Resilience and sustainability in the Northern Territory

For nearly 20 years, general and acute care physician Dr Simon Quilty has witnessed up-close the poverty that inflicts indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The conditions are exacerbated by systems failures and lack of health care. Despite the incredible challenges, there are opportuni…

A surgeon’s journey from Texas to Queensland

When Dr Emilia Dauway decided to relocate to regional Queensland from Texas, she didn’t intend for it to be permanent. The 40-bed Queensland hospital she relocated to was a far cry from the 700-bed academic hospital in the US where she was Chief of Breast Surgery and Director of the Breast Cancer …

Striving for better Indigenous health

The Surgical Education & Training (SET) One-Year scholarship that Dr Jamie-Lee Rahiri received is an opportunity she says to help continue her passion to promote health equity among Indigenous people, particularly among the Maori and Pacifika community of Aotearoa New Zealand. That passion is exem…

Welcome the new RACS President

This month, we welcome the College’s new president, Associate Professor Kerin Fielding. Based in the New South Wales regional centre of Wagga Wagga since 1992, Assoc Prof Fielding has been a role model to younger surgeons working in rural areas.  She was the first woman in New South Wales to becom…

Pathway for specialist international medical graduates

Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) with formal postgraduate specialist qualifications in surgery who wish to work in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand can apply to RACS for an assessment of their qualifications and experience. Graeme Campbell, Clinical Director for SIMG Assessment…

RACS 2023 ASC – Equity in Surgery

The 2023 RACS Annual Scientific Congress will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 1-5 May. There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to prepare for what should be an exciting event, with a variety of topics and speakers. The theme this year is ‘Equity in Surgery’. Convener of the 2023 R…

Great strides in combating trauma

RACS’s Trauma Committee has been pivotal in helping prevent acute trauma in the community. That includes encouraging surgeons to pursue a trauma specialty. Instrumental to its success is Dr Li Hsee, who stepped down as Chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand Trauma Committee in late 2022, after eight ye…

It’s hip to be active – from world champ to surgeon

Dr Mat Brick’s journey into the world of surgery wasn’t the most conventional.  He studied at medical school, but shifted direction to focus on running and cycling. He is a two-time world champion duathlete and he’s represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the world championship level in cycling. That p…

Pride in Medicine – building awareness and respect

WorldPride is the biggest event on the world’s LGBTQIA+ calendar. This year, it’s being hosted by Sydney – the first time WorldPride is held in the Southern hemisphere – coinciding with the iconic Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. This year, RACS is participating in WorldPride alongside several othe…

Freeing up cashflow for surgeons

Economically, it’s a tough time right now. Interest rates are rising, there are labour shortages, residential rents are up, house prices are down, almost everything is more expensive – all these issues are exacerbated by world events including the war in Ukraine.  And that means cash flow is tight …