AMA's Indigenous Health Trailblazer appointed OAM
AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today paid tribute to his friend and colleague, Dr Paul Bauert, who has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Dr Bauert is the current President of the AMA Northern Territory, a member of the Federal AMA Executive, Chair of the Federal AMA’s Public Health and Youth Health Committee, co-Chair of the Federal AMA Rural Medical Committee, and a member of the AMA’s Taskforce on Indigenous Health.
Dr Bauert is Director of Paediatrics at Royal Darwin Hospital and has worked in Darwin and visited Aboriginal communities for more than 25 years providing specialised health care and advice and leadership.
Dr Pesce said that Dr Bauert has worked tirelessly to improve Indigenous health throughout his professional career and made it his personal mission to ensure that the AMA at the Territory and Federal level constantly champions the cause of improving the health of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
“Paul’s passion for Indigenous Australians is well known to politicians of all persuasions in Darwin and Canberra,” Dr Pesce said.
“In true Territory style, Paul knows how to cut straight to the chase in political negotiations.
“He is a straight talker who speaks from the heart, but backed by a lifetime of experience working with and helping Australians with the poorest health and living conditions.
“Paul Bauert is a passionate trailblazer and pioneer on behalf of the most needy in our health system and our nation. He is a fitting recipient of the OAM.”
Dr Bauert’s passion for medicine and Indigenous health is almost matched by his passion for rugby union. He is a diehard fan of the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies and travels interstate and overseas to support his teams. He still displays a rare sidestep and fend (and singalong) when he turns out for the Darwin ‘Stray Cats’ rugby club.
The AMA will soon publish on its website a full list of AMA members who have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours.
26 January 2011
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