Rural Generalist Dr Jarrad Lenegan awarded 2023 ACRRM Registrar of the Year

A Rural Generalist training through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) in the Kimberley is the recipient of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Registrar of the Year Award 2023.

Dr Jarrad Lenegan, working fly-in-fly-out between the beachside town of Broome and the riverside community of Fitzroy Crossing, was presented with the award at the Rural Medicine Australia (RMA23) conference dinner in Hobart on Friday night.

The award acknowledges an ACRRM registrar who demonstrates outstanding leadership and advocacy in the field of rural and remote medicine.

Dr Lenegan represents RVTS peers on the ACRRM Registrar Committee, where he advocates for access and flexibility in college assessments and expanding the mutual support among registrars around the country.

Dr Lenegan says he is honored, recognising the many doctors who provide sound advice and encouragement.

“Over the last three years, the team in Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing Hospitals have embraced me as a colleague and assisted me as a registrar. They create a work atmosphere with enough independence to develop my confidence, combined with a certainty of their support that feels safe."

Living and working in rural Australia was a dream Dr Lenegan chased long before pursuing a medical career.

“As a kid, my dad was a truck driver, delivering supplies to remote communities in the Gibson Desert.

“Accompanying him on these outback trips and taking camper-van holidays with my family in the Kimberley, Wheatbelt and South-West was probably the basis of wanting to eventually live in remote WA."

Experiences training in rural practice and being immersed in rural GP through the John Flynn Placement Program in Gin Gin (west of Bundaberg, Qld) and Bicheno (Northeast Tasmania), and the Rural Clinical School in Orange (NSW Central Tablelands) provided further inspiration.

Time as an emergency department registrar was pivotal in developing his clinical experience and confidence.

“However,” he says, “I felt something was missing. “When I transitioned into ACRRM training and my variety of work expanded to include primary care, inpatient and emergency medicine, I felt fulfilled."

Dr Lenegan chose to undertake ACRRM training via the RVTS which is founded on the concept of providing quality remote supervision and teaching to trainee-GPs who wanted to maintain their practice outside of major centres.

ACRRM President Dr Dan Halliday says: “Dr Lenegan is an outstanding choice for this year’s award.

“His experiences across the nation, and his commitment to the region in the Kimberley are demonstrated by his connection to communities, mentors, and peers.”