Each year RANZCOG presents a selection of nominated members with honours and awards to recognise their outstanding service and dedication to advancing women’s health. Nominations are considered by the College Honours Committee and awarded by the RANZCOG Board.
Congratulations to all the recipients of the 2024 RANZCOG Honours and Awards
President's Medal
Dr Sue Fleming
Retired Fellow
Dr Sue Fleming has been awarded the President’s Medal in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the work of the College. She has extensively served on multiple College Committees over many years, demonstrating strategic leadership and advocacy efforts.
The RANZCOG Board acknowledges her unwavering support for He Hono Wāhine and her dedication to promoting equity for Māori. Dr Fleming has been a champion of Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua, RANZCOG’s first Māori women’s health strategy. Her efforts have significantly advanced the College’s mission and improved women’s health care.
Professor Ian Symonds
Fellow
Professor Ian Symonds has been awarded the President’s Medal in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to multiple College Committees over many years and his incredible commitment to the advancement of education and training within the College.
Notably, he led the development of the New FRANZCOG Curriculum and made significant contributions to the College Prevocational Training Pathway and the 2023 AMC Accreditation Assessment. His visionary leadership and tireless efforts have significantly shaped the College’s educational landscape, benefiting countless trainees and professionals.
Honorary Fellowship
Prof Budi Wiweko
International Affiliate
Professor Budi Wiweko has been awarded the RANZCOG Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Women’s Health.
His leadership roles on numerous important committees of the Indonesian Medical Association and his involvement in multiple committees as a subspecialist in reproductive health have significantly advanced the field of reproductive medicine in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Additionally, his efforts to foster collaboration between RANZCOG and both the Indonesian College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (InaCOG) and POGI have been instrumental in strengthening the bonds between these organisations.
Dr Ranee Thakar
Dr Ranee Thakar has been awarded the RANZCOG Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to advancing women’s health. Her contributions have significantly impacted the field of obstetrics and gynaecology on both a national and international level.
As President, Dr Thakar has shown a resolute commitment to addressing inequalities in women’s health. Leading the Making Abortion Safe program in five sub-Saharan countries, she has profoundly impacted promoting safe abortion practices and improving access to contraception, thereby enhancing the health and well-being of women and girls globally.
Distinguished Service Medal
Prof Gabrielle Casper
Fellow
Dr Gabrielle Casper has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of her leadership and dedication to promoting women’s health and rights. Her significant impact in combating gender-based violence, improving healthcare equity and accessibility, and addressing the effects of climate and war on women’s health has been felt both in Australia and internationally.
Additionally, Dr Casper’s commitment to teaching, clinical excellence, and ethical practice has advanced the College’s mission and served as an exemplary role model for both experienced clinicians and trainees.
Dr Leigh Duncan
Fellow
Dr Leigh Duncan has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of her extraordinary contributions dedication to advancing Māori health and representation within the profession, including the re-establishment of He Hono Wāhine.
Dr Duncan’s significant contributions to the development and success of Te Rautaki Māori me Te Ara Whakamua, the Māori strategy and action plan for health equity, are particularly noteworthy. Additionally, her involvement in establishing a dedicated Māori position on the RANZCOG Council ensures that Māori perspectives and needs are represented at the highest levels of governance within the College.
Dr Leo Fogarty
Fellow
Dr Leo Fogarty has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the College over many years, particularly in rural areas. His dedication to providing outreach clinics and support to smaller rural towns, along with his efforts in recruiting and mentoring consultants and training countless trainees, has significantly improved access to care for women in these regions.
Even after retirement, Dr Fogarty’s willingness to return as Acting Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Northeast Health Wangaratta during severe workforce shortages exemplifies his unwavering commitment to women’s healthcare.
