The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) announces Dr Dan Halliday will lead the College as President from October 2022.

Dr Halliday will succeed Dr Sarah Chalmers whose presidency ends at the College’s 2022 Annual General Meeting.

Dr Chalmers says she is delighted to be handing the baton to Dr Halliday, who has a long association with ACRRM.

“I have worked alongside Dan on the College Board, Council and representative committees for many years, and am confident he has the knowledge, skills and commitment to lead ACRRM into the future,” Dr Chalmers says.

“Dan is highly engaged in the profession, both within ACRRM and through advocacy and support of contributing stakeholder groups. I am sure through his strong but calm leadership style, ACRRM will continue its smooth transition to College-led training and remain a strong contributor to meeting the healthcare needs of rural and remote communities.

Dr Halliday is looking forward to the challenge ahead and is eager to make a positive difference for our members.

“I’d like to congratulate outgoing President, Dr Sarah Chalmers for her navigation of the uncertain and turbulent times of change over the past two years in the general practice profession,” Dr Halliday says.

“Sarah has worked with the College leadership team and stakeholders to position ACRRM favourably in the healthcare industry, always demonstrating a focussed, positive and reassuring presence.

“ACRRM is strong in so many areas, with a community whose deep commitment to healthcare is awe inspiring.

With College-led training and CPD Homes on the horizon, this is a busy but exciting time for the College. Consolidating the work of recognition for Rural Generalist Medicine will parallel these activities. I believe ACRRM offers a clear way forward to provide exciting training and supervision opportunities to clinicians, enabling delivery of excellent healthcare for our rural, regional and remote communities.

I look forward to being a part of this change. I’m committed to advocating for ACRRM and to ensuring the needs of rural doctors and their communities are at the centre of national healthcare reforms for primary care.”

Dr Halliday is engaged in many aspects of rural medicine across clinical practice, the wider community and stakeholder continuum. He attained his Fellowship through ACRRM’s training program and is currently Medical Superintendent at Stanthorpe Hospital, Director and Deputy Chair of the Rural Doctors Foundation, and the State Councillor for Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation Queensland.   Dr Halliday is also a mentor, facilitator and supervisor of doctors in training.