Inspiring GPs have been recognised for outstanding contributions to their communities at the Royal Australian College of GPs’ (RACGP) annual conference in Brisbane.
Each year, the College honours GPs, GP Supervisors, GP registrars and practices that have distinguished themselves by going above and beyond for their patients and colleagues.
RACGP award winners are available for interview.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the awards night, held during GP25, is an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable and often unheralded work of GPs and practice teams across Australia.
“Today’s awards are about celebrating GPs and practice teams going that extra mile for their patients,” he said.
“This is why GPs and practice teams are held in such high regard by their communities. We’re there when patients from all walks of life need us, and this year’s award winners have done some amazing and outstanding work.
“The 2025 GP of the year, Dr Rajeshwary Krishnan, known to her patients as Dr Raji, has been recognised for her to tireless and empathetic service to some of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
“In her community, Dr Raji is known to be a selfless and hardworking GP, including in the field of palliative care and through a ‘mobile clinic’ for culturally and linguistically diverse patients. Upon receiving her state RACGP award, Dr Raji said that ‘to be recognised by your peers is so humbling and a real honour’, and she deserves no less.
“Our general practice of the year, Sunraysia Medical Centre in Red Cliffs in Victoria, sets an example for practices across Australia, and prides itself by in combining state-of-the-art facilities while also excelling in strong patient-centred and community-minded approach.
“This is a practice that goes that extra mile in providing community education and health promotion. This includes local culturally and linguistically groups as well as conducting an annual men’s health seminar at the local Men’s Shed. It was great news to hear Dr Mehdi Sanatipour OAM say that it was an honour to receive the Victorian RACGP award, and I’m sure all their team members will be proud to know that they’ve been recognised at the national level at GP25.
“Our GP Supervisor of the Year, Dr Heather Munro, who practises in Firle in South Australia, demonstrates just how vital supervisors are to the future of general practice care.
“Her unwavering commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of GPs is outstanding. By all accounts, Dr Munro receives glowing feedback from colleagues and GPs she is training, not to mention her exceptional work as a GP helping patients in her community.
“Dr Munro has specialist expertise in a host of areas including chronic disease management, women’s health, family medicine, paediatrics, mental health, and much more. Her range of skills and knowledge is a great example of rural GPs, they perform such a wide range of care, and they’re there whenever needed for their patients. As rural and remote GPs often remind me, the richness and variety of rural and remote practice can sometimes be challenging, but it’s never boring.
“Our GP in Training of the Year, Dr Amireh Fakhouri, shows why the future of the general practice is looking so bright.
“Dr Fakhouri has undertaken tremendous work contributing to health equity in Victoria, particularly for refugee and asylum seeker communities. On receiving the Victorian award, Dr Fakhouri said that she saw it as a privilege to be a role model for the next generation of doctors.
“She said that she drew on her ‘resilience and determination from my Palestinian heritage, and I hope to show younger doctors that with perseverance, they can create meaningful change’. Those are wise words, and I wish Dr Fakhouri all the best in the years providing the highest level of care for her patients.”
Dr Wright also praised eminent award winners at GP25.
“This year’s Rose Hunt award, the most prestigious honour at the RACGP, goes to Western Australian GP, Adjunct Associate Professor Frank R Jones,” he said.
“Associate Professor Jones has made immense contributions to general practice at the highest levels over his nearly 45-year career.
“In addition to his incredible work with the Rural Flying Doctor Service as a GP obstetrician, and many years working at the Murray Medical Centre in Mandurah in Western Australia, he has held positions of authority and leaderships within the College and worked tirelessly in the education and training of medical students, and peers, over a long and dedicated career.
“Last, but certainly not least, the Future Leaders President's Medal goes to Dr Srishti Dutta. Dr Dutta is acknowledged not only as a strong leader, but someone who is always committed to equity and inclusion. She has worked to ensure that diverse representation is a priority for all leaders throughout the College. Dr Dutta was also honoured as the 2025 Queensland General Practice Supervisor of the Year, and I can’t think of a more worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”
~ENDS
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RACGP spokespeople are available for interviews: 03 8699 0992 / [email protected]. |
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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the peak representative organisation for general practice, the backbone of Australia’s health system. We set the standards for general practice, facilitate lifelong learning for GPs, connect the general practice community, and advocate for better health and wellbeing for all Australians. Visit www.racgp.org.au. To unsubscribe from RACGP media releases, click here.
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Media team: 03 8699 0992 / [email protected]