In a first for Moree, staff of Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) have made a clean sweep of GP Synergy's New England/North West GP training awards, taking out all three regional awards on offer.
Pius X's practice manager Ros Rose was named Practice Manager of the Year, GP supervisor Dr Hamze Hamze was named Supervisor of the Year and GP in training Dr Nada Abu Alrub was named Registrar of the Year in GP Synergy's New England/North West GP training awards.
The trio were presented their awards during a special presentation at Pius X on Wednesday.
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Being named New England/North West Supervisor of the Year was a pleasant surprise for Dr Hamze Hamze who has been an accredited GP supervisor at Pius X AMS for the last four years.
"This means the world to me," Dr Hamze said during the presentation.
"I am very humbled and honoured. Thank you to everyone from GP Synergy and Pius.
"It's been an amazing journey ... I look forward to continuing this beautiful journey in outback NSW."
Training specialist GPs is a team effort, with doctors undertaking their three-to-four years of training in accredited general practices under the supervision of experienced GPs.
"The best thing about supervising GP registrars is the feeling that I'm helping train future generations of GPs who will be leaders and role models in their communities," Dr Hamze said.
"I'm motivated to be an active member of the GP community and to share my personal experience with future doctors."
GP in training Dr Nada Abu Alrub has spent almost two years training with Dr Hamze at Pius X AMS and was recognised as New England/North West Registrar of the Year for her passion for improving health in rural and remote communities and in particular Aboriginal health.
"Being a GP is the best way to gather all the aspects of medicine and surgery together in a wide scope of practice and learn more along the way to becoming a specialist in life," she said.
"I deliberately sought out an Aboriginal health training post at Pius X AMS as I believe we should work together to reach the best health outcomes and help close this gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
"I love my patients here and working with the Aboriginal community is the best thing I've done.
"It's been a difficult year with lots of uncertainty and changes during the COVID 19 pandemic, winning the award was a surprise to me and I am very thrilled."
Ros Rose was awarded New England/North West Practice Manager of the Year in recognition of her years of experience in working behind the scenes to maintain training accreditation and support registrars on their training journey.
"At Pius X AMS we supervise GP registrars so that they get first-hand knowledge of Aboriginal health and its hurdles," Ms Rose said.
"They bring enthusiasm and new ideas to Pius X AMS and are always keen to become involved in community programs."
Ms Rose said she was "absolutely amazed" at receiving the award - her first award ever.
"I feel so honoured and humbled," she said, choking back tears.
"It's not even because of me, it's because of this community. This community is incredible. It's why I do what I do. Thank you for letting me do it."
Meanwhile, Moree local Felicity Gemmell-Smith has been awarded the prestigious Dr Jeremy Bunker Outstanding Achievement Award for her dedication and commitment to GP education and training.
"Supporting doctors navigate their pathway through GP training and helping match them to rural towns that are the best fit for them, and their skills is the most rewarding part of my job," Ms Gemmell-Smith said.
"Rural generalist GPs have specialised skills that can help keep hospitals open and services available to rural residents, whether it's delivering babies, giving anaesthetics, or performing surgery.
"I'm humbled to have won, but I'm just part of the larger team of organisations working to improve the health of rural Australians."
Mrs Georgina van de Water, CEO of local general practice education and training provider GP Synergy, said all the award winners have displayed excellence and commitment in training our next generation of GPs.
"GP registrars make a significant contribution to primary health care provision in local communities, undertaking nearly 60,000 consultations across the New England/North West region in the first half of this year alone," she said.
"GP supervisors and practice staff play a crucial role in ensuring GP registrars develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand and meet local population health care needs.
"Across the New England/North West region, there are more than 60 accredited training facilities with over 70 GP supervisors, training GP registrars.
"GP Synergy is delighted to be able to present these awards in recognition of the commitment to excellence in general practice education and training displayed by each of the recipients."
