Margot Nott Scholarship in Palliative Medicine
2026 applications open 1 August to 30 September 2025.
The Margot Nott Scholarship has been established to support Palliative Medicine Advanced Trainees in South Australia.
Purpose:To assist with training fees and provide stipend support
Value: $20,000 per annum for up to 3 years
Dr Samuel Owen | 2025 recipient
Dr Sam Owen is currently working as an Advanced Trainee in Palliative Medicine at the Flinders Medical Centre. He is originally from the UK having moved to Australia in 2017 after completing his undergraduate medical degree at Southampton University and subsequent foundation training in the South West of England. Prior to commencing medical training he worked as a paramedic and among other things a marine biologist and science lecturer.
His interest in palliative medicine developed while completing rural general practice training, which he undertook within Northern NSW. Following completion of his FRACGP fellowship, he worked in various remote Aboriginal Health Services, emergency departments and for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This work highlighted the crucial importance of comprehensive palliative medicine for patients and their families living in rural and remote regions of South Australia.
He relocated to South Australia in 2022 to raise his young family and is passionate about the opportunity to continue to develop his experience and knowledge through the advanced training program and to provide specialist palliative services to the population of South Australia.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- a resident of South Australia
- undertaking or about to commence training in the RACP Advanced Training in Palliative Medicine Program
Apply
Read the terms and conditions before applying.
Your application must be submitted in a single PDF file to foundation@racp.edu.au including:
- a completed application form
- your CV (maximum 5 pages)
- 2 letters of reference
- a copy of your current Palliative Medicine advanced training application form
The College Conflicts Of Interest Policy (PDF) and Privacy Policy apply to the prize nominees and recipient.
Download application form (DOC)
Selection process
A selection panel comprised of representatives from the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine (AChPM) Training Committee and Palliative Medicine Services in South Australia will assess all eligible applications.
For more information about the Margot Nott Scholarship, contact Foundation@racp.edu.au
Past recipients
Dr Chirag Patel | 2024 recipient
Dr Chirag Patel is a dual-trained pharmacist and rural generalist clinician/researcher who is an Advanced Trainee in Palliative Medicine. He is currently working at Modbury Hospital in the Palliative Care Unit.
Before completing his postgraduate medical degree at Cardiff University, UK, he completed his Master's in Pharmacy with Honours at the same university, undertaking research in quality of life in health. He moved to Australia in 2014 and was immediately drawn towards rural health in South Australia. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2018 and most recently received the inaugural Rural Generalist Fellowship. As part of his initial rural training, he acquired skills relevant to rural Emergency Medicine and Palliative Medicine that helped him immensely during his journey to become a rural generalist.
Dr Chirag Patel’s passion for rural health care, particularly palliative care, stemmed from his experience in this area and observing the inequity that residents with a life-limiting illness faced. This led to his commitment to complete advanced specialist training in Palliative Medicine, hoping to contribute towards better palliative care provision in rural areas.
Dr Eleanor Farrall | 2023 recipient
Dr Eleanor Farrall is an Advanced Trainee in Palliative Care, currently working in the Palliative Care Unit at Modbury Hospital. Dr Farrall feels privileged to work in a field where she has a strong sense of vocation.
She says, “Palliative Care encapsulates many of the core values I feel are integral to good medical care. It takes a holistic, ‘whole of person’ approach. It is person-centered rather than ‘disease-centered’. Working with patients at such a critical time, achieving their goals and focusing on their quality of life, is so rewarding and an honour to be a part of.”
Before completing her post graduate medical degree at Flinders University, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology with Honours, undertaking research in a cancer biology laboratory at Flinders University. This began her keen interest in cancer biology, and medicine, but it was a formative experience as a night shift Emergency Department intern that ignited her passion for supportive care of cancer patients, and indeed patients with any advanced life-limiting diagnosis.
Dr Farrall is looking forward to a career in Palliative Care, caring for these patients and supporting colleagues also involved in their care.