Foundation board member and program participants named among Australian Doctor’s 50 most influential people 2005
October 7, 2005Professor Paul Worley, a board member of the Rural Health Education Foundation, was named by Australian Doctor in their list of 50 most influential people of 2005. A panel of seven ‘medical industry types’ were charged with determining the 50 people with the most influence over general practice.
The criteria used as the basis of their recommendations was as follows;
- They have changed, or have the ability to change, general practice nationally – either directly or indirectly.
- When they speak, people listen; and/or when they do something people pay attention.
- They are living and working in Australia.
- Their ‘influence’ is current.
Professor Paul Worley sits on the board of directors of the Rural Health Education Foundation. He was named because he has been a major force behind getting junior doctors out of cities and universities and into rural placements. The Rural and Remote Areas Placement Program, which has 100 rural placements throughout Australia, grew out of his original idea to send medical students to country practices.
Professor Worley started out as a GP, and then took a post as senior lecturer in Flinders University, where he is now director of the rural clinical school.
Others listed in the top 50 who have been involved in Rural Health Education Foundation programs are:
- Dr John Aloizos
- Dr Ian Cameron
- Hon Mr Tony Abbott
- Professor Chris Del Mar
- Dr Sue Page
- Professor Ian Hickie
- Dr Vlad Matic
- Dr Michael Wooldridge
- Dr Col Owen
- Dr Ngiare Brown
- Dr Mark Wenitong
- Mr Philip Davies
- Dr Julie Thompson
- Dr Ron Tomlins
- Dr Rob Walters
- Dr Simon Willcock
Also on the list is Mr Will Delaat – Managing Director of Merck Sharp & Dohme, a long time corporate supporter of the Foundation.
The judges of the list were:
Nadine Meehan - Editor, Australian Doctor.
Dr Kerri Parnell - Medical editor, Australian Doctor.
Dr Norman Swan - Host of ABC Radio National’s The Health Report, consulting editor to Australian Doctor’s lifestyle magazine, Focus and facilitator to the Rural Health Education Foundation’s programs.
Emeritus Professor Max Kamien - Former head of the department of general practice at the University of WA.
Dr Di O’Halloran - Chair of the RACGP NSW faculty and chair of the General Practitioners Advisory Council.
Professor Nick Zwar - Professor of general practice at the University of NSW and a travel medicine expert.
Retractor - Columnist, Australian Doctor.
The complete article can be read here.