2024 GPTQ Bursary recipients
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Meet the 2024 recipients of our GPTQ Training and Research Bursary.
Dr Lisa Fraser
Rural GP and practice owner Dr Lisa Fraser has been awarded a bursary to complete further training in reproductive and sexual health.
Passionate about addressing health inequities, she is always seeking educational opportunities to better support her community as the only medical service in Gordonvale, North Queensland.
“My community has a large proportion of vulnerable people including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, those with disabilities, unemployed and elderly, and access to healthcare is limited by distance, availability and cost,” Dr Fraser said.
“Contraception and women's health is an area of poor health status and outcomes in rural areas. I hope that improving my skills in this area can benefit my community.”
Associate Professor Ewen McPhee AM
Practice owner and long-term Emerald resident GP, A/Prof Ewen McPhee has received a bursary to support his exploration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to support doctors to better utilise their time.
Since arriving in Emerald in 1989, he has served the diverse and changing health needs of the growing and largely disadvantaged community.
“Access to services is difficult, medication costs high, GP numbers low, and infrequent bulk billing options mean delays in seeking care and increased late presentations,” A/Prof McPhee said.
“With GPs being increasingly involved in higher level complex patients, risk assessment tools become critical and there is a need for real time AI analytics to assist the GP at point of care.”
Dr Rowan Gibbs
Former commercial fisherman turned GP Registrar Dr Rowan Gibbs has been awarded a bursary to support his training in critical areas for rural health.
Motivated by his time working in remote communities across Cape York and the Gulf Country, his goal is to advance his medical expertise and operate outreach clinics that bring both healthcare and hope to those in rural and remote areas.
“In rural settings, where each medical professional’s impact is magnified, the general practitioner’s role extends beyond the clinic walls, becoming a cornerstone of community wellbeing,” Dr Gibbs said.
“Through this bursary, I seek not only financial support but also partnership in a vision to make a tangible difference in the lives of Australians who are often forgotten.”
Dr Naomi Penna
Rural GP registrar Dr Naomi Penna has been awarded a bursary to support her research in the postpartum support available to mothers in rural and remote North Queensland.
“I am working part-time in a few clinical and non-clinical roles while raising our two-year-old son with my husband on our family owned MM7 mixed cropping and cattle farm 100km west of Charters Towers,” Dr Penna said.
“Given our family situation, I am committed to completing my Rural Generalist Training in the Charters Towers Region and working there indefinitely post fellowship.”
She hopes this research will support the development of a holistic postnatal care program, specifically for rural and remote mothers, to offer the support she never received herself as a new mother living remotely.
Pictured above: Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland and AMA Queensland Foundation Chair Dr Dilip Dhupelia with 2024 award recipients from left to right: Dr Lisa Fraser, A/Prof Ewen McPhee AM, Dr Rowan Gibbs and Dr Naomi Penna at the 2024 Foundation Charity Gala.
Have a great research or training idea for your community?
Find out when our next round of bursary applications are available for Queensland GPs or GPRs.