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Celebrating Excellence in Rural Medicine

The ACRRM Excellence Awards honour the incredible doctors, educators, and teams who go above and beyond to shape the future of rural healthcare. With 44 awards across regional and national categories, we celebrate and recognise those delivering life-changing care, mentoring the next generation of Rural Generalists, and driving innovation and impact of rural health outcomes. 

State-based winners will be announced online by 1 July and a national winner will be selected by the ACRRM awards committee and announced at the Rural Medicine Australia (RMA) Conference – ACRRM and RDAA’s biggest event of the year!

Nominations for the 2025 awards are now open until 27 May. Know someone making a difference in rural healthcare? Submit your nomination today and help us recognise the incredible individuals and teams who are shaping the future of rural healthcare.

Award Categories

Browse the below award categories where you will find eligibility criteria and a link to the nomination portal!

From the state-based Medical Student of the Year awards, a national winner is chosen who is highly engaged in their studies with a strong focus on becoming a Rural Generalist. They will have a strong connection and commitment to training in rural and remote locations. They will be able to demonstrate taking a lead role in community either as part of their studies or independently.

Prize

The national winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

Eligibility

Nominations are open to medical students who are:  

  • Members of ACRRM  
  • Currently studying at an Australian university  
  • A member of their university Rural Health Club

Award recipients:

ACRRM President's Prize Winners (from 2025, the President's Prize has become the Medical Student of the Year award)

From the state-based Registrar of the Year awards, a national winner is chosen who is highly engaged in their training program and meeting their Fellowship progression outcomes. They will have a strong connection and commitment to training in rural, remote and First Nations communities with evidence of a commitment to patient care. They will be able to demonstrate taking a lead role for their region, engaging with the College, advocating for registrars, and providing evidence of contribution to ACRRM Fellowship delivery.

Prize

The national winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

Eligibility

The nominee must be;

  • an ACRRM registrar member
  • meeting their Fellowship progression requirements

Award recipients:

ACRRM Rural Registrar of the Year

ACRRM & RDAA Rural Registrar of the Year Award (The Rural Registrar of the Year Award became a sole award of ACRRM in 2023)

  • 2022 - Dr Regina Waterhouse and Dr Salma Hanif
  • 2021 - Dr James Padley
  • 2020 - Dr Aaron Hawkins
  • 2019 - Dr Allison Hempenstall
  • 2018 - Dr Bryce Nicol
  • 2017 - Dr Michelle Hannan and Dr Teena Downton
  • 2016 - Dr Kate Kloza
  • 2015 - Dr Sarah Farlow and Dr Sarah Koffmann
  • 2014 - Dr Sally Singleton
  • 2013 - Dr Crystal Pidgeon
  • 2012 - Dr Tonia Marquardt
  • 2011 - Dr Adele van der Merwe
  • 2010 - Dr Sarah McEwan
  • 2009 - Dr Kylie Sterry
  • 2008 - Dr Oscar Whitehead 

From the state-based Rural Generalist of the Year awards, a national winner is chosen who holds expertise in best-practice care in rural, remote, and First Nations communities.

They will have a strong connection and commitment to Rural Generalist medicine and a deep understanding of the workforce and healthcare delivery challenges in the communities in which they live. They will possess a broad range of medical skills, including procedural and non-procedural capabilities, to address diverse health issues. They will be committed to community centred care delivery particularly in their area of Advanced Specialised Training.

They are dedicated to improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural and remote areas, often going above and beyond to ensure their patients receive the best care possible.

Prize

The national winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

Eligibility

The nominee must be an ACRRM member to be eligible for this award.

Award recipients:

 

From the state-based Medical Educator of the Year awards, a national winner is chosen who has a strong connection and commitment to the delivery of ACRRM training and education for the benefit of registrar progression through to Fellowship. They will have a high level of commitment to registrar upskilling in a rural and remote context. They will have evidence of leading the medical education delivery for the ACRRM Fellowship program.

Prize

The national winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

Eligibility

The nominee must be;

  • an ACRRM member
  • a current medical educator with ACRRM

Award recipients:

 

From the state-based Outstanding Contribution to Practice Management awards, a national winner is chosen who holds expertise in rural and remote practice management supporting RG care delivery. They will manage an ACRRM accredited training facility that has consistently met all accreditation requirements and has over time supported the education, supervision and support of ACRRM registrars as well as their supervising Fellows.

Prize

The national winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

Eligibility

The nominee must be a practice manager at an ACRRM-accredited training post.

Award recipients:

 

This is a national-only award where ACRRM recognises an individual who has expertise in best practice care for First Nations communities.

They will have a strong connection and commitment to First Nations care and a deep understanding of the social, historical and cultural factors influencing outcomes for our First Nations members and the communities in which they live.

Prize

The winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

Eligibility

The nominee must be an ACRRM member to be eligible for this award.

Award recipients:

 

This is a national-only award where the winner demonstrates outstanding contributions to rural and remote health research that advances knowledge, improves healthcare practice, and demonstrates meaningful community impact.

Prize

The winner will receive;

  • full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.
  • a publication opportunity to feature in the ACRRM Country Watch newsletter or a partner journal.

Eligibility

The nominee must be a;

  • current ACRRM member (Fellow, registrar, or Associate) to be eligible for this award
  • the research must be substantial and original, focusing on rural/remote health, must show real-world impact on clinical practice, education, or policy, and must have been conducted within the past five years (2019–2024).

