Recognising our rural champions

Meet the RACS Rural Surgeon Award recipients

For 20 years, RACS has recognised the immense contributions our Fellows have made towards communities in the rural, regional, and remote areas of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Their contributions have been acknowledged by the Rural Surgeons Award. Fellows who have displayed at least 10 years’ continuing involvement in the development of a high standard of surgery, commitment to quality assurance, and ongoing education and training of local healthcare staff are honoured and celebrated through peer nomination.

In 2022, Drs Michael Wilson and William (Bill) Ross were acknowledged for their significant work.

Dr Michael Wilson has been an otolaryngologist and a Fellow for more than 40 years, and for the past 30 years has practised at the Kilmore and District Hospital. He was the first ENT surgeon at the hospital and was the only practitioner in the area for more than 20 years. Since then, several ENT surgeons have joined to work alongside him.

Before Kilmore, Dr Wilson was the visiting surgeon at the Goulburn Valley Base Hospital and Swan Hill District Health.

In recognition of his work, he has received several awards including, RACS Educator of the Year, RACS Indigenous Health Medal, and RACS Certificate of Outstanding Service.

Dr Wilson is the Life Governor of the Kilmore and District Hospital and is admired by his patients, hospital staff, and colleagues. He was presented with the RACS Rural Surgeon Award at the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head And Neck Surgery meeting in August 2022.

Dr William (Bill) Ross has served the Coffs Harbour community for 24 years as a general surgeon specialising in breast and melanoma.

He established the breast cancer service in Coffs Harbour, implementing quality measures such as a breast multidisciplinary team and breast care nurse before they became the standard of care. He also established sentinel node biopsy for breast and melanoma in the region, ensuring patients had access to high-quality care locally.

A long-time surgical supervisor, FRACS examiner and teacher of RACS courses, Dr Ross has contributed extensively to the education and development of future surgeons. Along with these achievements, Dr Ross embodies the qualities of integrity, excellence, and community service that RACS values.

Do you know a rural surgeon who has made significant contributions to surgery in rural settings in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia? Please consider nominating them for the Rural Surgeons Award. Nominations are now open and must meet the criteria outlined in the policy. More information is available on the website https://bit.ly/3H2g9zt

Images (from left): Dr Michael Wilson; Dr Ross presented with his Rural Surgeons Award by Secretary for NSW Health Susan Pearce at the RACS NSW Rural Surgery Conference, Coffs Harbour, in October 2022.