RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas
Nominations for 2026 closed 31 August 2025.
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 Shermila Jayasinghe | 2026 recipient
Dr Jayasinghe is a consultant physician in the Internal Medicine Department at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.
Recognising a critical service gap, Dr Jayasinghe established the region's first specialist diabetes clinic in 2019, delivering specialist-led, multidisciplinary care to a population of over 50,000. This initiative significantly improved access to diabetes care in the region.
Dr Jayasinghe demonstrated exceptional leadership by initiating and developing specialist services in a region traditionally underserved. Her establishment of the East Gippsland diabetes clinic set a precedent for comprehensive, collaborative care involving educators, nurses, dietitians, and allied health professionals.
Dr Jayasinghe serves on the Department of Health's Project Advisory Group for Professional Supports for Rural and Remote Doctors and the National Medical Workforce Strategy (NMWS) panel, contributing to nationwide policy. Her mentorship of International Medical Graduates (IMGs), ACRRM trainees, and nurse practitioner students has increased the pool of trained professionals in rural areas.
Dr Jayasinghe’s ongoing contributions have strengthened local service delivery and helped to address health inequities in rural Victoria.
In recognition of the diabetes service Dr Jayasinghe established in Gippsland, she was awarded "Young Physician of the Year 2021" by the American College of Physicians.
See our past recipients
Prize
The RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas is formally presented at the College Convocation Ceremony. The recipient will be invited to attend the ceremony in person to receive the award, which includes return economy domestic or trans-Tasman airfares and accommodation.
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 isn't complete and can't be progressed unless all required documentation is received.
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 College Council will review all eligible nominations received and select an RACP Medal for Clinical Service in Rural and Remote Areas recipient.
The College Council reserves 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 Meritorious Awards and Prizes
Regional awards and prizes