Dr Jackie Smalldridge
Fellow
Dr Jackie Smalldridge has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the College over many years in her efforts to support and build urogynaecology capacity nationally and internationally. Her volunteer work and dedication to training and delivering specialist urogynaecological surgery for women with fistula and prolapse in Uganda, the Pacific Islands, and Nepal is especially noteworthy.
Additionally, her representation of RANZCOG on the ACC Maternal Birth Injury advisory group and her advocacy for effective and equitable maternal birth injury cover for women have been commendable. Dr Smalldridge’s efforts to remove financial barriers for physiotherapy treatment and recognize psychological harm have profoundly impacted many women’s lives.
TV Excellence in Women’s Health Award
Dr Jane Elliott (AM)
Dr Jane Elliott has been awarded the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award in recognition of her significant contributions to Women’s Health over many years. Her leadership and advocacy, particularly in the field of menopause, have positively impacted both patients and colleagues.
The Board also acknowledges her commitment to teaching and mentoring medical students and RANZCOG trainees, as well as her involvement in clinical research trials across various areas of women’s health, including menopause, contraception, osteoporosis, and low libido. Dr Elliott’s work has played a pivotal role in strengthening services and resources available to support women’s health across the country.
Dr Anne-Sophie Rowcroft
TV Associate (Procedural)
Dr Anne-Sophie Rowcroft has been awarded the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award in recognition of her instrumental contribution to women’s health over many years. Her long-term commitment to caring for women in Niger, one of the most obstetrically disadvantaged countries in the world, has been exemplary.
Additionally, the RANZCOG Board acknowledges her dedication to promoting good mental health practices among healthcare professionals, particularly in highly traumatic settings
Dr Ruth Swarbrick
Fellow
Dr. Ruth Swarbrick has been awarded the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award in recognition of her significant contributions to Women’s Health. Her representation of the College in numerous guideline development and ministerial advisory groups has significantly influenced the landscape of women’s health care in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Board particularly notes her advocacy for equitable access to healthcare and contraceptive services, especially for marginalized populations. Her tireless efforts in these complex advocacy spaces and her dedication to improving contraception access and training at a national level make her a deserving recipient of this award.
TV Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Health Award
Dr Cathy Love
Dr Cathy Love has been awarded the RANZCOG Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Health Award in recognition of her significant contributions to Women’s Health through tireless advocacy for equitable access to obstetric care for First Nations women, rural and remote women, and women from developing nations.
Her longstanding relationships with the communities of Ceduna and Port Pirie, along with her extensive locum work supporting rural maternity units, have ensured these communities maintain faith in their local services. Notably, her efforts in re-establishing maternity services have given local women the opportunity and confidence to birth locally, a particularly commendable achievement.
Ms Isabelle Oderberg
Ms Isabelle Oderberg has been awarded the RANZCOG Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Health Award in recognition of her significant contributions as an author, journalist, and advocate. Her work has profoundly influenced public awareness and understanding of critical issues in women’s health, particularly around miscarriage, reproductive health, and mental well-being.
As the co-founder and chair of the Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition, Ms Oderberg has brought together sector leaders to advocate for change and was instrumental in coordinating the first-ever national miscarriage roundtable, convincing the Federal Government to commit to untied funding for miscarriage in a federal budget—an Australian first.
TV Early Career Fellow Award
Dr Leon Foster
Fellow
Dr Leon Foster has been awarded the RANZCOG Early Career Fellow Award in recognition of his significant contributions to Women’s Health through his remarkable dedication and perseverance in establishing the first local Gynaecology Oncology Service in Canberra. His efforts have significantly boosted the morale of the local O&G community and improved training opportunities for local trainees.
Dr Foster’s work not only improves individual patient outcomes but also enhances the overall healthcare landscape in the ACT region, ensuring that the community receives the same level of care as those in Sydney and Melbourne.
