The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is delighted to announce that Dr Daniel Epstein, a GP Registrar from the Yarra Valley, Victoria, has been awarded the 2018 RACGP General Practice Registrar of the Year.
The award recognises a general practice registrar’s commitment to general practice, learning, and to serving their patients, practice, education and community.
RACGP President-elect Dr Harry Nespolon said, although in the early stage of his career, Dr Epstein is already a highly respected member of the Australian medical community.
“Dr Epstein is an up-and-coming leader in the field of innovation and creative problem solving in primary health, with particular interests in preventive and primary healthcare innovation and health economics,” Dr Nespolon said.
“He is a strong role model for his peers as he excels across many fields of general practice in the pursuit of a healthier Australia.”
Dr Nespolon said Dr Epstein’s innovation and creativity in the development of Vaxcards, a collectible card game that acts as education and reward for children during the vaccination schedule by collecting character cards belonging to the diseases being immunised against, made him a standout amongst other nominees for the award.
“In his short career in medicine, Dr Epstein has displayed a remarkable commitment to and passion for preventive healthcare,” Dr Nespolon said.
“His conceptualisation and creation of the Vaxcards game will encourage children and parents around the world to remain up-to-date with the vaccination schedule, protecting them from disease.”
Vaxcards is now being played in 25 countries and was featured in an article in prestigious medical journal The Lancet in 2017.
Dr Epstein is also a published clinical author in several international journals with a thesis on acquired brain injury. He was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Alfred Hospital Research Foundation for his work on this thesis.
“Dr Epstein embodies excellence across many fields and is a strong role model for future medical students and general practice registrars,” Dr Nespolon said.
Dr Nespolon will present the award to Dr Epstein today at the RACGP’s annual conference – GP18 on the Gold Coast.
GP18 runs from 11 – 13 October 2018 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Visit the GP18 website for more information.