Dr Boris Mak Rehabilitation Medicine Trainee Award for Best Presentation
Applications closed 4 July 2025.
The prize is awarded for the best presentation by an Aotearoa New Zealand AFRM trainee at the annual New Zealand Rehabilitation Medicine Symposium.
This prize is made possible through the generosity of Dr Boris Mak's family.
2025 Recipients
Dr Casey Smith | 2025 first place recipient
Casey Smith is a first-year trainee rehabilitation medicine registrar currently based at the Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch. She grew up in Auckland and studied medicine in Otago before eventually settling in Christchurch, which now feels like home.
Casey came to rehabilitation somewhat unexpectedly, taking a spinal rotation on a whim as a house officer to better understand spinal cord injury in a supportive setting. What began as a personal challenge quickly became a professional passion. She is thoroughly enjoying being part of a specialty that is flexible, collaborative, and fundamentally patient-focused at its core.
Outside of work, Casey describes herself as a shopaholic and enjoys theatre, musicals, and anything creative. She also loves good food—specifically oysters, spicy dishes, and anything deep-fried.
Dr Hanna Hsieh | 2025 second place recipient
Eligibility
This award is open to Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) trainees residing in Aotearoa New Zealand only.
Prizes
- First place: NZD$1000
- Second place: NZD$500
Apply
Read the terms and conditions and abstract guidelines (PDF) before applying.
You must email your application form and abstract as a single PDF file to AoNZ_AFRM@racp.org.nz by the deadline.
The College's Conflicts of Interest Policy (PDF) and Privacy Policy apply to the prize applicants and recipient.
Dr Boris Mak Rehabilitation Medicine Trainee Award for Best Presentation
Abstract guidelines
The abstract should not exceed 250 words in length (excluding headers).
The abstract should be limited to text only.
The abstract should be structured with the following headings:
- Full title of abstract
- Author(s) names
- Author(s) addresses
- Background
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion/Conclusion
Note: Modification to suit your need is acceptable.
Selection process
- Trainees who apply will be required to present at the Annual New Zealand Rehabilitation Medicine Symposium.
- Trainees must present work in which they have made a significant contribution to the concept and execution. Originality is important but not a primary consideration.
- The method of selection is to be competitive and judges will consider and select on the basis of the following criteria:
- content (originality, significance and importance)
- presentation (clarity of verbal communication, use of visual aids)
- The presentation should be 10 minutes in length and can be about a trainee’s current research, an interesting case study with associated scientific educational information or a Rehabilitation Medicine ‘hot topic’ of interest. An additional 3 minutes is allocated at the end of the presentation for questions and answers.
- At least 3 judges will be identified and acknowledged at the start of judging.
2024 recipients
Dr Michael Dawson | First Place
Dr Somu Victor | Second Place
For more information on the Dr Boris Mak Rehabilitation Medicine Trainee Award, contact the Aotearoa NZ AFRM.
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Past recipients
Division, Faculty and Chapter Awards and Prizes