Award recipients:

    This is a new, national-only award where the winner has made an outstanding contribution as a cultural mentor, supporting ACRRM Fellows, registrars, and medical students in delivering culturally safe and appropriate healthcare. They will have played a vital role in sharing cultural knowledge, traditions and perspectives, helping to strengthen connection between members and the rural and remote communities where they live and work.

    Prize

    The national winner will receive full RMA25 registration (including conference dinner and other ticketed events), and accommodation for 3 nights plus return economy airfares.

    Eligibility

    The nominee must be mentoring ACRRM Fellows, registrars and/or medical students.

    Member Recognition

    Member Recognition is a special way to acknowledge professionals who have reached key milestones in their journey with ACRRM. Nominated by peers in line with eligibility criteria set by the ACRRM Board, these awards celebrate the dedication, service, and achievements of those committed to rural medicine.

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    Life Fellowship is the highest and most prestigious ACRRM award. It is reserved for Fellows who have rendered outstanding and meritorious service to the College and made a contribution of international significance to rural and remote medicine. Life Fellowship is limited to ten Fellows at any one time, and no more than two Fellows may be admitted in any one financial year (1 July to 30 June).

    Recipients will have ongoing membership subscriptions to the College waived and maintain full voting rights.

    Eligibility

    This Award can only be granted to a Fellow of ACRRM. 

    Criteria

    The ACRRM Board may award Honorary Life Fellowship to a College Fellow in recognition of outstanding or significant contribution to the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and/or significant contribution to the broader rural community. 

    Award recipients:

    • 2024 - A/Prof Ruth Stewart
    • 2021 - Dr Louis Peachey
    • 2017 - Dr Mark Craig
    • 2010 - Dr Colin Owen
    • 2009 - Dr Tom Doolan
    • 2007 - Dr Ian Wronski
    • 2006 - Dr Roger Strasser
    • 2003 - Dr John Shepherd 

    Honorary Fellowships may be awarded to medical practitioners or, in special circumstances, non-medical persons, who have provided a significant contribution to ACRRM and education, research or general service in the field of rural generalism. 

    It is limited to 20 persons at any one time, and no more than two people may be admitted in any one year (1 July to 30 June).

    Recipients who are not members of the College will receive honorary membership status without voting rights. Recipients who are already members will have ongoing membership subscriptions waived and maintain full voting rights. 

    Eligibility

    Honorary Fellowship can be granted to a person with a recognised medical qualification and is open to both College members and non-members. 

    Criteria

    The ACRRM Board may award Honorary Fellowship to a medical practitioner in recognition of a significant contribution to: 

    • the College
    • the discipline of rural and remote medicine
    • rural medical education or research 
    • the health of rural or remote communities 



    Award recipients:

    • 2022 - Dr Greg Coates & Dr John Urie
    • 2017 - Dr Pat Giddings
    • 2016 - Dr Michael Catchpole
    • 2014 - Dr Frank Moloney
    • 2012 - Dr Nola Maxfield
    • 2010 - Dr Rick McLean
    • 2008 - Dr Denis Lennox
    • 2008 - Dr Bill Nimo
    • 2007 - Dr Jack Best
    • 2007 - Dr David Mildenhall
    • 2007 - Dr Geoff White
    • 2007 - Dr Richard Hays
    • 2007 - Dr Max Kamien
    • 2005 - Dr James Muir
    • 2002 - Dr Raymond Kernutt

    Honorary Membership recognises exceptional and/or significant service to the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and/or rural and remote medicine. Honorary Membership may be awarded to persons who do not have a registrable medical qualification.

    Recipients of this award will receive honorary membership status of the College. They will not pay subscription fees and will not hold voting rights.

    Eligibility

    Honorary Membership can be granted to a person who is either a medical practitioner who is not a member of the College, or to non-medical person.

    Criteria

    The ACRRM Board may grant Honorary Membership in recognition of: 

    • Exceptional and/or significant service to the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine 
    • Outstanding service to rural and remote medicine and to rural and remote communities. 
     

    Award recipients:

    The Distinguished Service Awards recognise Fellows, members, or non-medical persons who have provided a specific and significant contribution to rural and remote medicine.

    Eligibility

    A Distinguished Service Award is open to College members who have displayed an ongoing involvement in, and commitment to, the College. 

    Criteria

    The ACRRM Board may award a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of: 

    • Long-term or significant contribution to the College 
    • Significant or distinguished service to rural or remote communities 


    Award recipients:

    The Peter Graham 'Cohuna' Award recognises members or Fellows who have provided outstanding advocacy and medical service to their community to ensure the maintenance of the highest quality of generalist skills, particularly in procedural practice. This award is offered in honour of the late Dr Peter Graham, AO, who passed away in 2008, aged 80. Peter provided dedicated service as a doctor in Cohuna, in rural Victoria, for nearly 50 years.

    Award recipients:

    • 2024 - Dr Dennis Pashen
    • 2023 - Dr Mark Zagorski
    • 2022 - Dr Gerard Quigley
    • 2021 - Dr Diana Cross
    • 2020 - Dr Jeff Robinson
    • 2019 - Dr Peter Barker
    • 2018 - Louise Baker
    • 2017 - Mike Moynihan
    • 2016 - David Senior
    • 2015 - Paul Mara
    • 2014 - Stephen Morris
    • 2013 - John Menzies
    • 2012 - Bruce Chater
    • 2011 - Les Woollard
    • 2010 - Lindsay Sherriff
    • 2009 - Peter Rischbieth
    • 2008 - Sheilagh Cronin