Coonabarabran-based GP, Associate Professor Aniello Iannuzzi, has been awarded NSW/ACT GP Supervisor of the Year by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

The Warrumbungle Medical Centre practice manager has been recognised for providing outstanding training guidance for registrar doctors under his supervision in Coonabarabran for many years.

Since 2005, Assoc. Prof. Iannuzzi has supervised 15 GP registrars participating in the Australian General Practice Training Program, with six of those registrars staying beyond their initial term, spending between two and four terms under his supervision.

Presently, three registrars are training at the surgery - Dr Charlotte Dobson, Dr Dash Strebel and latest recruit, Dr Jess Yabsley, with all committing to a further 12 months training in Coonabarabran.

Assoc. Prof. Iannuzzi said he was humbled to receive the award.

“It is a great honour to receive this award and I note that there are many GPs like me in communities across Australia doing all they can to train up future doctors,” he said.

“I really enjoy training and mentoring doctors and seeing them grow and develop before my eyes.

“It is a fine balancing act between always being available to help whilst promoting the independent decision-making you need as a clinician - once you build up their confidence they are good to go.”

Assoc. Prof. Iannuzzi said it was vital to train highly-skilled doctors to service rural communities.

“I hope I have done a good job instilling a sense of vocation and what it means to be a GP serving a rural community.

“For any future doctor considering a career in general practice in a rural or remote area, I would strongly recommend it. You quickly develop a strong connection to people in the local community and your work will certainly not be taken for granted.

“GPs training in rural or remote areas also find that their work has tremendous variety and their skill set accelerates rapidly.

“On any given day you could be helping a patient manage a chronic condition or mental health concern, delivering a baby or dealing with a public health emergency.”