Rural Health West Doctors Service Awards 2014
Contents Message from His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC Governor of Western Australia 3 Acknowledgement from the Chairman 4 Message from Wesfarmers Awards Sponsor 5 Message from WA Country Health Service Awards Sponsor 6 The Award for Outstanding Service to Rural and Remote Health 7 The Award for Remote and Clinically Challenging Medicine 8 The Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Outreach Services 9 The Award for Above and Beyond Community First 10 The Award for Outstanding Hospital Doctor 11 Recipients of 30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia 12 Recipients of 20 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia 18 2
His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC governor of western australia Message from His Excellency It was my honour, and a most pleasant duty, on the morning of Saturday 15 March 2014, to again present the Rural Health West Doctors Service Awards to the dedicated medical practitioners who serve the rural and remote communities of Western Australia. All who listened to the citations for each award recipient could not fail to be moved and filled with admiration for the outstanding service they have given to the communities in which they practise. They have, and deserve, the gratitute and affection of the people in those communities and the respect of the medical profession, of whom many have been mentored by them. This year is the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of Rural Health West. I congratulate this not-for-profit agency on the invaluable work it has done over the past quarter-century in the support and promotion of rural health services in the State of Western Australia. Congratulations to each of the 2014 recipients and also to their spouses and partners. As all of those honoured by these awards, and indeed (I am sure) everyone present at the ceremony, would fully agree that the encouragement and support of a spouse or partner is vital. That they give that support despite often long absences, telephone calls at any hour of the day or night and broken sleep is a great credit to them and deserves our applause. His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC Governor of Western Australia 3
Mr Grant Woodhams CHAIRMAN RURAL HEALTH WEST Acknowledgement from the Chairman Congratulations to the recipients of the Rural Health West Doctors Service Awards for 2014. These awards present a unique opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of rural doctors who have served regional and remote Western Australian communities for more than 20 or 30 years. Wesfarmers has been supporting these awards for the last six years and we are grateful for their ongoing support. The five special awards presented also provide rural communities with the unique opportunity to nominate a doctor who has provided outstanding or extraordinary service to their community. We would like to acknowledge the support of WA Country Health Service for two of these awards. I would also like to acknowledge the support provided by spouses and families to rural doctors. It was very noticeable that many of the recipients believed they would not have been able to do this work without that valuable support. In addition to the medical services they provide, many also contribute in a range of leadership roles in their communities. Finally, I would like to thank His Excellency, Mr Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC Governor of Western Australia, for once again presenting these awards. Grant Woodhams Chairman, Rural Health West 4
Richard Goyder MANAGING DIRECTOR WESFARMERS Message from Wesfarmers Awards sponsor Like thousands of others, our 200,000 employees across Australia and nearly 25,000 in Western Australia rely on the vital support of our doctors and health professionals. Wesfarmers is proud to support the Rural Health West Doctors Service Awards which recognise the invaluable contribution of doctors to rural communities. On behalf of our employees at Coles, Bunnings, Target, Kmart, Blackwoods, Wesfarmers Insurance, CSBP and the energy businesses, I congratulate the 2014 recipients of the Awards and thank them and all those nominated for their dedication. Richard Goyder Managing Director, Wesfarmers 5
Jeff Moffett CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WA COUNTRY HEALTH SERVICE Message from WA Country Health Service Awards sponsor Providing quality health care to one of the largest country health services in the world is a challenge that is well met in Western Australia, thanks to the dedicated people working in our hospitals and health services. Innovative technology such as Telehealth and the rising use of primary health services means people living in rural and remote areas across our State can access high quality health care as close to home as possible and to similar standards available in the metropolitan area. While services grow, it is the people delivering them and championing for better country health care that make the difference. This year s Award recipients represent the calibre of people working in our country health services. Both Dr Peter Lines and Dr Diane Mohen have been recognised for their outstanding commitment and dedication to country health and their passion towards providing the best health services possible. I congratulate them, and other nominees, for their passion, leadership and drive which makes WA Country Health what it is and which continues to pave the way for healthier communities in the future. Jeff Moffett Chief Executive Officer, WA Country Health Service 6
