Outstanding doctors who embody the skill, dedication, and community spirit of Rural Generalist Medicine have been recognised.
Rural and remote communities thrive because of people who go above and beyond. We’re proud to announce the national and state recipients of the 2026 Excellence Awards, recognising remarkable leadership, clinical excellence, teaching and supervision, innovation, and community impact.
Congratulations to each recipient and to all nominees who continually lift the standard of care across Australia.
All state recipients went into the running for the national award for their relevant category, presented at Rural Medicine Australia (RMA) in Adelaide on 23 October 2026.
National Award Winners
Congratulations to A/Prof Brendan Carrigan from Queensland awarded ACRRM’s 2026 National Rural Health Research Award.
Based with Griffith University’s Rural Program and Rural Medical Education Australia in Toowoomba, Brendan leads research grounded in rural clinical practice and shaped by community needs.
His research has addressed rural workforce shortages, the sustainability of rural training and the need for evidence that reflects rural clinical settings. Brendan has secured more than $500,000 in competitive rural education research funding and supervised 146 Doctor of Medicine students across 30 rural research projects.
Congratulations to A/Prof Ewen McPhee from Queensland awarded ACRRM’s 2026 National Outstanding Contribution to Rural Practice Management Award.
A Rural Generalist Obstetrician and Practice Principal, Ewen has served the Emerald community since the early 1990s. His career has combined broad clinical practice with practice development, medical education and national rural health advocacy.
Under his leadership, Emerald Medical Group has expanded access to visiting specialists, allied health, diagnostic services and community health education.
Congratulations to Dr Jane Greacen from Victoria awarded ACRRM’s 2026 National Outstanding Contribution to First Nations Healthcare Award.
Jane spent almost 20 years caring for First Nations patients through the Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative. In 2008, she worked with local Elders to establish the Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal Health in East Gippsland.
When Jane established a medical practice in Bairnsdale, local Elders helped shape everything from the environment patients would enter to the way care would be provided. The result was Dr Jane’s Place, a mainstream general practice designed to be welcoming, culturally safe and respectful for First Nations patients.
Congratulations to Loni Schramm from the Northern Territory named ACRRM’s 2026 National Rural Generalist Medical Student of the Year.
After moving to the Northern Territory almost eight years ago and working as a counsellor supporting some of the Territory’s most vulnerable people, Loni realised she could make an even greater difference through Rural Generalist medicine.
Since then, she has led the Top End’s Rural Health Club, founded the Central Australian Remote Health Student Society in Alice Springs and developed more than 20 student and community initiatives designed to improve health education, strengthen cultural understanding and inspire future Rural Generalists.
Congratulations to Dr Revathy Carnagarin from Western Australia named ACRRM’s 2026 National Rural Generalist Registrar of the Year.
Revathy's work has helped establish the Midwest’s first dedicated Heart Failure Clinic, allowing more patients to receive coordinated, specialist-led care in Geraldton rather than travelling to Perth.
The clinic grew from her HOPE, Heart Failure Optimisation of Patient Education, project. After identifying gaps in local heart failure management, she brought together hospital clinicians, General Practitioners, Rural Generalists, and community partners to develop a service tailored to local patients.
Congratulations to Dr Adele van der Merwe from Victoria named ACRRM’s 2026 National Rural Generalist Supervisor of the Year.
Adele is a Rural Generalist Anaesthetist and Director of Anaesthetics and Perioperative Medicine at Maryborough District Health Service.
Known for her warmth, positivity, and strong advocacy for rural training, Adele supervises registrars across hospital and general practice settings. She encourages registrars to develop procedural skills and creates a safe environment where they can ask questions, learn from challenges, and grow in confidence.
Congratulations to Dr Christina Carroll from Tasmania named ACRRM’s 2026 National Rural Generalist Medical Educator of the Year.
Christina joined ACRRM’s Tasmanian medical education team last year after relocating from Parkes in New South Wales and has quickly made a significant contribution to Rural Generalist education across Tasmania and nationally.
Alongside her work with Tasmanian registrars, she supports ACRRM’s national education team with preparation for Case Based Discussion and Structured Assessment Using Multiple Patient Scenarios assessments.
Congratulations to Dr Greer Weaver from the Northern Territory named ACRRM’s 2026 National Rural Generalist of the Year.
Greer first arrived in the region as a registrar more than 15 years ago and chose to build her career and raise her family in Nhulunbuy, reflecting her deep and lasting commitment to the community.
