NSW Rural Doctors Network Honours three local primary health professionals
30 November 2021
Two Shoalhaven GPs, Dr Vicki McCartney and Dr Jamie Starkey, have been awarded 2021 Rural Medical Service Awards for outstanding service for more than 35 years to the Shoalhaven region by the NSW Rural Doctors Network (NSW RDA). Meanwhile Goulburn-based practice manager and part practice owner, Kim Weeks has been awarded a Rural Health Service Award for more than 20 years of service in Goulburn.
Dr Vicki McCartney is part of a female trio that established their own general practice in 1998 in the Shoalhaven, which has now grown and evolved into a second practice.
In response to the news of the award Vicki said, “Thank you to the NSW RDA who have always worked so hard to encourage doctors to consider rural practice and supported GPs in many ways. I hope I have contributed in a small way to show the joys and rewards of a rural GP to all my students and registrars. Not all of them stay rural, but even their understanding of the challenges and reality of our role is valuable, I believe.”
(Image provided by NSW Rural Doctors Network - depicting Dr Vicki McCartney awardee from the 2021 Rural Medical Service Award)
Dr Jamie Starkey has served the Shoalhaven region as a GP in Nowra, Kiama and Albion Park for the past 35 years. Since 1986 he has practised at Worrigee Street Medical Centre in Nowra.
“It has been an honour to attend to the medical needs of the patients in the Shoalhaven region, both as a GP and an emergency doctor.
As I have aged my fields of expertise have also changed, this has been a constant but rewarding challenge,” said Dr Starkey.
Kim Weeks, started out at the Marima Medical Clinic in Goulburn as a practice nurse and became practice manager 20 years ago and is also now a part-owner of the practice. She is committed to investing broadly in education and training for the practice GPs and nursing team, as well as registrars and students. Registrars are full of admiration for Kim’s advocacy for patients, encouraging practice staff to strive to be their best and deliver the best care for patients, whilst making the practice a great place to work in.
You can read more about the Rural Medical Service Award and the other Awardess here.
Source; NSW Rural Doctors Network and GP Synergy
