The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is delighted to announce that two of its members were recognised with high honours at the AIDA Awards at a gala dinner in Cairns on Friday night.
Associate Professor Brad Murphy, an Aboriginal GP from the Kamilaroi people of northwest New South Wales, now living and practicing in Bundaberg received the AIDA 2016 Indigenous Doctor Member of the Year award. In 2007 Associate Professor Murphy became the Founding Chair of the RACGP inaugural National Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, and his advocacy saw its development into a national faculty.
“Dr Murphy is an outstanding example of a GP working towards improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, both at a grass roots level and at a national level,” RACGP president Dr Frank R Jones said.
“I am very happy he has been honoured and on behalf of the RACGP congratulate him,” he said.
Professor Jenny Reath, inaugural Deputy Chair of the RACGP National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Faculty, received the AIDA 2016 Associate Member of the Year award. Professor Jenny Reath is a GP who has extensive experience in working in both rural and urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
“Dr Reath has been committed to improving Indigenous health for the last 30 years and I am delighted her work has been recognised,” Dr Jones said.
Professor Reath’s significant role in undergraduate and vocational medical education has ensured higher standards of education and assessment, resulting in an improved understanding of how disparities in Indigenous health and education can be minimised.
“Her thoughtful and genuine relationships with students, graduate and general practice registrars mean she is literally a beacon of strength and widely admired by many,” Dr Jones said.
Find out more about this year’s winners and the 2016 AIDA Awards.