Three AMA Queensland members honoured at AMA24
We are pleased to announce that three AMA Queensland members were honoured for their contribution to healthcare at the AMA24 National Conference.
Over the first few days of August the AMA took over the Gold Coast with its AMA24 National Conference.
The weekend featured a packed program of keynote speakers, networking opportunities and workshops, all leading up to the Gala Dinner where members from around the country were honoured for their contribution to healthcare.
We are pleased to announce that three AMA Queensland members were honoured this year.
Congratulations to the following members on their dedication to the profession and well-deserved recognition:
- Professor Caroline de Costa AM – 2024 AMA Gold Medal
- Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM – 2024 Diversity in Medicine Award
- Professor André Van Zundert – 2024 AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award
Professor Caroline de Costa AM
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and clinician Prof Caroline de Costa AM is recognised for her leadership in reproductive, Pacific and Indigenous health in regional Australia.
She has received AMA’s highest award for her long and dedicated career and extraordinary work in regional Queensland.
“As we see around the world the fight for reproductive freedoms is far from over. I hope this award might serve as a reminder that we must continue to ensure women are never seen only as vessels for birth but instead to ensure their care and agency is never subject to external decision makers,” Dr de Costa said.
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, alongside Canberra based Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the medical field.
As an emergency doctor living with quadriplegia, he was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland and the second person to graduate medical school with quadriplegia in Australia.
“The journey, coming to medicine from a country divided in ethnic and political wars to Australia, then sustaining a spinal cord injury in medical school, has been a personal reminder of the diversity of people in our world,” Dr Palipana said.
Professor André Van Zundert
Anaesthetist, researcher and teacher Prof André Van Zundert has been awarded the 2024 AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award in recognition of his commitment to medicine, research, teaching and volunteering.
On top of his anaesthetist work, he volunteers to support Brisbane people experiencing homelessness, has served with NATO Peacekeepers as military medical director and has authored countless major textbooks, book chapters and scientific publications.
"Receiving the Australian Medical Association 2024 Excellence in Healthcare Award feels like winning Olympic gold. It's a moment of immense pride and validation, underscoring the crucial role anaesthetists play in delivering safe and effective anaesthesia,” Prof Van Zundert said.
