Late doctor honoured with AMA Queensland Gold Medal

Dr Sinclair’s son, Dr George Lindley-Jones, accepted the award on his mother’s behalf at the AMA Queensland Dinner for the Profession.

“Dr Sinclair was a true force of nature, a person of exceptional intelligence and empathy,” AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said.

“She was not afraid to speak out on behalf of patients or the profession. She advocated fiercely against the Newman Government’s doctor contracts in 2014, supported by her husband Dr Chris Davis, a past AMA Queensland President and – at the time – Assistant Health Minister.

“She advocated for retention of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Herston despite anonymous threats and intimidation.

“She was generous with her time and her knowledge. She helped lead the development of a statewide clinic for cerebral palsy health services, and set up a national clinic for the rare degenerative disease Ataxia Telangiectasia.

“She often hosted her patients and their families for equine therapy at her farm at Mt Mee, her haven where she would wind down, relax, and think about her patients.

“Her death in a tractor accident on her farm in October 2021 was a tragedy in the truest sense of the word. She had so much more to contribute – she is truly irreplaceable.

“Kate is a most worthy recipient of the AMA Queensland Gold Medal for her service to the AMA, the profession and the community.”

Watch part of son Dr George Lindley-Jones' touching acceptance speech.

Three other awards were made at the dinner.

Excellence in Health Care Medal

Brisbane GP and medical leader Dr Jennifer Schafer was awarded the Excellence in Health Care Medal for her significant contribution to improving healthcare.

“Dr Schafer is well-known and highly regarded for her work as a doctor, researcher, advocate and educator who continues to create positive change for doctors and the community through her role as Medical Director for Doctors’ Health in Queensland (DHQ),” Dr Boulton said.

“In addition to being a GP for 35 years, she has mentored numerous generations of doctors and is the current Patron of the UQ Medical Society.

“Her work in health promotion includes working in broadcast media as a medical reporter for the Nine Network and associated newspapers from the 1990s to 2005, including a live cross on national television from her hospital room at RBWH with her newborn baby in her arms.

“She is a passionate advocate for doctors’ mental health and wellbeing, and was MC at last year’s Queensland Health Mental Health and Wellness Forum, an initiative advocated for by AMA Queensland, which brought together key stakeholders to workshop solutions to the stresses affecting healthcare workers in our public hospitals.

“Her legacy is already immense and the effects of her guidance and mentorship on others will have long-lasting positive effects for our community.”

Watch part of Dr Schafer's acceptance speech.

Rural Health Medal

Long-time Roma GP and medical educator Dr Rosemary Geraghty was awarded the Rural Health Medal for outstanding health and advocacy services to rural communities.

“Dr Geraghty has worked in and around Roma since 1988 when she moved there to repay her rural scholarship obligations,” Dr Boulton said.

“She worked at Roma Hospital and found herself providing anaesthetics and obstetrics services as a very junior doctor, as well as inpatient and emergency care.

“She worked in the United Kingdom for a year and returned to Brisbane in 1991. She got engaged that year to a teacher who was transferred to Roma, and she started as a GP in private practice in Roma later that year.

“Dr Geraghty continued to work in private practice while also providing inpatient and emergency care at Roma Hospital. Along the way, she built and opened the Maranoa Medical Centre and raised four children, one of whom is an intern at Rockhampton Hospital with aspirations of becoming a rural generalist.

“She has taught and supervised multiple doctors over the decades, training GP registrars and sponsoring and supervising international medical graduates (IMGs).

“She provided continuity of service to her patients in Maranoa for 30 years, something that is now becoming a very scarce commodity. As an AMA member of 32 years, Dr Geraghty is a worthy winner of the Rural Health Medal.”

Watch part of Dr Geraghty's acceptance speech.

Distinguished Supporter Member

Chartered accountant Patrick Staunton was made a Distinguished Supporter Member for 25 years of service to AMA Queensland’s financial governance.

“Mr Staunton’s affiliation with AMA Queensland began in 1996, when his firm PKF Chartered Accountants became the first tenants on the ground floor of AMA House at Hunstanton,” Dr Boulton said.

“Soon after, he was appointed a Board Director of AMAQ Services, a subsidiary company that became superfluous to needs and was subsequently wound up in 2009. That same year, he became the Chair of the AMA Queensland Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC), providing valued advice and oversight of our financial reporting, investment strategies and risk management.

“He has steered the FRAC through challenging times, including a commercial real estate downturn, stock market corrections and a pandemic.

“In 2017, he was awarded Associate Membership of AMA Queensland. That category has been replaced with Distinguished Support Member to reflect a higher order of appreciation.”

Watch part of Mr Staunton's acceptance speech.