Dr Nick Yim new AMA Queensland President
Hervey Bay GP and AMA Queensland Vice President Dr Nick Yim has been elected unopposed as President, succeeding Dr Maria Boulton. Dr Emilia Dauway, a surgical oncologist with an interest in breast cancer, is the new Vice President, also elected unopposed.
Dr Yim has been Vice President and Chair of Council for the past two years, working closely with Dr Boulton and AMA members on issues ranging from hospital safety and ambulance ramping to patient taxes and Medicare reform.
He will be officially installed in the role at the AMA Queensland AGM on Friday 24 May.
“It has been an enormous privilege to be Vice President for two years and work on behalf of patients and the profession,” Dr Yim said.
“Becoming President in AMA Queensland’s 130th year is an extraordinary honour. This is also a state election year and health will be a key campaign issue.
“Our community faces many challenges and uncertainties from increasing clinical workloads, an ageing population and the rising cost of living.
“We must make our hospitals safer for staff and patients alike, both from physical or verbal assaults and preventable diseases.
“We must find ways to attract more doctors into general practice, and to live and work in our regions. We must recruit, train and retain staff from Coolangatta to Cairns and out to Cloncurry and Charleville.
“AMA Queensland will be looking at next month’s state budget very carefully and scrutinising the promises and policies of both sides of politics over coming months.
“Above all, we will continue to work with all parties to ensure the best outcomes for patients and our profession.”
Brisbane born and bred, Dr Yim trained and worked as a pharmacist before entering medicine.
Dr Dauway, originally from Los Angeles, has lived and worked in Gladstone, Hervey Bay and Brisbane since moving to Australia.
She is an expert in treating breast disease and was co-inventor of the radioactive seed breast procedure that was patented by the University of Florida in 2000.
“I became involved with AMA Queensland to get an insight into how policies are made and implemented, to offer potential solutions based on my diverse experiences, and to advocate for regional doctors and international medical graduates (IMGs),” Dr Dauway said.
“I’m passionate about advocating for IMGs, particularly in regional areas. They make a lot of sacrifices to move here with their families and there is no guarantee it will work out.”