A Senior Rural Generalist Anaesthetist, Greer works across emergency medicine, inpatient care, general practice, anaesthesia, procedural medicine, leadership, and education. She is the Emergency Department Clinical Lead and Deputy Director of Medical Services at Gove District Hospital and also provides community-based general practice care through Arnhem Family Medical Clinic.
Her longstanding contribution to rural medicine was previously recognised in 2021, when she received the ACRRM Distinguished Service Award.
Congratulations to Dr Dan Manahan, recipient of the 2026 ACRRM–RDAA Peter Graham ‘Cohuna’ Award, recognising outstanding advocacy and service to community and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of Rural Generalist skills.
The award is the highest honour conferred by ACRRM and RDAA, recognising an exceptional contribution to rural and remote healthcare.
The Distinguished Service Award recognises members who have made an outstanding contribution to ACRRM and to the health of rural and remote communities. This year, we're proud to celebrate four exceptional recipients:
- Dr Merran Auland
Since 2017, Dr Auland has played a leading role in the development of ACRRM assessments, including several years leading the writing of the Structured Assessment Using Multiple Patient Scenarios examination, known as StAMPS.
- Dr Graeme Fitzclarence
Over the past 16 years, Dr Fitzclarence has worked across rural Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia in general practice, emergency medicine, anaesthesia and palliative care.
- Dr Patrick Giddings
Dr Giddings has led the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) since it began as a pilot in 1999, championing a model that enables doctors to undertake specialist General Practice and Rural Generalist training while continuing to live and work in the communities that need them.
- Dr Richard Van Dissel
For 37 years, Dr Van Dissel has provided obstetric, hospital and emergency care to the Kapunda and Eudunda communities, often as the sole provider of local obstetric services and with a longstanding commitment to being on call.
State Award Winners
These students were awarded because they are highly engaged in their studies with a clear focus on becoming a Rural Generalist. They demonstrate strong commitment to training in rural and remote locations and show leadership by actively contributing to their community.
- Eloise Delaney (WA)
- Lauren Fawcett (SA)
- Loni Schramm (NT)
- Chantelle Takos (VIC)
- Dr Tabitha Jones (NSW/ACT)
- Parsa Javadpour (TAS)
- Miriam Baird (QLD)
Awarded to ACRRM registrars who are highly engaged in their training and Fellowship progression, with a strong commitment to rural, remote, and First Nations communities. They demonstrate outstanding patient care, leadership in their region, advocacy for registrars, and active contribution to the delivery of the ACRRM Rural Generalist Fellowship Program.
- Dr Revathy Carnagarin (WA)
- Dr Kyle Selga (SA)
- Dr Alexandra Tyler (NT)
- Dr Terri Hillier (VIC)
- Dr Meleseini Tai-Roche (NSW/ACT)
- Dr Farida Khawaja (TAS)
- Dr Sarah Rodgers (QLD)
Awarded to doctors who demonstrates excellence in best-practice care across rural, remote, and First Nations communities. They bring a broad scope of skills, deep commitment to community-centred care, and a strong understanding of the unique challenges of rural health. Their dedication to improving access and outcomes often sees them go above and beyond for their patients and communities.
- Dr Alice Fitzgerald (WA)
- Dr Hamish Eske (SA)
- Dr Greer Weaver (NT)
- Dr Stefanie Hammond (VIC)
- Dr Nicholas O'Ryan (NSW/ACT)
- Dr Aaron Hawkins (TAS)
- Dr Prue-Ellen Wallin (QLD)
Awarded to medical educators who demonstrates exceptional commitment to delivering ACRRM training and supporting registrars on their Fellowship journey. They show strong leadership in medical education, particularly in rural and remote contexts, and play a vital role in upskilling and guiding the next generation of Rural Generalists.
- Dr David Warhurst (SA)
- Dr Claire Arundell (VIC)
- Dr Susan Tyler-Freer (NSW/ACT)
- Dr Christina Carroll (TAS)
A honour that celebrates ACRRM Supervisors who demonstrate exceptional skills in clinical supervision and a deep commitment to the education, mentorship, and support of Rural Generalist registrars.
Their dedication to fostering positive learning environments in rural and remote communities helps registrars grow in confidence, capability, and clinical practice, while strengthening the future of Rural Generalism.
- Dr Adele van der Merwe (VIC)
- Dr Jane Cooper (TAS)
- Dr Tiffany Cover (QLD)