Dr Hamish Steiner, who was instrumental in maintaining Bombala’s solely GP clinic open, has been awarded the Rural Medical doctors Affiliation of Australia’s Rural Physician of the Yr Award for 2021. 

The 55-year-old was recognised for his achievements over the 12 months, but additionally his total profession, as a GP based mostly in Cooma at a ceremony final evening. 

Dr Steiner is the primary physician within the Snowy Mountains to obtain the award and says he’s humbled by the popularity. 

“I used to be actually shocked to get it. It is an enormous honour,” he mentioned.

“I really feel like I do not deserve it as a lot as a few of the different rural medical doctors round, however I am very completely satisfied.”

Dr Steiner has been practising within the Snowy Monaro for the previous 25 years, and presently works at The Bombala Avenue Surgical procedure in Cooma and within the emergency division on the Cooma Hospital.

Final 12 months, he additionally helped take over the Bombala Medical Apply, Bombala’s solely GP clinic, which has struggled to draw medical doctors to the world.

He says if he may use the award for something, it will be to encourage extra medical doctors to maneuver to work in rural and regional areas of Australia to assist alleviate shortages. 

“There’s an actual scarcity of rural medical doctors. It is actually onerous to get folks to the nation, and to get them to remain,” he mentioned.

“I feel the federal government actually hasn’t put as a lot effort into rural drugs as they may have for the final 10 years.

A passionate mentor

Dr Kylie Fardell, who has been practising in Cooma for the previous 13 years, nominated Dr Steiner for the award. 

The RDAA Rural Physician of the Yr Award is introduced yearly to a rural physician who has proven distinctive work “above and past” the decision of obligation, and management in areas like bettering entry to high quality healthcare for his or her group.

Dr Fardell felt Dr Steiner fitted the invoice, particularly in his work in maintaining Bombala’s solely GP clinic from closing. 

“I assumed, ‘I do know somebody who meets that [criteria] in spades,'” she mentioned.

Amongst different qualities, the award additionally recognised Dr Steiner’s function in welcoming and educating medical college students and GPs over time.

“He is additionally actually famend for his monumental assist and mentoring for medical college students and junior medical doctors,” Dr Fardell mentioned.

“His nomination was supported by a registrar’s advice … speaking about what Hamish’s assist had been for them, not only for ‘medical doctors in coaching’ however for brand spanking new medical doctors within the space.

“He and his spouse exit of their means to ensure folks really feel comfy.”