Former ACEM President, Associate Professor Andrew Singer, was made a Member (AM) in the General Division for ‘significant service to emergency medicine as a clinician, educator and administrator, and to professional medical organisations’.
Associate Professor Singer, who was President from 2004-2008, said, “It is always a great honour to be recognised for the work that you do. I have known (and provided references for) a number of Order of Australia recipients and have always been struck at how accomplished they were compared to me. It was quite a surprise to receive the notification, as I expected it to be another request for a reference on someone else who has done so much over the years. The recognition that I had received from my friends and colleagues in ACEM in being awarded the ACEM Medal and invited to give the Tom Hamilton Oration was more than enough for me.”
Professor Anthony FT Brown was made a Member (AM) in the General Division for ‘significant service to emergency medicine as a clinician, author and educator, and to professional organisations’.
Professor Brown, who has contributed to the College through various roles including Senior Examiner and has written several books on emergency medicine, said, “I am left speechless! I have always felt it has been such a privilege and pleasure looking after people in their unexpected moment of need (no one plans to go to Emergency on a certain day!), and I love the opportunity emergency medicine offers to teach on such a wide and eclectic group of patients.”
Dr Gary Ayton, Director of Emergency Medicine, Sunshine Hospital and has been at the hospital for over 28 years, was awarded the Medal (OAM) in the General Division for ‘service to emergency medicine’.
“I am deeply honoured to have received this very unexpected recognition," Dr Ayton said. "This award has been a very humbling experience as I reflect on what we all bring to emergency medicine, and the contributions made which often appear to be taken for granted but which in reality are valued by many. The award reminds me how proud we all should be of how we have met the many challenges head on.”
Also recognised was Dr Jeremy Raftos, awarded the Medal (OAM) in the General Division for ‘service to medicine, particularly to paediatrics’. Dr Raftos has served as a supervisor of ACEM trainees doing paediatric emergency medicine rotations.
Dr Judkins said: “I congratulate Andrew, Tony, Gary and Jeremy. Their successes should serve as an inspiration for all of us. They are a testament to the importance of emergency medicine throughout Australia and New Zealand.”
ACEM will publish further stories on their achievements in the coming weeks.