Dr Angelina Salamone

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to your role as RACGP Regional Director of Training?

I’ve been part of general practice for over 34 years and a proud RACGP member for even longer – now honoured as a Life Member and Life Fellow. My journey in medical education began in 2001 at the RACGP, where I discovered a passion for assessment and accreditation. I’ve held various leadership roles across Victorian Metropolitan Alliance GP training and Murray City Country Coast GP training, helping shape training programs, accreditation processes, and standards. Becoming Regional Director of Training for Victoria was a natural progression. I truly enjoy working in this space – it’s a privilege to collaborate with so many dedicated and inspiring people across our profession. 

Dr Anne Saunders

Tell us about where you practice, and some of the other roles you have?

I work part time as a general practitioner in private practice. I see a wide variety of patients in this role including offering addiction medicine services depending on clinical need. I also have the privilege of working in a tertiary emergency department as a consultant GP part time. I am the immediate past co-chair of the RACGP Victoria Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Committee and was in this role for four years. As an RACGP educator, I teach medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence and the family violence program.
 

Dr Edmund Poliness

What advice would you offer to GPs who are interested in getting involved in this area or supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health?

It’s amazing and so worth giving it a go; either as part of your training or at any stage of your career, using the supports and resources available to GPs who are keen to get involved. ACCHOs have a focus on team-based care within the community and look to GPs to use your skills and work with others – offering holistic care while considering the community and environment.

I’ve loved the humour and support that I’ve experienced over the last 25 years working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia, and the ongoing, dynamic learning that is part of my clinical work every day

Dr Edward Vergara

What initially motivated you to consider joining RACGP Victoria Council? 

I have been involved with the RACGP Victoria Council for many years now so trying to look back on the motivation to join is getting hazy. I nominated and was elected on to the council soon after getting my FRACGP. I wanted to be involved in the College, so that made a lot of sense to me. For me it was about being able to contribute to the profession in a different capacity and being able to provide a voice. Since then, I have been part of the Council in different capacities; as a general member, as a Victoria New Fellows Chair and currently as the Victorian Censor.

Dr Marita Long

What message would you like to share with other women GPs this International Women’s Day?

Your work matters. The relational, preventive and holistic care you provide shapes families and communities in ways that are often unseen but profoundly important. Back yourself and recognise your leadership – whether in your consulting room, your practice, medical education, or policy advocacy. Support one another and seek mentors. Advocate for flexibility and sustainability across the different stages of life and career. We know equity doesn’t happen by accident; it requires persistence and collective effort. This International Women’s Day, celebrate how far we’ve come, acknowledge the work still to do, and remember that your voice and expertise are essential to the future of general practice.

Dr Yota Yoshimitsu

What was your journey to become a GP?

I work as a GP in Geelong and Spotswood. I’m also medical educator with the RACGP VIC South West medical education team, and Co-Chair of the Victorian New Fellows Committee along with my colleague Dr Seung-Hoon Baek, and our fellow committee members. I was an optometrist for about 15 years before I did medicine. I started off going through physician training, but then I “saw the light” and decided that general practice was a more suitable pathway for me in terms of my interests and personality.

Dr Yousuf Ahmad

What was your journey to become a GP?

My journey spans across three different continents. I graduated in Pakistan, and in my early career I moved to South Africa and Zimbabwe where I worked in rural and regional areas for seven years as a procedural GP. That was my goal, to be a rural generalist. When I moved to Australia in 2000, I first moved to Queensland, where I was also a procedural GP. Then in 2003, I moved to Sale where I continue to work as a Rural Generalist, with a focus on small town rural generalism, palliative care and mental health.