AChAM Indigenous Prize

Applications closed Sunday, 13 April 2025.

The Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (AChAM) Indigenous Prize offers medical students, junior medical officers and registrars, who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori, the opportunity to attend the International Medicine in Addiction (IMiA) conference or Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) conference in alternating years.

The Prize provides educational and networking opportunities to connect and meet influential healthcare professionals, exposure to career pathways and supports an understanding of the health needs of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples. Recipients also gain insight into the work RACP conducts to help ‘Close the Gap’ – achieving equitable access to health and better outcomes for Indigenous peoples.


Dr Paula Kavalieros - Dr Paula Kavalieros Wiradjuri GP | Addiction Medicine Trainee | Justice Health Specialist | Aboriginal Health Advocate 
Dr Paula Kavalieros | 2025 recipient
Wiradjuri GP | Addiction Medicine Trainee | Justice Health Specialist | Aboriginal Health Advocate

Dr Paula Kavalieros is a Wiradjuri General Practitioner and Advanced Trainee in Addiction Medicine based on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

She has over 20 years of clinical and research experience across general practice, stroke and dementia, addiction, ADHD, and Aboriginal health.

She currently works as a Staff Specialist with Justice Health NSW Drug & Alcohol team, supporting access to care in custodial settings and in the Central Coast as a GP VMO with the Drug and Alcohol Service.

Her interests include the intersection of addiction, trauma, and cultural safety, with a strong commitment to reducing stigma in healthcare.

In addition to her medical training, Dr Kavalieros holds a past qualification of Certified Practising Accountant and Bachelor of Business, offering a systems-based approach to service delivery. She also provides specialist telehealth care through the ADHD Lifespan Clinic and is actively involved in Aboriginal community-controlled health services.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori
  • be a medical student, junior medical officer or registrar

Prize

The recipient will be reimbursed up to a total of $3,000 to attend either the IMiA or APSAD conference (whichever is applicable in the relevant year).

The reimbursement will cover:

  • conference registration - IMiA conference for the 2025 recipient
  • travel and accommodation 

Apply

Read the terms and conditions for awards and prizes valued under $5000 before you apply.

Submit your application form and supporting documents in a single PDF file to foundation@racp.edu.au including:

  • a written submission (500 words maximum) outlining the benefit you would gain from attending the conference, in respect to your:
    • current and future commitment to indigenous activities
    • interest in a career working with Indigenous peoples
    • interest in training with the RACP
    • current stage of training or medical career
  • 2 x letters of reference, professional or personal, supporting your application
  • your current CV (maximum three pages)

Download application form (DOC)

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

Selection process 

A selection panel, comprised of Fellows of the RACP and invited identified panellists, will assess all applications.

Once the selection panel has reached a decision, the RACP Foundation will contact all applicants about the outcome of their application.


For more information about the AChAM Indigenous Prize, contact us.


Related content

Past recipients
Terms and conditions
Indigenous scholarships and prizes

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