagues, and had made an enormous contribution to advancing the objectives of the AMA.

“One of the privileges of being President of the AMA is the ability to make special recognition of the great work undertaken by AMA members in the service of their patients, their colleagues and the broader community,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Dr Morton and Dr Ford are both worthy recipients of the President’s Award.

“The contribution they have made, and continue to make, is enormous.”

Dr Brian Morton

In addition to the respect he has gained from patients and colleagues alike as a GP of more than 30 years’ experience, Dr Morton has taken a leadership role within the AMA and the medical profession.

He was AMA New South Wales President between 2008 and 2010.  He is an AMA Fellow.

He is currently Chair of the AMA Council of General Practice and he has led the AMACGP as it pushes policy boundaries and challenges Government cuts and constraints.

Brian has represented the AMA on many external committees, including the PSR since its inception. 

Brian has been a leader in the AMA’s efforts to promote immunisation.

He is a very capable media performer and takes on a lot of interviews on GP issues when the President is not available – and he has played a similar role with previous Presidents.

Throughout his service he has been an effective and unstinting advocate for the interests of patients, his professional colleagues and the broader community.

Dr Peter Ford

Peter has earned deep respect and appreciation through decades of service to both his patients and the medical profession.

At this conference he is stepping down as Federal Treasurer.

He has made an extraordinarily valuable contribution to the smooth operation and robust financial health of the AMA through more than three years in this role.

But his contribution has stemmed far beyond his service in this demanding position.

Peter is a jack-of-all-trades in the AMA.  He has served many years on Federal Council, Executive Council, and the AMACGP.  He has served on the AMPCo Board.

He has served as Chair of the Ethics and Medico-Legal Committee, was a member of the Taskforce on Indigenous Health, and is currently Chair of the AMA Committee for Healthy Ageing.

He is also a former President of AMA SA.  He is an AMA Fellow.

He has helped develop and guide AMA policy in many areas critical to improve health care, particularly for some of the community’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged members.

Medical care for older Australians has been one of his passions.

He has been one of the driving forces for governance reform in the AMA.

24 May 2013

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                            Kirsty Waterford                  02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

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