The President's Message – January 2025
Welcome back to those of you who have had the opportunity to take a break over the holiday period and I hope it was relaxing.
I also know some of you will have worked throughout the break providing essential services to our patients and communities, and I hope you stayed safe and had a chance to rest.
We begin the year by acknowledging the dedication you show to your profession by congratulating and paying tribute to our 14 members recognised in the Australia Day Honours and Aotearoa New Zealand New Year Honours lists.
In Australia, Professor Allen Cheuk-Seng Cheng FRACP is made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division, for his eminent service to medicine as an epidemiologist, to infectious and communicable disease research and education, and to national and international public health policy.
Professor Thomas Gottlieb FRACP is made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division for distinguished service to medicine as an infectious disease and microbiology specialist, author and researcher, and to professional organisations.
Professor Graeme John Hankey FRACP is also made an Officer of the Order for distinguished service to medicine as a neurologist and stroke physician, to research, and as an editor and author.
The following Fellows are made Members of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
Dr Cameron John Bell FRACP, for significant service to gastroenterology medicine as a clinician and administrator.
Dr James Maurice Branley FRACP, for significant service to diagnostic pathology, and to medical administration.
Professor Paul Andrew Glare FAChPM, for significant service to medicine in the field of pain management and palliative care.
Dr James Markos FRACP, for significant service to medical education and research, particularly respiratory and sleep disorders.
Associate Professor Susan Elizabeth Mathers FRACP, for significant service to medicine as a clinician, and to neurological research.
Professor Stephen Peter McDonald FRACP, for significant service to kidney medicine as an administrator, researcher and clinician.
Professor Robert Gideon Weintraub FRACP, for significant service to paediatric medicine, and to medical research.
Dr Wally Ahmar FRACP and Dr Andre Conradie FRACP both receive the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to medicine, particularly cardiology and for service to medicine, and to community health respectively.
Dr Victoria Regina Ross FAFPHM receives the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service to public health within the Australian health system and the Australian Defence Force.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the late Associate Professor Malcolm Erskine Legget FRACP is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to cardiology and cancer treatment and research.
As many of our New Zealand members will know, Malcolm died in November last year at age 62 after fighting neuroendocrine cancer for 13 years and selflessly advocating for patients with this rare condition, driving research and securing public funding for treatment, all while living with the disease.
He was an outstanding cardiologist and contributor to his field, and his is a humbling story to recount.
Please join me in acknowledging Malcom and congratulating all of these other extraordinary members of the RACP.
Your College is proud of you.
You can read a full list of the Australia Day Honours here and a full list of the Aotearoa New Zealand New Year’s Honours here.
Kind regards
Professor Jennifer Martin
RACP President
RACP Foundation plays a vital role in supporting our members who are pursuing careers as clinician researchers and those wanting to advance their education and knowledge. Through its annual awards program, the Foundation provides much needed funding at critical stages of medical research careers and training pathways.
The research funding the RACP Foundation provides would not be possible without the support of our individual donors, corporate and institutional partners who have contributed significantly to the Foundation over a number of years. This year we celebrate some significant anniversaries of these important relationships. One of these is our 25-year partnership with Diabetes Australia
We thank Diabetes Australia for their support of RACP Foundation over the last 25 years through the RACP Diabetes Australia Fellowship, which was first awarded in 2000. This co-funded Fellowship has awarded $1 million over 25 years, empowering 20 RACP Fellows and trainees to transform healthcare and improve the lives of Australians with diabetes.
Without the support of Diabetes Australia and the support of our membership through donations to RACP Foundation, these co-funded Fellowships would not be possible.
Congratulations to the recipients of the RACP Foundation Research Awards and grants for 2025. These awards recognise and support outstanding contributions to medical research across a variety of disciplines. For a complete list of current and previous recipients, visit the RACP Foundation Award recipients webpages. Congratulations to all awardees for their exceptional work in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care.
Applications for funding in 2026 will open Thursday, 1 May 2025.
Listen now
The genomic understanding of cancer has transformed a tissue-based classification model that had been dominant for 150 years or more. The last three decades have seen highly targeted therapies developed at blistering pace, and unprecedented improvements in patient outcomes. To date, these advances have focused on more common cancers. The financing model for drug development means that rare cancers get overlooked, given the small pool of potential buyers relative to the costs and risks of investment.
