The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is pleased to announce new appointments to the College Board, Council and Registrars’ Committee.
College President Dr Ewen McPhee says the newly endorsed representatives will provide valuable input into key decisions which impact members on matters including training and assessment, respectful workplaces, support and advocacy.
“It is encouraging these enthusiastic Rural Generalists are standing up to be the voice of their peers and advocate for the future of rural and remote medicine in Australia,” Dr McPhee says.
“Also noteworthy is that all these representatives have either completed or are completing ACRRM training, indicating the College’s maturity and capacity to produce brilliant leaders.
“This is an important and exciting time for Rural Generalists, with recognition of rural generalism, College-led training and the national Rural Generalist Training Program some of the key agenda items up for consideration.
“Alongside President elect Dr Sarah Chalmers, the College is in a good position to achieving these milestones effectively, efficiently and successfully,” he says.
The following ACRRM Rural Generalists have been appointed:
Dr Brendan Carrigan is elected as College Council representative for Queensland.
Dr Carrigan lives and works in Dalby and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of rural communities to the position. As an experienced Rural Generalist clinician and educator, he is passionate about delivering quality medical education in rural areas.
Dr Michelle Hannan is appointed on the College Board.
Dr Hannan has worked as a Rural Generalist across diverse rural and remote areas, including Broken Hill, Tasmania, and currently with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Mt Isa. Her experience as an ACRRM registrar and now FACRRM provides her with the drive to advocate for the development of a true Rural Generalist Pathway with suitable employment options for Fellows and support for ACRRM registrars.
Dr Danielle Dries is elected as the Registrar Director on the ACRRM Board.
Dr Dries is a Kaurna Aboriginal woman from South Australia. Now based in Rockhampton, Dr Dries is completing her advanced specialised training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology on the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program. Dr Dries will be the voice of her peers across all pathways on issues impacting education, training and assessment.
The Registrars’ Committee has had five new appointments.
Current Registrars’ Committee members Dr Babak Adeli and Dr Rebecca Irwin are elected by the committee as Chair and Deputy Chair respectively.
New members to the committee, elected by registrars across the College, include:
Dr Nichole Harch – Registrar Committee
Dr Harch is completing her ACRRM training time in Emerald, Central Queensland. She has completed Advance Skills Training in Mental Health and is committed to encouraging consistency with assessments and establishing clear pathways to working as Fellows on completion of training.
Dr Swaroop Vallui – Registrar Committee
Dr Vallui completed his undergraduate and first specialist training in India and relocated to Australia 14 years ago. His motivation as a registrar representative is to implement the vision of the curriculum and contribute to making the training experience safe and productive. He brings a strong understanding of the challenges of postgraduate medical education in Australia and issues of a multicultural cultural workforce while also having experience in governance as a board member Australian College of Emergency Medicine.
Dr Megan Hosken – Registrar Committee
Dr Hosken brings experience working as a registered nurse and midwife and critical care nurse practitioner for over 27 years in rural and remote areas of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Afghanistan. She thrives on the challenges of rural and remote healthcare and is committed to ensuring healthcare professionals are supported to deliver the best possible healthcare that their patients deserve.