The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Service Awards, celebrating their decades of commitment to the health and wellbeing of rural, remote, and First Nations communities.

This year’s deserving winners are:

· Dr Peter Arvier (Penguin, Tas)

· Dr Neil Beaton (Atherton, Qld)

· Dr Tom Doolan (Toowoomba, Qld)

· Dr David Rosenthal (Renmark, SA)

ACRRM President, Dr Rod Martin, commended each recipient for their diverse clinical expertise, leadership, and advocacy for improved healthcare access and the Rural Generalist profession.

“These four outstanding leaders have inspired many junior doctors to follow in their footsteps. Their dedication and unwavering commitment have not only shaped the College but have also significantly improved healthcare in rural and remote Australia," Dr Martin says.

"They embody the ACRRM values of optimism, conviction, courage, and inclusiveness.

“On behalf of all members, I extend heartfelt thanks for their commitment to the profession and for guiding the way for future Rural Generalists."

The Distinguished Award recipients were recognised at the Rural Medicine Australia (RMA) 2024 conference being held in Garramilla (Darwin).

About the recipients:

Dr Neil Beaton

Dr Beaton of Atherton, Queensland, has been a dedicated leader in developing Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training and advocacy for many years. As Chair of the ACRRM Anaesthetic Expert Reference Group, he played a pivotal role in the creation of the Advanced Certificate in Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (ACRGA).

His advocacy has been instrumental in maintaining anaesthetic service continuity in rural Queensland, and uniting Rural Generalist Anaesthetists (RGAs) across Australia. Many RGAs practicing today owe much of the qualification’s success to his tireless efforts and vision.

Assoc Prof David Rosenthal

Renmark (SA)-based Rural Generalist, Assoc Prof David Rosenthal, has provided rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare to his community for 50 years. As a Fellow with DRANZCOG qualifications, he provides primary care within his practice and in hospital settings.

He served on the ACRRM Quality and Safety Council, the Board of Examiners, the Education Council, the Professional Development Committee, and the Assessment Committee.

Assoc Prof Rosenthal has supported junior doctors in progressing their careers, as a rural medical educator at Flinders University of SA and a director of medical services at Riverland General Hospital. He remains a long-standing advocate for Rural Generalist Medicine.

Dr Tom Doolan

The College recognises Dr Tom Doolan’s exceptional commitment as the long-serving Chair of the ACRRM Education and Training Committee. This year marks his final year in the role, highlighting his dedicated service since the committee’s inception.

Dr Doolan has been a steadfast supporter of rural generalism. As a founding Fellow of the College and a Life Fellow since 2009, his contributions to the College Curriculum have been invaluable. Alongside his committee work, Dr Doolan has provided outstanding medical care in Kilcoy for over 44 years, mentoring students and supervising countless registrars through their Fellowship training.

Dr Peter Arvier

Dr Peter Arvier is a Tasmanian Emergency Medicine FACRRM who developed a passion for rural medicine 40 years ago while working as a junior doctor in Innisfail, Far North Queensland. Having worked across rural Australia and Canada, Dr Arvier has lived and worked in Tasmania for the past 20 years.

He has long been involved in ACRRM’s curriculum development and has mentored and educated the next generation of ACRRM registrars.

Dr Arvier was instrumental in establishing the University of Tasmania Rural Clinical School and the Tasmanian Rural Generalist Pathway, making a lasting impact on the region’s healthcare landscape.