Rural Registrar of the Year award

About the Rural Registrar of the Year award

The Rural Registrar of the Year award recognises an exceptional registrar who demonstrates a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in rural or remote Australia.

A nominee must be a general practice registrar who is currently enrolled in the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) or the Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG) through the RACGP.

Each nomination is judged on the following criteria:

• demonstrated commitment to rural general practice
• demonstrated commitment to learning and developing as a rural GP
• evidence of service to rural patients
• evidence of commitment and service to the rural practice in which they work
• evidence of service to the rural community in which they practice or have practised.

The Rural Registrar of the Year award includes:

• registration to attend the College's annual conference
• presentation of a commemorative trophy at the RACGP Rural annual member event.

Nomination process

Nominees for the Rural GP in Training of the Year Award must have two nominators (one nominator and one seconder). Nominators may include a(n): RACGP member, member of the general practice profession, medical educator, general practice supervisor. 

2023 award winner

The 2023 Rural Registrar of the Year Award was jointly presented to Dr Ishani Kaluthotage and Dr Dean McKittrick.

^{Dr Ishani Kaluthotage receiving her award from RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins at the National Awards Ceremony}
Described as an exceptional registrar, Dr Ishani Kaluthotage has been recognised for a sustained focus on rural and remote medicine, as well as her passionate advocacy for reducing the health inequalities faced by isolated communities.

She has volunteered for projects in Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and Tanzania, and has already worked as a medical educator, mentor and tutor, where she is known for an engaging and supportive teaching style, according to her nomination.

^{Dr Dean McKittrick receiving his award from RACGP Western Australia Chair Dr Ramya Raman at the Western Australia Awards Ceremony}

Awarded for his commitment the Kimberley community in rural Western Australia, Dr Dean McKittrick’s insight and close work with Aboriginal Health Workers from remote communities demonstrated a high level of understanding of community needs and respect of cultural needs and elders.

His thorough and forward-thinking approach to his role at Kimberley Renal Services has ensured that others have access to a manual which has served to improve the understanding of renal services, and consequently improved safety and completeness for the Kimberley’s most vulnerable patients