However, the molecular targets characterised in more common cancers are often found in cancers of a different histotype. As such, precision therapies will sometimes have tissue-agnostic efficacy and offer a lifeline for patients with neglected diseases or cancers of unknown origin. Professor David Thomas has founded an NGO called Omico to enable such patients to undergo profiling for hundreds of potential molecular targets. In this interview he explains the rationale for the most promising pan cancer therapies, and in the next episode we discuss changes to the regulatory and funding model required to sustain this screening program.
Guest
Professor David Thomas FRACP PhD, Director, Centre for Molecular Oncology UNSW; Founder and Chief of Science, Omico
Please visit the Pomegranate Health webpage for a transcript and supporting references. Log on to MyCPD to record listening and reading as a prefilled learning activity. Subscribe to new episode email alerts or search for ‘Pomegranate Health’ in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox or any podcasting app.
My Health Record is a central hub for patient data, letters, and investigations, designed to enhance collaboration across the healthcare system. However, data from the Australian Digital Health Agency reveals that specialists are falling behind in registration and usage compared to other healthcare providers.
Are you using My Health Record in your practice? What’s working well, what’s not, and how can it be improved? Your insights are crucial to understanding the barriers and benefits of My Health Record for physicians like you. Take our quick, confidential survey – it’s just four minutes of your time. As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $250 gift card! Hurry, closes Friday, 28 February 2025.
Participate now
The NSW Parliament has launched an inquiry into foundational and disability supports for children and young people. This provides an opportunity to influence critical improvements in early intervention, diagnostics, workforce capacity, and cross-sector collaboration.
The Inquiry focuses on:
- closing service gaps in NSW
- embedding cultural safety and best practices
- implementing NDIS Review and Disability Royal Commission recommendations.
Supporting children with disabilities is an RACP priority. We've already provided detailed recommendations to the Department of Social Services on foundational supports for people with disability including children and their families and now need your insights to advocate for meaningful change at the state level.
Your voice matters! Share your feedback by COB Thursday, 3 March 2025 – and help build a fairer, more inclusive system for NSW families.
Find out more
Women & Leadership Australia is offering scholarships to support women to access world-class leadership and workplace skill development programs.
The Scholarships offer you:
- the ability to balance life and learning through flexible part-time delivery to fit your busy schedule
- essential work skills: combine cutting-edge theory with practical application
- targeted growth: choose from four leadership and workplace skill development courses.
Partial scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 AUD are available to support women at all levels, from entry-level to senior executives. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – places are limited. Apply by Friday, 28 March 2025.
Find out more
From 3 February 2025, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Abrysvo®, will be listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Eligible women who are at 28 to 36 weeks pregnancy will be able to receive the maternal RSV vaccine for free through the NIP, to protect their infant against RSV from birth and in their first few months of life.
RSV, a highly infectious virus, is the most common cause of respiratory infections in children and poses a significant risk to infants in their first six months of life. Infants with medical risk factors, such as being born very preterm at under 32 weeks gestation, have an increased risk of severe RSV disease. However, up to 80 per cent of infants and children who are hospitalised are otherwise healthy children with no predisposing conditions.
To prepare for the NIP maternal RSV vaccine program commencement, Professor Anthony Lawler, the Chief Medical Officer asks you to:
- order the RSV maternal vaccine, Abrysvo®, through the usual channels in your state or territory
- promote the free vaccine to eligible pregnant women, emphasising your recommendation as a trusted health professional
- consider opportunities to co-administer the RSV vaccine with the recommended whooping cough and influenza vaccines where appropriate
- ensure vaccine safety by verifying you are correctly administering the Abrysvo® RSV vaccine to your patient
- report all RSV and NIP vaccines you administer to the Australian Immunisation Register
- stay informed by subscribing to the NIP mailing list for the latest NIP updates.
More information:
More you may be interested in
As healthcare workers who dedicate our lives to helping others, it’s important to take the time to care for ourselves. We would like to remind everyone that it's okay to not be okay. If you need someone to talk to, you can reach out to the RACP Support Program. It's a free, 24/7 and completely confidential support service that is delivered externally through Converge International.
Whether you have something worrying on your mind, are finding getting out of bed to be a struggle, or just feel like talking to someone for helpful, judgement-free advice, this free support service may be just what you need.
Find out more
Did you know that RACP Benefits gives you exclusive access to a range of discounts and offers from leading brands and retailers in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand? Simply log in to the portal to start shopping and saving today. These special deals are exclusive to the College and made possible by our benefits partner, Member Benefits Australia.