The RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas recognises a Fellow who has provided outstanding clinical service in rural and remote areas of Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.

This prestigious prize is awarded annually at the RACP College Ceremony.

Dr Jim Croker | 2024 recipient

Dr Jim Croker has worked as a rheumatologist and general physician in Tamworth since 1988, both at Tamworth Hospital and in private rooms.  He has provided a rheumatology service for a large area of northwest NSW. As well as a focus on clinical work, he has enjoyed supervising and teaching medical students, resident medical officers and medical registrars. He is currently a conjoint lecturer at the University of New England, a member of the Senior Examining Panel of the RACP and Secretary to NSW Rheumatology Heads of Department. Living in Tamworth has enabled a rich involvement in a rural community and has provided a great environment to bring up his 4 children

See our past recipients

Eligibility

A nominee must be a Fellow of an RACP Division, Faculty and/or Chapter working in one or more rural and remote communities^*.

A nominee must not:

• submit a nomination on their own behalf
• be a current RACP Board member
• be a current RACP staff member
• have held the office of President of the RACP
• be a past recipient of the RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas

All RACP Fellows and trainees can nominate an eligible Fellow.

*The definition of rural and remote areas in Australia for the Prize is determined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification Remoteness Area (2016 classification: RA2, RA3, RA4 and RA5). In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Fellow must be working outside of an urban area.

Nominate

Read the Terms and Conditions for College meritorious awards and prizes by nomination and inform the nominee of your intention to submit a nomination.

Email a completed nomination form addressing the selection criteria to foundation@racp.edu.au including:

• CV of the nominee
• 2 letters of support
• other relevant supporting documentation (optional)

Note: A nomination is not complete and cannot be progressed unless all required documentation is received.

Download nomination form (DOC)

The College Conflicts of Interest Policy (PDF) and Privacy Policy apply.

Selection criteria

The RACP Medal for Clinical Services in Rural and Remote Areas recipient is someone who has demonstrated an outstanding and lasting impact in their rural and remote communities.

The assessment of the nominee's contribution in relation to others is an essential part of the nomination.

In your nomination, detail how the nominee has demonstrated all of the selection criteria:

1. Contribution to clinical service in rural and remote areas

What has been their significant and sustained contribution to clinical service in rural and remote areas of Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand?

2. Professional leadership

How has the nominee demonstrated outstanding leadership in developing and promoting initiatives to improve available clinical service available in rural and remote areas?

3. Advocacy

What significant advocacy has the nominee performed on behalf of rural and remote communities in regard to health policy, health research or other areas of health importance?

4. Mentoring and training

Describe the nominee's proven commitment to mentoring and training future and current physicians, medical graduates, and health practitioners.

Selection process

The RACP Fellowship Committee will review all eligible nominations received and select an RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas recipient.

The Fellowship Committee reserve the right not to select a recipient if all nominations received do not meet the high standards required for this award.

For more information about the RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas, contact the RACP Foundation.

Related content

Terms and conditions
Past prize recipients
College and Congress prizes
Regional awards and prizes