Dr Gourley has held the position of Director of Emergency Medicine at Alice Springs Hospital since 2008 and is also the current Deputy Chair and ACEM representative of the National Rural Health Alliance.
He becomes the first FACEM from the Northern Territory to be elected to the position.
Dr Gourley has been a member of the Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnerships and a range of other College committees and entities for over a decade. He was appointed to the position of Chair of the Health System Reform Committee in 2020 and serves as a member of the College’s Rural, Regional and Remote Committee. He is also the current Chair of the Northern Territory Faculty Board.
On receiving news of the result Dr Gourley said, “I am excited and privileged to have been elected. It is a great honour and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and also meeting more FACEMs and trainees over the next few years.”
“I live and work in Alice Springs and I hope this result will encourage more of our Fellows to take a leap and work in the vibrant rural communities of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. There are so many exciting opportunities to enjoy a rewarding career in emergency medicine outside a major city."
“Equitable access to healthcare is a current prominent political issue. We need to reform the whole healthcare system to make it fit-for purpose so that we can continue to practice the high quality of care to patients we all want to provide. Emergency medicine is an essential part of driving this change and ACEM needs to be at the table to ensure this happens. I’m looking forward to building on the work of my predecessors and representing members and trainees in this endeavour.”
ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner congratulated Dr Gourley on his successful election.
“Stephen is well known and respected to many in the emergency medicine field, and medicine more widely," said Dr Skinner.
“He is regarded as a champion for improving rural, regional and remote healthcare, and has been significantly involved in College advocacy and healthcare system reform efforts, through a range of College roles."
“It is welcome also that Stephen’s successful election represents another milestone for our College, in the first FACEM from the Northern Territory to be elected President-Elect."
“I look forward to working with Stephen once he formally assumes his new role, and I am certain he will continue the proud tradition of advocacy, passion and reform which has characterised leaders of our College.”
Dr Skinner also acknowledged and thanked candidate Dr Peter Allely.
“Peter was an equally outstanding candidate, who has contributed immensely to the College through a range of roles.
“We thank Peter for putting himself forward – and for his exceptional passion and advocacy for emergency medicine."
“Peter remains significantly involved in College life, and we look forward to continuing to work with him. That we had two such outstanding candidates to choose from during this election is a reminder that ACEM is fortunate to have such a depth of passionate and committed leaders.”
Dr Gourley will take office as President-Elect at the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the College, which is to be held on Monday, 28 November 2022. He will serve one year in this position and then assume the role of ACEM President for two years.