Eric Susman Prize
Nominations closed 15 August 2025.
The Eric Susman Prize is a prestigious award presented by the College for best contribution to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine (adult medicine and paediatrics). Learn about Dr Eric Susman who the prize honours.
Professor Asha Bowen | 2025 Recipient
Professor Asha Bowen OAM is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital and Head of the Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia. She has dedicated her career to reducing the burden of skin infections for Aboriginal children in Australia and is one of the nation’s leading clinician-scientists.
Her research focuses on reducing the burden of infectious diseases that lead to rheumatic heart disease, with studies spanning from bush (remote clinical trials: SToP Trial 2017-24; Missing Piece 2018-24), to bench (laboratory experiments on skin and throat pathogens; AMR experiments), to bedside (Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia trials to improve outcomes) and beyond (National Healthy Skin Guidelines, health promotion storybooks, and culturally relevant resources).
Professor Bowen has generated breakthrough new knowledge and health impacts in skin infection management for Aboriginal people in Australia. Her work has shaped policies and changed how health services support families. Through collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, she is helping to ensure all children in Australia have the opportunity for a healthier start to life.
Professor Bowen’s values guide her mission to create meaningful change with and for Aboriginal children, exemplifying the principles of excellence, equity, and impact that underpin the Eric Susman Prize.
See past Eric Susman Prize recipients.
Prize
The recipient is presented with the Eric Susman Medal at the College Convocation Ceremony and also receives $5,000 with an invitation to present their research at an RACP Event.
Eligibility
A nominee must be:
- a Fellow of the RACP, its Divisions, Faculties or Chapters
- nominated by a Fellow or trainee of the RACP
A nominee must not submit a nomination on their own behalf.
Nominate
Read the Terms and Conditions for College meritorious awards and prizes by nomination before submitting a nomination.
Inform the nominee of your intent to submit a nomination.
Email a completed nomination form addressing the selection criteria to foundation@racp.edu.au together with:
- 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.
Nomination form (DOC)
Selection criteria
The Eric Susman Prize recipient will have demonstrated an outstanding and lasting contribution to the field of internal medicine in the areas of research, teaching and/or clinical medicine.
Your nomination must:
- identify 2 key pieces of the published work by the nominee during the 5-year period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2024 that:
- highlight the nominee’s contribution to research and the impact the research has had
- have the nominee as the major contributor
Note: 'Published work' is generally defined as being available to the profession by means of either books or articles published in recognised scientific journals.
- demonstrate the nominee's sustained ongoing links with Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand
- give an appreciation and evaluation of the contribution of the nominee over the relevant period, including:
- details of the contribution made by the person nominated in the field of internal medicine (research, teaching or clinical medicine)
- the originality of the research and the standing of the nominee in his or her branch of medicine
- an assessment of the contribution of the nominee in relation to others in the field
- provide information around the translation into clinical practice and impact
- indicate the best articles in support of the nominee
Selection process
The Grants Advisory Committee takes into consideration whether:
- the work has a strong and direct bearing on clinical medicine and contains a component of patient care
- the nominee is an ordinary Fellow rather than a someone admitted to Fellowship by a special provision
The Grants Advisory Committee reserves the right not to award the Eric Susman Prize if nominations received do not meet the high standards required for this award.