Highly respected Lara doctor Richard Milner has been named the Victorian finalist in the 2017 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) General Practitioner of the Year Award.
The annual award recognises GPs who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of their community.
Chair of RACGP Victoria Dr Cameron Loy said Dr Milner was a most worthy recipient of the award.
“Dr Milner has devoted his career to enhancing the lives of his patients and their family members,” Dr Loy said.
“He has been an outstanding advocate for general practice for over 30 years and is a wonderful asset for his community.”
Dr Milner is known for his frank and honest yet compassionate and caring communication style. He has worked in correctional health at most of Victoria’s prisons for the past 20 years, founded the Geelong Sexual Health Clinic in the last 1980s, and has represented general practice on government advisory committees.
Dr Milner has also been heavily involved in GP education. He successfully pushed for the establishment of a GP registrar extended skills post at the Melbourne Remand Centre, worked as a GP training supervisor for over 20 years, and currently lectures at Deakin University Medical School.
RACGP Victoria also presented the Victorian General Practice of the Year award to Atticus Health in Carrum.
Atticus Health is a relatively new general practice with a focus on connecting with and caring for all members of the Carrum and surrounding community.
Named after ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’s’ Atticus Finch, the medical team at Atticus Health also strives to represent all individuals to the best of their ability and never waiver from this.
Atticus Health leads the way in preventative health initiatives, with an onsite gym available for staff and patients. Access to the gym is available for any patients with or who have had cancer.
The national winners of the RACGP awards will be announced at GP17 – the RACGP’s annual conference for general practice – running from 26–28 October 2017.