College of GPs’ Presidents Service Medal awarded in recognition of valuable contributions to the College

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) has awarded five of its members with the President’s Service Medal at its annual Fellowship and Awards Ceremony in Auckland on Saturday 1 August 2026.

The President’s Service Medal recognises outstanding service to the College or the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine (DRHM), its purpose and the profession.

College President Dr Luke Bradford says, “The achievements of this year’s recipients have improved our College and profession for the better. Through leadership, teaching, governance, mentorship and service they have generously shares their expertise and time to support the College, the future generations while helping to ensure the College remains a strong and trusted voice for specialist GPs and rural hospital specialists.”

Congratulations to this year’s deserving recipients:

Dr Sophie Ball | Auckland

Dr Sophie Ball has made a sustained and influential contribution to general practice through her work in mental health, education, and professional leadership. As Primary Care Mental Health Clinical Lead for Counties Manukau Health, she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the Wellness Support model of care, which improved access to effective support and achieved particularly strong engagement for Māori and Pacific communities. She has also supported clinicians nationally through her co-authorship of the book, What Do I Say Next? Everyday Mental Health Conversations in Primary Care.

Alongside her clinical leadership, Dr Ball has devoted herself to teaching across the full continuum of medical education, from undergraduate students to registrars and practising GPs. Her long service within the Auckland Faculty Executive, of which she is in her third term of Chair, and the College’s National Advisory Council reflects her commitment to collegiality, governance, and future-focused general practice. Through all of this, she has consistently demonstrated equity, collaboration, and innovation in all that she does for her patients and the specialist GP workforce.

Dr Bronwyn Campbell | Te Kuiti

Dr Bronwyn Campbell has dedicated her career to advancing general practice through education, mentorship, and advocacy, with a particularly significant impact on the Waikato region. Over more than a decade as a Lead Medical Educator in the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP), she has trained and supported countless registrars, many of whom have gone on to become educators and leaders themselves. Her work has combined academic excellence with strong pastoral care, ensuring trainees are both well prepared and well supported.

She has championed high-quality, comprehensive training and she has brought the insight of rural practice, youth-focused services, and professional supervision into her teaching. Beyond formal education, she has supported many colleagues through mentorship and supervision, strengthening the wider workforce. Widely respected for her generosity, quiet leadership, and collaborative approach, Dr Campbell has made an enduring contribution to general practice in Aotearoa.

Dr Rona Carroll | Wellington

Dr Rona Carroll has made a significant contribution to primary care in Wellington and beyond through her clinical leadership, research, and advocacy. As a GP at Mauri Ora, Victoria University of Wellington’s student health service, she has focused particularly on gender-affirming healthcare, while also contributing to wider primary care in sexual and reproductive health. Her work has improved support for patients who often encounter barriers to care and has helped strengthen knowledge and confidence across the wider sector.

Alongside her clinical work, Dr Carroll is a senior lecturer at the University of Otago, Wellington, where she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students and supervises research. She has published extensively in the field of gender-affirming healthcare, led the update of Aotearoa’s gender-affirming healthcare guidelines and helped establish primary care hormone therapy initiation guidelines.

She is part of a national training initiative to build confidence in how primary care supports trans and non-binary patients. As past Vice President of The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) and a founding member of Pride in Health Trust, she has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to equity, collaboration, and better care for underserved communities.

Dr Lucy Gibberd | New Plymouth

Dr Lucy Gibberd has had a significant and enduring influence on general practice, particularly through her commitment to GP education and workforce sustainability in Taranaki. Across many years she has served as a medical educator, Lead Medical Educator, in-practice teacher, learning group facilitator, and examiner, shaping a large number of registrars who now practise in Taranaki and throughout New Zealand. Her work has strengthened both the capability and confidence of the next generation of GPs.

Dr Gibberd showed early vision in recognising the importance of local training and has been instrumental in establishing and sustaining opportunities for registrars to train in the region. Through practice leadership, mentorship, and clinical governance, she has also encouraged other GPs into educator roles and fostered strong local professional connection. Her commitment to stewardship, equity, collaboration, and innovation has improved regional training capacity and helped ensure stronger access to care for communities in Taranaki.

Dr Sue Tutty | Auckland

Dr Sue Tutty has made a substantial contribution to general practice through her long-standing service to patients, high-needs communities, and the profession. For nearly 30 years she has served in Ōtara, South Auckland, combining frontline clinical care with a strong commitment to improving access and quality for those who need it most through contributions to guideline development and representation on national groups. Her leadership in women’s health, diabetes care, integrated care, and long-acting reversible contraception has strengthened systems, improved clinical processes, and supported more timely care closer to home.

Dr Tutty has also been a respected leader in continuing medical education, contributing through the Goodfellow Unit’s Webinar series, university teaching, and has provided support for College education and assessment. Her long service within the Auckland Faculty Executive and the National Advisory Council has strengthened collegiality and connection within the profession. Through all aspects of her work, Dr Tutty has consistently demonstrated stewardship, equity, collaboration, and innovation in service of better outcomes for patients and whānau.

You can find the full list of 2026 award recipients on the College website: Awards | RNZCGP