TV Early Career Fellow Award
Dr Leon Foster
Fellow
Dr Leon Foster has been awarded the RANZCOG Early Career Fellow Award in recognition of his significant contributions to Women’s Health through his remarkable dedication and perseverance in establishing the first local Gynaecology Oncology Service in Canberra. His efforts have significantly boosted the morale of the local O&G community and improved training opportunities for local trainees.
Dr Foster’s work not only improves individual patient outcomes but also enhances the overall healthcare landscape in the ACT region, ensuring that the community receives the same level of care as those in Sydney and Melbourne.
TV Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Medal
Dr Marilyn Clarke
Fellow
Dr Marilyn Clarke has been awarded the RANZCOG Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Award in recognition of her remarkable career and unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Her leadership in initiatives that have significantly enhanced healthcare access and quality for Indigenous communities, including efforts to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees, establish the RANZCOG Indigenous Network Group, and develop culturally appropriate healthcare resources, is truly commendable.
Additionally, Dr Clarke’s contributions as a clinician, educator, mentor, and researcher have had a lasting and transformative impact on both the medical community and the broader Indigenous population.
Māori Women’s Health Award
Te Aukume a Hine te Iwaiwa (Health of Māori Māmā and Pēpi)
Te Aukume a Hine te Iwaiwa has been awarded the RANZCOG Māori Women’s Health Award in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to advancing the health and well-being of wāhine Māori. Their mission to unite, inspire, and empower Māori researchers in pregnancy and women’s health clinical trial research has made a significant impact, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for Māori researchers and enhancing health outcomes for wāhine Māori.
Wellbeing Award
Dr Priti Pradhan
Fellow
Dr Priti Pradhan has been awarded the RANZCOG Wellbeing Award in recognition of her significant contributions to promoting and fostering wellbeing practices in the workplace. Her dedication to supporting and advocating for the wellbeing of staff, including RANZCOG trainees, unaccredited registrars, junior and senior medical staff, nursing and midwifery staff, and medical students, is commendable.
Dr Pradhan’s consistent and impactful efforts to enhance the wellbeing of her colleagues have made a lasting positive impact within the specialty
Dr Wendy Carseldine
Fellow
Dr Wendy Carseldine is awarded the RANZCOG Wellbeing Award in recognition of her significant contributions to promoting and fostering wellbeing practices in the workplace.
In her roles as Deputy Chair of a S&T TAC and Director of Training at a large tertiary hospital, she has set a new standard for integrating pregnancy and parental leave into medical training, improving work-life balance, and reducing gender bias within the training program. Her dedication to creating positive training experiences and advocating for trainee wellbeing is truly commendable.
Dr Mojgan Vatani
Fellow
Dr Mojgan Vatani is awarded the RANZCOG Wellbeing Award in recognition of her dedication to supporting the next generation of medical professionals.
As a longstanding training supervisor and more recently as a College Examiner, her unwavering commitment to the development and success of Adelaide-based RANZCOG trainees has earned her the reputation as the “go-to” mentor. Her focus on staff wellbeing and improving women’s experiences has significantly shaped the culture of holistic care and support at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Organisational Values Award
Dr Alison Bryant-Smith
Fellow
Dr Alison Bryant-Smith is awarded the RANZCOG Organisational Values Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to education, advocacy, and patient care.
Her high standards for surgical teaching and her creation of a respectful and kind atmosphere for patients and staff have significantly contributed to the development of surgical expertise among trainees and specialist staff at her hospital. Her guidance and mentorship, particularly in laparoscopic gynaecology skills, have attracted junior trainees eager to learn from her.
Dr Elizabeth Beare
Fellow
Dr Elizabeth Beare is awarded the RANZCOG Organisational Values Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to advocacy and education.
As head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership and advocacy skills, especially in supporting staff, including nurses and midwives, through significant departmental changes. Her ability to lead numerous meetings and advocate for changes that benefit both consumers and staff is particularly commendable.
For media enquiries
Bec McPhee
Head of Advocacy & Communications
0413 258 166
bmcphee@ranzcog.edu.au
