Dr David Harwood from Parkes, NSW is a recipient of an Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) 2022 Distinguished Service Award for his significant contribution to rural and remote medicine and general service to his community. 

Dr Harwood’s contribution to rural and remote medicine in his community spans over 40 years, where he has worked in family general practice, anaesthetic care, obstetric care, Accident & Emergency, hospital inpatient care, an RFDS coordinator and medical role and in education as a mentor and examiner.

Dr Harwood’s passion for educating young registrars comes from over 25 years as an ACRRM examiner, travelling interstate to examine candidates for ACRRM on a regular basis. 

His work in assessment has enriched the experience of many General Practitioner (GP) registrars who have been fortunate enough to have experienced his dedicated teaching and supervisor skills.

“I take great delight in seeing the new highly skilled rural GP registrars and independent pathway exam candidates achieve the necessary levels of competence to enable them to fully embark in their careers as FACRRM,” Dr Harwood says.

While being a golf-enthusiast, Dr Harwood admits to catching the ‘travel bug’, his extensive career enabling him and his family to work and live all over the country, spending time in Queensland, Norfolk Island, Western Australia and settling in New South Wales since 1991.

“None of this would have been possible without the support and essential involvement of my wife, Dr Christina Carroll. 

“She has been with me every step of the way as a professional and personal partner, mother of our three children, homemaker and sometime conscience.”

When asked how rural generalism has kept him sustained over the years, Dr Harwood says: “It is this diversity of practice, only really available away from large towns or cities, in a career in which could test my skills and knowledge daily, that is supported by the ACRRM curriculum, that keeps me on my toes. 

“I feel a great sense of privilege to be working in a community where I can offer cradle-to-grave care in a holistic family practice. 

“I am sustained in my practice by its variety and the ongoing care of my patients, with the daily step into the great unknown, often occurring as a patient presents with a new problem.

Dr Harwood is humbled by the award. Being grandfathered into ACRRM in 1996 with some 18-plus years of rural practice provides an opportunity to reflection how rural generalism has transitioned over the years.

“At the time I first became involved in ACRRM, it was the only avenue specifically supporting rural and remote medicine in Australia, that was the attraction. I now enjoy the comradery and sense of community the College offers as an added bonus.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

ACRRM: Communications manager Petrina Smith at p.smith@acrrm.org.au, 0414 820 847