Congratulations to the recipients of the 2015 College Awards that were presented on Saturday 1 August at the RNZCGP Annual Conference at Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton.
Distinguished Fellowships
The Distinguished Fellowship is awarded for outstanding and sustained services either to the science or practice of medicine, or the aims or work of the College. Service to any organisation which may directly or indirectly benefit General Practice, medicine as a whole, or the health and welfare of the community, may be taken into account.
Distinguished Fellowship – Jane Margaret BURRELL
Jane has had a busy journey in general practice. She first worked in Dunedin before moving to Upper Hutt, where she quickly became involved in College activities. Among other roles, she was appointed to the Quality Advisory Committee, and was Chair of the Professional Practice Expert Advisory Group.
Jane has championed quality in general practice for many years, been involved in medical education teaching, also becoming a Medical Educator in her own right.
A valued contributor, organiser and leader of both local and regional seminar programmes, she is the epitome of the general practice professional.
Distinguished Fellowship - Alistair Struan CLARK
Struan Clark came to the Golden Bay in 1996 having previously worked in Canterbury and his native Scotland.
In 2003, he mooted the idea of developing an integrated health centre in the area to include the general practice, hospital, rest home and allied health services. He could see that this was essential for future recruitment of GPs to this isolated rural area, and for providing integrated care to the community. The centre finally opened in September 2013.
An enthusiastic teacher and supervisor, Struan is a Fellow of both the College and the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine.
Distinguished Fellowship – Tangimoana Frances HABIB
Tangimoana Habib exudes the professional values of modern general practice. She shows her commitment through many avenues, be it in her practice or in her advocacy for Maori and equity in health care. This is seen both in her clinical work and through the roles she has held in the College.
Tangi works with Maori health provider Te Kohao Health, and combines her practice duties with being a teacher and mentor to many GPEP registrars and medical students.
We are delighted that Tangi can receive her Distinguished Fellowship here in Hamilton in front of her whanau, friends and colleagues.
Distinguished Fellowship - David John HENRY
David has been a College Examiner for nearly 20 years, the last seven, until his retirement from the role in late 2014, as Chief Examiner. He has shown great leadership in mentoring and training College Examiners as well as producing academically robust examinations.
He has worked extremely hard to ensure that the College exam retains its high academic standing.
At the same time, David is a committed GP, highly respected by his patients and the general practice community.
He is still involved with the College as the Chair of the Education Advisory Group.
Distinguished Fellowship - Richard Ian Cameron HULME
Richard Hulme was born in South Auckland of English and Western Samoan descent.
A Fellow of both the College and of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care, Richard completed a Masters’ degree in Health Management and Public Health in Safety and Quality in 2008.
Richard is well respected by his peers in both primary and secondary care for his contributions to clinical governance and quality improvement.
He has been involved in GP training and continues to lead a very successful integrated learning programme. Over the years has trained more than 400 undergraduate and graduate medical students.
Distinguished Fellowship - Peter Grant (Grant) JOHNSTON
After running a solo rural practice, Grant set up a practice in Blenheim which has, over the past 30 years, developed into Springlands Health. The clinic’s reputation amongst its peers and the community for providing high quality, accessible services is, in large part, due to Grant’s vision, drive and guidance.
His extensive body of work includes clinical work, teaching, collegial support and representation on numerous boards and committees.
His is highly respected by both primary and secondary care colleagues and the community. He goes about his business with humour, an affirmative and inclusive approach, and a strong adherence to principle.
Distinguished Fellowship - Janice Mary Frances JOLLY
Not many people can say they have delivered more than 3000 babies, but Janice Jolly can.
Janice was the last GP obstetrician in Nelson when she retired from that part of her role last year. She is a great example of a GP who has developed and maintained strong bonds with patients throughout her 35 year career.
A skilled teacher and educator, Janice is a strong advocate for obstetrics. However, it is her warmth, humour and integrity that have exemplified her professional life, as well as her willingness to share her skills and knowledge with colleagues.
Distinguished Fellowship - Clare WARD (Northland)
Clare has worked as a GP for Hokianga Health for 24 years, the past six as Medical Director. Dr Clare, as she is sometimes known, is a Fellow of both the College and of the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine.
In that time, she has mentored and taught countless students and has carried our role as a GP with her skill, knowledge, dignity and compassion.
The testimonials for her nomination highlight her commitment to, and understanding of, the community she serves, be it at patients’ homes, the marae or hospital. As one testimonial concluded “The honour of having her in the community is ours”.
College Awards nominees - Community Service Medal
Community Service Medal - Glenn DOHERTY (Auckland)
Glenn has demonstrated outstanding and enthusiastic service to the Tongan community in both South Auckland and Tonga.
His governance of the Langimalie Clinic has seen it move from being close to closure to being a vibrant, integrated family health centre in less than two years, and a training practice for the first time in 20 years.
Glenn has been involved in countless clinical initiatives to help lift health standards, and has served on boards ranging from education to paediatrics.
Desmond Mark EPP (Rotorua)
Des Epp served the Rotorua community for 36 years before retiring in September 2014. An admired member of the Rotorua primary care community, Des has been a champion for health excellence and equity, He has also been a teacher and served on the local DHB for a decade.
He has also led the Health Rotorua PHO and the Rotorua Area Primary Health PHO and has been the Deputy Chair of General Practice New Zealand.
Glennis Hazel MAFI (Auckland)
Glennis’ commitment to her patients is to treat them fairly and holistically, and involve them in decisions about their health.
Her general practice career started with 17 years working in Tonga and she is still heavily involved in improving medical practice in the island nation.
Glennis sets and maintains very standards in her work, and the College motto cum scientia caritas (with knowledge and compassion) embodies her 38-year commitment to her patients and the profession.
Graeme Philip WHITTAKER (Whangaparaoa)
Graeme has served the Whangaparaoa Peninsula community for nearly 30 years, providing a high level of care with a personal touch. His has worked as a GPEP teacher and College examiner.
Starting as a solo practitioner, Graeme has built his practice into an integrated medical centre, providing a full range of services from obstetrics to palliative care.
Having spent several years teaching in the Pacific, Graeme is fluent in several Pacific languages.
Award nominee - Distinguished Service Medal
Neil Jacob WHITTAKER (Nelson)
Since Neil settled in Nelson in 1994, his contribution to the College, the community and general practice has been outstanding.
An inspirational educator in his own right, Neil was instrumental in the reform of after-hours services in Nelson and has served as Executive Clinical Director with the local DHB.
Most importantly, he believes making a patient’s journey through the medical system as easy as possible is of paramount importance.
Award nominee - Honorary Fellowship
David MOORE (Wellington)
Honorary Fellowship is made to:
“A person of distinction who has made an outstanding contribution to College’s affairs”.
Until today, only 15 Honorary Fellowships have been awarded.
David, of Ngai Tahu descent, has made an outstanding contribution to the College over the last five years as an independent Board member and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.
During this time, he has provided the Board with exceptional business and governance acumen as the College moved to its new constitutional structure.
David, an accountant and strategic advisor, has consulted extensively in the health sector on a range of policy, strategy and contract issues during his long and notable career.
He has brought to the College a thorough understanding of primary and integrated care, a career which includes being the founding managing director and a long-term Board member of PHARMAC.