The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has named Dr Denise Powell of Bundaberg, Queensland, the winner of the RACGP’s top rural accolade, the 2017 Brian Williams Award.
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said Dr Powell is a GP whose guidance and support has enabled other rural GPs and GP registrars to dedicate themselves to their patients, families and communities.
“Dr Powell is a deserving recipient of this year’s Brian Williams Award,” Dr Seidel said.
“She is known throughout Bundaberg and its surrounding region for her dedication to her patients and their families and her passion for general practice education.
“Dr Powell is also passionate about general practice education and has provided guidance and support for many other GPs, GP registrars, medical students, nurses and physician’s assistants.”
Dr Powell said she was honoured to receive the award.
“I think general practice suits me best,” Dr Powell said.
“As I was progressing through medicine as a student, I believed in my great naiveté that it would be more useful to try to work with people at the beginning rather that at the significantly progressed and end stages of mental health.”
Dr Brian Williams was a rural GP and medical educator and staunch advocate for rural general practice and education at all levels. The award is presented each year to a GP who has made a significant contribution to the personal and professional welfare of rural doctors.
The RACGP will present Dr Cassie Rickard the 2017 RACGP Rural Registrar of the Year Award on Thursday 26 October.
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said Dr Rickard has become a valuable part of the workforce and community in Victoria’s Gippsland region.
“Her commitment to rural healthcare has been exceptional and has been evident from her time as a medical student, when she actively sought remote placements in East Gippsland and the Northern Territory,” Dr Seidel said.