Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Dr Deborah Simmons has been recognised in the Australia Day 2022 Honours list for service to medicine through a range of roles, including developing ACRRM’s rural anaesthetic crisis management course.
As well as receiving the award of Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the education and training of doctors and her role in helping save lives during the Grosvenor Coal Mine gas blast in Moranbah in 2020, Dr Simmons was recognised on the COVID-19 Honour Roll.
Dr Simmons describes becoming a Rural Generalist (RG) through ACRRM’s College-delivered Independent Pathway as finding the missing piece of fulfilment in her medical career.
“While doing work as a Locum Anaesthetist, I worked in many rural hospitals, and I was in awe of the scope of practice of the Rural Generalists I met along the way.
“It made me realise that I wanted to be able to do that - help anyone that comes through the hospital door, so I got my second fellowship with ACRRM. I have been working as a Rural Generalist for eight years now. Every day is a new adventure. I just love my job!”
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers congratulates Dr Simmons for her contribution of serving the rural and remote communities in North Queensland, and her commitment to supporting Rural Generalists through education and training.
“Dr Simmons was the recipient of the 2020 ACRRM Distinguished Service Award for her contribution to rural generalism, and to the College,” Dr Chalmers says.
“As well as writing the Rural Anaesthesia Crisis Management course for ACRRM, Dr Simmons is an instructor for the College’s Rural Emergency Skills Training and Advanced Life Support courses, as well as a primary StAMPS examiner. She is an outstanding RG ambassador.
“The College congratulates Dr Simmons on receiving an OAM for services to medicine.”
As well as receiving the award of Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the education and training of doctors and her role in helping save lives during the Grosvenor Coal Mine gas blast in Moranbah in 2020, Dr Simmons was recognised on the COVID-19 Honour Roll.
Dr Simmons describes becoming a Rural Generalist (RG) through ACRRM’s College-delivered Independent Pathway as finding the missing piece of fulfilment in her medical career.
“While doing work as a Locum Anaesthetist, I worked in many rural hospitals, and I was in awe of the scope of practice of the Rural Generalists I met along the way.
“It made me realise that I wanted to be able to do that - help anyone that comes through the hospital door, so I got my second fellowship with ACRRM. I have been working as a Rural Generalist for eight years now. Every day is a new adventure. I just love my job!”
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers congratulates Dr Simmons for her contribution of serving the rural and remote communities in North Queensland, and her commitment to supporting Rural Generalists through education and training.
“Dr Simmons was the recipient of the 2020 ACRRM Distinguished Service Award for her contribution to rural generalism, and to the College,” Dr Chalmers says.
“As well as writing the Rural Anaesthesia Crisis Management course for ACRRM, Dr Simmons is an instructor for the College’s Rural Emergency Skills Training and Advanced Life Support courses, as well as a primary StAMPS examiner. She is an outstanding RG ambassador.
“The College congratulates Dr Simmons on receiving an OAM for services to medicine.”