Whether it's helping keep more patients receiving treatment closer to home, improving the anaesthetic aspects of maternity care or mentoring the next generation of Rural Generalists, Dr Tom Ponsonby is always looking for ways to strengthen healthcare in South Gippsland and the Bass Coast.
The Rural Generalist Anaesthetist has been selected to attend the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's (ACRRM) Emerging Leaders Conference in Adelaide from 18–20 October 2026.
Working across South Gippsland and the Bass Coast regions, Dr Ponsonby has helped expand the range and complexity of procedures that can be safely performed locally, reducing the need for patients to travel to metropolitan hospitals. He has also played a role in establishing an ACRRM Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training position at Bayside Health’s regional hospitals at Wonthaggi and Leongatha, with the first trainee due to commence next year.
For Dr Ponsonby, leadership has never been about titles.
"I've always believed the role of a leader is not more important or prestigious than any other," he says.
"Leadership is a role of service and absolutely necessary for good outcomes in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Leaders will always deliver better results when they stay connected to what's happening on the frontline and understand the real issues facing patients, communities and healthcare teams."
Passionate about education, Dr Ponsonby enjoys mentoring medical students, junior doctors and registrars, believing today's registrars are the future of rural and remote healthcare.
"I'm always excited to meet people who are interested in a career as a Rural Generalist," he says.
"It’s such a fulfilling and exciting career. I’ve been lucky enough to spend time in the region as a medical student and registrar. I’ve learnt and continue to learn so much from my supervisors and colleagues which I’m really grateful for. Multiple times I’ve been faced with really challenging emergency situations which have shown just how vital it is to have highly trained doctors in hospitals outside the big cities. “Critical illness doesn’t respect geography” is a maxim I’ve learnt from rural generalists and seen to be true again and again.
“I hope I can help point students and junior doctors in the right direction because building a strong rural health workforce is one of the best investments we can make in our communities."
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Dr Ponsonby's enthusiasm for improving healthcare and supporting future Rural Generalists makes him an outstanding participant in the Emerging Leaders Conference.
"Tom is someone who doesn't just see opportunities for improvement — he gets involved and helps make them happen," Dr Martin says.
"His commitment to education, innovation and strengthening rural health services will benefit South Gippsland and other rural and remote communities for many years to come."
Dr Ponsonby says he's looking forward to learning from colleagues across Australia and bringing new ideas back home.
"I gain a lot from hearing other people's experiences, and I hope to bring those ideas back to continue strengthening healthcare in our community," he says.
The Rural Generalist Anaesthetist has been selected to attend the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's (ACRRM) Emerging Leaders Conference in Adelaide from 18–20 October 2026.
Working across South Gippsland and the Bass Coast regions, Dr Ponsonby has helped expand the range and complexity of procedures that can be safely performed locally, reducing the need for patients to travel to metropolitan hospitals. He has also played a role in establishing an ACRRM Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training position at Bayside Health’s regional hospitals at Wonthaggi and Leongatha, with the first trainee due to commence next year.
For Dr Ponsonby, leadership has never been about titles.
"I've always believed the role of a leader is not more important or prestigious than any other," he says.
"Leadership is a role of service and absolutely necessary for good outcomes in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Leaders will always deliver better results when they stay connected to what's happening on the frontline and understand the real issues facing patients, communities and healthcare teams."
Passionate about education, Dr Ponsonby enjoys mentoring medical students, junior doctors and registrars, believing today's registrars are the future of rural and remote healthcare.
"I'm always excited to meet people who are interested in a career as a Rural Generalist," he says.
"It’s such a fulfilling and exciting career. I’ve been lucky enough to spend time in the region as a medical student and registrar. I’ve learnt and continue to learn so much from my supervisors and colleagues which I’m really grateful for. Multiple times I’ve been faced with really challenging emergency situations which have shown just how vital it is to have highly trained doctors in hospitals outside the big cities. “Critical illness doesn’t respect geography” is a maxim I’ve learnt from rural generalists and seen to be true again and again.
“I hope I can help point students and junior doctors in the right direction because building a strong rural health workforce is one of the best investments we can make in our communities."
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Dr Ponsonby's enthusiasm for improving healthcare and supporting future Rural Generalists makes him an outstanding participant in the Emerging Leaders Conference.
"Tom is someone who doesn't just see opportunities for improvement — he gets involved and helps make them happen," Dr Martin says.
"His commitment to education, innovation and strengthening rural health services will benefit South Gippsland and other rural and remote communities for many years to come."
Dr Ponsonby says he's looking forward to learning from colleagues across Australia and bringing new ideas back home.
"I gain a lot from hearing other people's experiences, and I hope to bring those ideas back to continue strengthening healthcare in our community," he says.