NSW Rural Generalist Dr Merran Auland has been named a recipient of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Distinguished Service Award, recognising her influential work in medical regulation, assessment, education and mentorship. 

Dr Auland was formally presented with the award at the Rural Medicine Australia 2026 conference, held in Tarndanya (Adelaide) from 21–24 October. 

A Rural Generalist Anaesthetist, Dr Auland works as a General Practitioner Visiting Medical Officer providing anaesthetic and emergency care in NSW hospitals. 

Her career has also taken her across western New South Wales, including Nyngan, Mudgee, Bourke, Bathurst and Broken Hill.. She and her partner now farm in the Hunter. 

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Dr Auland’s contribution reaches well beyond the communities in which she practises. 

“Merran has helped shape the standards expected of Rural Generalists across Australia,” Dr Martin says. 

“Her work in assessment, examination development and medical regulation helps ensure rural and remote communities are cared for by highly skilled doctors who can deliver safe, high-quality care across a broad range of settings. 

“A great deal of this work takes place behind the scenes. It requires enormous expertise, sound judgement and countless hours, but it is fundamental to the strength and integrity of the Rural Generalist profession.” 

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 Auland has also contributed extensively to teaching and assessment and to the delivery of ACRRM’s Rural Emergency Skills Training course. 

For almost a decade, she has represented ACRRM on the Medical Council of New South Wales, advocating for rural generalism to be appropriately understood and represented in medical regulation and professional standards. She has been passionate about Rural Generalists being evaluated by peers who have knowledge of the challenges (and rewards!) of delivering health care in rural and remote environments. 

Her leadership extends to the Remote Vocational Training Scheme, where she was appointed to the board in 2022 and was Deputy Chair in 2024.  

Dr Martin says Dr Auland is also widely respected for her support of other doctors, particularly women pursuing careers as Rural Generalists. 

“Merran is generous with her knowledge, her time and her encouragement,” he says. 

“She understands the professional and personal challenges that can come with rural and remote medicine and has been an important mentor and advocate for many Rural Generalists. 

“Through that support, she has strengthened individual careers and helped build a more connected and sustainable rural medical workforce.” 

Dr Auland says contributing to the education and development of other Rural Generalists has been a privilege. 

“I was proud to be involved in NSW medical regulation for nearly a decade during a period when rural generalism was still seeking formal recognition,” Dr Auland says. 

“While others worked tirelessly on RGs receiving broader national recognition, I advocated strongly for our expertise to be acknowledged. I advocated for ‘doctors like me’ to be assessed by ‘doctors like me’.” 

“Rural Generalists should be judged by Rural Generalists. Fair recognition and peer-based assessment are fundamental to maintaining standards and supporting the rural communities we serve.” 

The ACRRM Distinguished Service Award recognises College members who have made a long-term or significant contribution to the College or provided distinguished service to rural and remote communities.