The Award for Outstanding Service to Rural and Remote Health Dr Andrew Taylor Duchess medical practice busselton Dr Andrew Taylor has spent the last 27 years dedicated to providing his services as a procedural general practitioner to the rural communities of Carnarvon, Manjimup and Busselton. His first experience of rural health medicine was in 1983, when he was seconded to Carnarvon Regional Hospital. In Manjimup, he truly impacted upon the community, beyond his eight years of employment. In partnership with only one other doctor, Dr Taylor worked tirelessly in his duties as a procedural general practitioner, working long hours with a smile and patience, for which the community loved him. He was very conscious of the need to not only treat the immediate health needs of patients but also address their emotional health. He was also involved in the community helping to rebuild and renovate the hospital and serving as a member in the Manjimup Baptist Church. Busselton saw the same compassionate and motivated attitude, dedicating himself whole-heartedly to his job as a procedural general practitioner and constantly working on call for obstetrics and anaesthetics at the local hospital. Throughout his years in rural medicine he has also been influential in his work with medical students, guiding and shaping the next generation of general practitioners. One student described him as the most encouraging and inspiring doctor I worked with and his support and encouragement ensured I completed my medical studies. His contribution to the teams he has worked with, communities he has lived in and students he has mentored has made him a much respected and loved doctor and this is why Dr Andrew Taylor is the recipient of the 2014 Award for Outstanding Service to Rural and Remote Health. 7
The Award for Remote and Clinically Challenging Medicine Dr Rosemary Lee indian ocean territories health service cocos (keeling) islands Dr Rosemary Lee is the sole medical practitioner working on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, one of Australia s most far flung territories located 2,980 kilometres from the Australian mainland. Prior to this position, she worked in isolated areas of the Kimberley as a medical practitioner and for the last four years has provided a committed and professional service to this isolated community. Her role there has been multi-faceted and requires a high degree of flexibility and exceptional clinical skills in a remote and challenging environment and includes providing primary health care, implementing health promotion programs and managing clinically challenging patients with limited resources prior to aero-medical transfer to the mainland. Dr Lee has been responsible for the evacuation and stabilisation of sick and injured mariners of sea vessels and assisting with initial assessments and care of refugees arriving from Sri Lanka by boat. Furthermore, she plays a vital role in the planning and implementation of disaster preparedness to ensure that the community and staff have the equipment, skills and knowledge to manage in an emergency. Dr Lee is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She is a great mentor to the small team and is culturally sensitive to the needs of the local Cocos Malay community, implementing culturally appropriate programs. The communities are so grateful to have her as a practitioner, colleague and friend. She has earned the utmost respect from her colleagues. As a result of her outstanding service to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and contribution to the welfare of the Kimberley communities, Dr Rosemary Lee is the 2014 recipient of the Award for Remote and Clinically Challenging Medicine. 8
The Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Outreach Services Dr Angus Turner rural and remote western australia Dr Angus Turner is a Western Australian trained ophthalmologist who completed his medical studies at The University of Western Australia and went on to study a PhD in ophthalmology at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He is dedicated to providing outreach services to rural and remote Western Australia, in particular, to Indigenous communities. With a regular visiting ophthalmologist to Broome, patient uptake increased as well as demand for additional visits. Dr Turner initiated an expansion of the Broome service through accessing an Australian Government initiative, Eye Health Teams for Rural Australia (EHTRA) that encouraged a multi-disciplinary approach to eye health, allowing further funding to be secured which included an orthoptist, theatre nurse and registrar. This service has ensured patients in Broome have regular access to high quality eye health service. He provides a large number of outreach services to the Kimberley including ophthalmology services to the Goldfields, Pilbara, Great Southern and South West regions as well as the Perth metropolitan area. Dr Turner is the Director of Lions Outback Vision. He leads the Kimberley Diabetic Eye Care Program which focuses on the preservation of sight and brings digital screening to the region with the most up-to-date technology and treatment plans tailored to the patients needs. His dedication to improving access to quality eye health care services is visible in the large number of outreach visits he completes each year. For his significant contribution to improving access to quality eye health care services for rural and remote Western Australian communities Dr Angus Turner is the recipient of the 2014 Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Outreach Services. 9
