Aidan Curtis
A YOUNG Limestone Coast doctor added to his growing list of accolades after taking home an award which recognises his contributions to rural medicine.
The Limestone Coast Local Health Network’s (LCLHN) Harry Gaffney has been named the 2023 South Australian Junior Doctor of the Year.
The award, presented by South Australian Medical Education and Training (SA MET) and Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC), came in recognition of Dr Gaffney’s education and training work within LCLHN, and for his advocacy of rural healthcare across Australia.
Leading up to the announcement that he had won, Dr Gaffney said he was feeling humbled to have been nominated “alongside such talented peers”, which included fellow LCLHN doctor Vienna Tran.
“I was reflecting on the hard work, the mentors who have guided me, and the community I serve,” he said.
“Whether I received the award or not, I knew that the recognition meant that my efforts to improve healthcare, especially in rural settings, were being noticed – which is very humbling.”
Dr Gaffney said the award was an affirmation of the hours, effort and passion he has poured into his work and credited all those who had played a part in his journey so far.
“This recognition is not just for me; it’s for our entire community, emphasising the importance of rural healthcare and showing that community engagement and high-quality, patient-centred care can be achieved no matter where you are,” he said.
“It reaffirms my commitment to medical education and training, patient-centred care, and advocacy for rural healthcare.
“For the LCLHN, I hope it serves as a catalyst for further healthcare innovation and strengthening the rural healthcare workforce in not only the Limestone Coast but regional and remote Australia as a whole.”
He also hoped the award was a source of inspiration for other junior doctors and healthcare professionals working in rural areas as it showed achievement was not confined to working in cities.
“There are unique challenges that can help all healthcare professionals build a stronger professional foundation in their careers,” Dr Gaffney said.
“There are also incredible opportunities to make a meaningful difference in these communities.
“The more talent and dedication we can bring to rural healthcare, the better the outcomes for these often-underserved areas.”
Despite the win, Dr Gaffney said he would not be resting on his laurels as the award was a reminder “there’s more work to be done”.
“I plan to continue my project work, advocacy, and community engagement to keep pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in rural healthcare,” he said.
“I’m also excited about potential collaborations that might come from this recognition, which will allow me to expand my reach and, hopefully, improve healthcare and community health outcomes on an even broader scale.”
Dr Gaffney will now go in the running for an overall Trans-Tasman Junior Doctor of the Year award against winners from other states and territories, including New Zealand.
