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International Women’s Day – 8 March
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) joins with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to proudly recognise and celebrate the achievements of their long-serving CEOs, Peta Rutherford and Marita Cowie AM, on International Women’s Day.
Dr Sarah Chalmers, RDAA President Elect and former ACRRM President, said both ACRRM and RDAA are fortunate to be led by highly experienced and effective female leaders whose impact on rural health is unparalleled.
If you want to talk #AccelerateAction, the medical industry doesn’t have anyone who comes close to this dynamic duo in achieving long-term health impacts for rural and remote communities ,” Dr Chalmers said
“I was privileged to work closely with Marita during my two year term as ACRRM President and I was so inspired by her knowledge and her extraordinary passion for and dedication to the health of rural and remote Australians.
“During that time, and more so since stepping onto the RDAA Board, I have now also developed a strong working relationship with Peta. While having a different style to Marita I am equally impressed and energised by Peta’s industry knowledge and genuine commitment to rural and remote doctors and their communities.
“Marita is ACRRM’s founding CEO and has led the College has grown from an ambitious vision to an organisation with more than 6000 members, empowering Rural Generalists and the rural, remote and First Nations communities they serve,” Dr Martin said.
“Her leadership is more than just strategic; it’s deeply personal. She champions rural health with unwavering commitment making a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of so many people who are most at need.
“As a leader, Marita has never waited for change—she has made it happen. Her dedication to medical education and training has helped to transform Rural Generalist medicine in Australia. ACRRM stands strong today because of her dedication.”
“I am honoured and so lucky to have these two amazing women as colleagues, mentors and friends.”
ACRRM President, Dr Rod Martin, said that Marita has made an extraordinary contribution to rural health over the past three decades, laying the foundations for generations of rural and remote doctors.
RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski, said that CEO Peta Rutherford had been involved in most of the positive policy changes in rural health in recent decades.
“Peta has made a remarkable contribution to rural medicine in her long career, holding roles in state health policy (particularly rural), Medicare, as an executive in rural hospitals, and now with RDAA,” Dr Lewandowski said.
“Peta is full of energy and brings a huge amount of knowledge to her role. You know that she really is the industry expert when people who work full time in policy check with Peta about the workings of their own policies in meetings – I have seen this happen on many occasions.
“She continues to have a huge impact not only on policy and advocacy, but she has also touched the lives of most people in rural medicine in Australia. I don’t think you would be able to find anybody in rural health that has not been impacted by Peta directly or by her work in some way.”
In addition to their outstanding female professional leadership, both organisations have a strong history of elected female leadership, including:
ACRRM Presidents:
- Dr Sarah Chalmers (2020 – 2022)
- Assoc Professor Ruth Stewart (2016 – 2018)
- Assoc Professor Lucie Walters (2014- 2016)
- Dr Lexia Bryant (1999 – 2000)
RDAA Presidents:
- Dr Megan Belot (2021 – 2023)
- Dr Sheilagh Cronin (2012 – 2013)
- Dr Nola Maxfield (2008 – 2010)
- Dr Sue Page (2003 – 2005)
RDAA and ACRRM are proud to have achieved excellent female representation across their Boards reaching gender parity without any quota requirement.
Download:
Available for interview:
- RDAA President Elect Dr Sarah Chalmers
- ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin
- RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski
- ACRRM CEO, Ms Marita Cowie
- RDAA CEO, Ms Peta Rutherford
Media contacts:
Ineke Kuiper (RDAA) on 0408669 638
Petrina Smith (ACRRM) on 0414820 847
All news
International Women’s Day – 8 March
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) joins with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to proudly recognise and celebrate the achievements of their long-serving CEOs, Peta Rutherford and Marita Cowie AM, on International Women’s Day.
Dr Sarah Chalmers, RDAA President Elect and former ACRRM President, said both ACRRM and RDAA are fortunate to be led by highly experienced and effective female leaders whose impact on rural health is unparalleled.
If you want to talk #AccelerateAction, the medical industry doesn’t have anyone who comes close to this dynamic duo in achieving long-term health impacts for rural and remote communities ,” Dr Chalmers said
“I was privileged to work closely with Marita during my two year term as ACRRM President and I was so inspired by her knowledge and her extraordinary passion for and dedication to the health of rural and remote Australians.
“During that time, and more so since stepping onto the RDAA Board, I have now also developed a strong working relationship with Peta. While having a different style to Marita I am equally impressed and energised by Peta’s industry knowledge and genuine commitment to rural and remote doctors and their communities.
“Marita is ACRRM’s founding CEO and has led the College has grown from an ambitious vision to an organisation with more than 6000 members, empowering Rural Generalists and the rural, remote and First Nations communities they serve,” Dr Martin said.
“Her leadership is more than just strategic; it’s deeply personal. She champions rural health with unwavering commitment making a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of so many people who are most at need.
“As a leader, Marita has never waited for change—she has made it happen. Her dedication to medical education and training has helped to transform Rural Generalist medicine in Australia. ACRRM stands strong today because of her dedication.”
“I am honoured and so lucky to have these two amazing women as colleagues, mentors and friends.”
ACRRM President, Dr Rod Martin, said that Marita has made an extraordinary contribution to rural health over the past three decades, laying the foundations for generations of rural and remote doctors.
RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski, said that CEO Peta Rutherford had been involved in most of the positive policy changes in rural health in recent decades.
“Peta has made a remarkable contribution to rural medicine in her long career, holding roles in state health policy (particularly rural), Medicare, as an executive in rural hospitals, and now with RDAA,” Dr Lewandowski said.
“Peta is full of energy and brings a huge amount of knowledge to her role. You know that she really is the industry expert when people who work full time in policy check with Peta about the workings of their own policies in meetings – I have seen this happen on many occasions.
“She continues to have a huge impact not only on policy and advocacy, but she has also touched the lives of most people in rural medicine in Australia. I don’t think you would be able to find anybody in rural health that has not been impacted by Peta directly or by her work in some way.”
In addition to their outstanding female professional leadership, both organisations have a strong history of elected female leadership, including:
ACRRM Presidents:
- Dr Sarah Chalmers (2020 – 2022)
- Assoc Professor Ruth Stewart (2016 – 2018)
- Assoc Professor Lucie Walters (2014- 2016)
- Dr Lexia Bryant (1999 – 2000)
RDAA Presidents:
- Dr Megan Belot (2021 – 2023)
- Dr Sheilagh Cronin (2012 – 2013)
- Dr Nola Maxfield (2008 – 2010)
- Dr Sue Page (2003 – 2005)
RDAA and ACRRM are proud to have achieved excellent female representation across their Boards reaching gender parity without any quota requirement.
Download:
Available for interview:
- RDAA President Elect Dr Sarah Chalmers
- ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin
- RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski
- ACRRM CEO, Ms Marita Cowie
- RDAA CEO, Ms Peta Rutherford
Media contacts:
Ineke Kuiper (RDAA) on 0408669 638
Petrina Smith (ACRRM) on 0414820 847