The Award for Above and Beyond Community First Dr Peter Lines narembeen medical centre narembeen Dr Peter Lines moved to Narembeen in December 2000 with his wife and daughter to commence practice at the Narembeen Medical Centre where he quickly established a reputation for providing an excellent standard of primary health care. As a result of this reputation, patients from adjoining towns commenced travelling to Narembeen to access a doctor who offered continuity. The benefits to the community of having the stability provided by a permanent doctor became quickly apparent. The Narembeen Memorial Hospital was utilising more of its potential, the continuance of the pharmacy became assured, a dentist commenced practice and, importantly, Narembeen residents became confident that many of their medical requirements could be met locally. Statistically, Wheatbelt residents are presently at the poorer end of the spectrum in many areas of health and wellbeing and this doctor discretely and supportively works with his patients, utilising any of the allied health care options available to him to improve patient outcomes. Dr Lines is very much at the front line of mental health in the Wheatbelt. He is a keen mentor for the John Flynn Placement program and consistently incorporates medical students from The University of Western Australia and The University of Notre Dame Australia into his practice. Both he and his wife have truly gone above and beyond to be generous and effective contributors to Narembeen. Dr Lines is an active member of the Lions Club, a core member of the local choir and Chairman of the Men s Shed. As a result of his exceptional level of medical care to the town of Narembeen and his significant contribution as a community member Dr Peter Lines is the 2014 recipient of the Award for Above and Beyond Community First. 10
The Award for Outstanding Hospital Doctor Dr Diane Mohen BUNBURY HOSPITAL at south west health campus BUNBURY Dr Diane Mohen has served the community of rural Western Australia since she completed her medical training in 1980. She commenced her career as a rural general practitioner, providing services in the towns of Narrogin, Kalgoorlie and Wyndham. Dr Mohen travelled abroad for two years as a volunteer with Australian Volunteers Abroad, before returning to Western Australia to undertake her obstetrics and gynaecology training, some of which was completed in the United Kingdom. She provided rural locum support to Geraldton and Port Hedland before settling in Bunbury where she commenced work with South West Gynaecology. Dr Mohen has been Chair of the RANZCOG Committee and past Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee in Bunbury. She has worked with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) for many years and is currently the director of the country section of the Statewide Obstetrics Support Unit, Obstetrics Clinical Lead for WACHS and Regional Head of Department for Bunbury Hospital at South West Health Campus Obstetrics Unit. Dr Mohen has exhibited outstanding leadership abilities, drive and vision in her many roles working with the communities in rural and remote Western Australia. She is noted as the country voice as a director with the Statewide Obstetrics Support Unit. She provides workforce direction, support and clinical governance and invaluable advice in her role as Area Director Clinical Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology with WACHS. Dr Mohen also sits on the GP Obstetrics Mentoring Committee and teaches, audits, advises, assesses and mediates. She maintains her clinical expertise and frequently assists patients, midwives, nurses and general practitioners in remote parts of Western Australia. For her work as an advocate of rural obstetricians and her role with WACHS, Dr Diane Mohen is the 2014 recipient of The Award for Outstanding Hospital Doctor. While this is a Hospital Doctor award you are this and so much more. 11
30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Graham Dale south west anaesthesia bunbury Dr Graham Dale was first attracted to rural practice by the opportunity to extend the benefits of specialist anaesthesia to Western Australian patients outside the metropolitan area and ultimately be able to establish the first nonmetropolitan Department of Anaesthesia. For him, the best thing about rural practice is working with a close knit group of colleagues and dealing with a wide variety of clinical work. For those considering rural practice, he advises choosing a partner whose career pathway would provide opportunities for rural practice and who would enjoy a rural lifestyle. Dr Dale also suggests to make the rural move early before family becomes too socially enmeshed in the city. His memorable moments are those where he has had a successful outcome from an accident or catastrophic illness that threatened someone s life and later seeing that person enjoying a good life. 12
30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Stephen Langford royal flying doctor service jandakot Dr Stephen Langford was first attracted to rural practice by the opportunity to use the wide range of clinical skills he had acquired, in the manner of a traditional real doctor. For him, the best thing about rural practice is the diversity of the scope of practice, from counselling or a skin rash to trauma and heart attacks. He also enjoys the opportunity to mix with a broad spectrum of people with a variety of interesting backgrounds, whom one might not normally encounter living in the suburbs. For those considering rural practice, he advises give it a go particularly when you are young and full of energy. Your clinical skills will mature significantly and there is always time in a long medical career to have other phases of your professional life if you wish. For Dr Langford, his memorable moments come from the satisfaction of a clever diagnosis; being able to treat someone well and make a difference; and from the gratitude of patients and families. His most memorable moment in recent years was the launch of the Royal Flying Doctor Service long range medical jet as it was a quantum leap forward and the result of many years of lobbying that has ushered in a new era of aeromedical services to the people of rural Western Australia. 13
