The AMA (WA)’s Awards Night and Charity Gala Dinner was held on Saturday May 21 and saw the recognition of a number of citizens for their contribution to health in Western Australia.
The AMA (WA) Award, known as the Hippo, recognises those who have made a significant impact in advancing the cause of medicine and improving the health and quality of life – not just for those resident in WA but for people throughout the world – went to Winthrop Professor Marcus Atlas. Prof Atlas is the inaugural Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of WA. He is also the founding Director of Ear Science Institute Australia and a world renowned ear and base of skull surgeon.
The Camille Michener Legacy Award - Junior Doctor of the Year 2011, was won by Dr Marcus Dabner. Dr Dabner is an Anatomical Pathology Trainee, having previously started his medical career in Tasmania before moving to WA where he is currently the Chair of the Training Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Pathologists Australia.
The AMA (WA) / Healthway Healthier WA Award, was won by the Cheers for Ears Program, a hearing loss prevention and education program targeted at school aged children. Established by the Ear Science Institute of Australia, the program seeks to deliver a message of how young people can care for their ears and therefore their hearing in later years.
The 2011 President’s Award, the major award to a non-medical individual who has contributed to the WA community in an outstanding way, went to WA Governor designate Malcolm McCusker QC, AO.
Those attending the award night and dinner included: AMA (WA) President Associate Professor David Mountain; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Julie Bishop; Federal opposition Assistant Treasurer, Mathias Cormann; Minister for Mental Health and Disability Services Helen Morton; Deputy Leader of Opposition and spokesman for Health, Roger Cook; Federal Member for Hasluck, Ken Wyatt; MP for Alfred Cove, Dr Janet Woollard and Chair of the AMA (WA) Foundation and former AMA National President Dr Keith Woollard; chair of the Heathway and former AMA Federal President, Associate Professor Rosanna Capolingua.
The 400-strong audience was entertained by the Scared Weird Little Guys comedy duo and a spectacular fashion show sponsored by Barbagallo Motors.