30 or more years 30 of or service more years to rural of and service remote to rural and remote communities of Western Australia communities of Western Australia Dr Ian Taylor geraldton medical group geraldton Dr Ian Taylor was first attracted to rural practice by the wide scope of medical practice possible. He jumped at the chance to move to Geraldton as rural doctors have the real opportunity to be womb to tomb doctors. For him, the best thing about practising rurally is the strong sense of community that you do not get in the city. By practising in the one practice in the one town for thirty years he has developed long-term friendships with colleagues and patients. Being able to practise obstetrics and anaesthetics together has added further interest and challenges. Importantly, he has also learnt many important skills while in Geraldton such as how to catch fish, drive a four-wheel drive off road and act on stage. For others considering rural practice he says go for it! Make your ambition to be a rural doctor clear to your mentors and secure the training you will need to be competent and effective. Most importantly, pick the right partner. Dr Taylor said he could not have achieved his thirty years in the bush without the support of his family. His memorable moments include becoming an obstetrics grandad, flying over the Abrolhos Islands to assist in the evacuation of a patient and, really, the whole 30 years in Geraldton has been one long memorable moment! 14
30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Catherine Thorne doctor foster & associates south bunbury surgery bunbury Dr Catherine Thorne enjoys the rural lifestyle including the smaller, more intimate population base with medical facilities within easy reach. The rural placement has made it easier to balance her family/work life arrangements. For her, the main benefit of practising in a rural community is the ability to have a diversified work arrangement. Dr Thorne has always been a part-time general practitioner and working in a rural area has allowed her to look after her patients in the local hospital as well as to get to know them since many of the residents are permanent in Bunbury. She has also had the opportunity to be a theatre assistant in multiple areas of surgery thus often assisting in procedures on her own patients. This allows extra education and follow through of patients plus a good knowledge of the intricacies and expertise of the local surgeons. It also allows her to work in a team situation. For those considering rural practice, Dr Thorne would definitely advise them to choose a self-managed and not a corporate general practice. She thinks this is a very important issue since the medical practice control should be in the hands of the general practitioners who work there and has noticed that those who stay the longest in a general practice, are the ones in a private group arrangement. For her, the main highlight during her time in rural practice is that she has worked with other like-minded general practitioners who are always there for case discussion, humour and the common ultimate purpose of patientorientated care. 15
30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Peter Van Duren HEDLAND HEALTH CAMPUS PORT HEDLAND Dr Peter Van Duren was first attracted to rural life when, as a university student, he spent summer vacations working for Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) as a bin attendee in various Wheatbelt towns. For him, the best thing about rural practice is that the variety of work provides great professional satisfaction and a close second is the sense of community. For those considering rural practice he also advises to just do it! The sense of belonging to a community and the immense personal satisfaction make this a very viable career option. He has had some amazing and memorable experiences during his career and also some sphincter tightening ones which are all part and parcel of the diversity of cases that one is called to deal with. 16
30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Mark Zafir the surgery spencer park albany Dr Mark Zafir s first taste of the country was his rotation to Maryborough General Hospital, Queensland as an intern where he had a fantastic time and never wanted to return to the city. It gave him the opportunity to be his own doctor and learn to take responsibility for his own descisions which was a great drawcard. It also gave him the opportunity to practise anaesthetics, obstetrics and surgery. For Dr Zafir, the best thing about rural practice and the community is just that it is a community and it takes a while to get to know people but being a local doctor is a great in into the social/community aspects. He says that being of service to your patients and having the ability to follow them through their varying problems really makes his job worthwhile. Dr Zafir s advice to others considering rural practice is to go where you can be your own doctor. It will be the making of you and give you the confidence to be independent. He says he has many memorable highlights, particularly obstetrics (including difficult situations which turn out well) and delivering babies of his previous deliveries. Dr Zafir says teaching students has been a lot of fun as he watched their confidence grow. He also enjoys his long discussions with the elderly while getting to know them. 17
20 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia From left: Dr Susan Downes, Dr John Robinson, His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC Governor of Western Australia, Dr Malcolm Broom, Dr Anthony King, Mr Grant Woodhams (Rural Health West Chairman) and Dr Rupert Backhouse. 18
2014 recipients Special Awards Dr Rosemary Lee * Dr Peter Lines Dr Diane Mohen Dr Andrew Taylor Dr Angus Turner 20 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Rupert Backhouse Dr John Mateljan * Dr Malcolm Broom Dr John Robinson Dr Paul Buckeridge * Dr John Spencer * Dr Susan Downes Dr Ted Venables * Dr Anthony King 30 or more years of service to rural and remote communities of Western Australia Dr Graham Dale Dr Catherine Thorne * Dr Stephen Langford Dr Peter Van Duren Dr James Lie * Dr Mark Zafir * Dr Ian Taylor * Recipients who were unable to attend the Awards ceremony. 19
PO Box 433 Nedlands Western Australia 6909 Level 2, 10 Stirling Highway Nedlands Western Australia 6009 Telephone +61 8 6389 4500 Facsimile +61 8 6389 4501 Email info@ruralhealthwest.com.au Web www.ruralhealthwest.com.au