Local doctor, Sarah Gleeson, has been recognised by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, for going above and beyond to care for her patients and communities, winning an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Award.
She received the Standing Strong Together Award.
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Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Professor Peter O'Mara congratulated the winners.
"This year's recipients are truly exceptional and an inspiration for our profession.
"When it comes to closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes, GPs play a significant role but are rarely recognised for their work and achievements. These awards are an opportunity for us to highlight the best of the best, and inspire the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health."
The Standing Strong Together Award celebrates partnerships between GPs and communities to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year's winner Dr Sarah Gleeson has spent nearly 10 years working with the indigenous community in Boggabilla, forging strong relationships and working to overcome barriers to care for patients. Dr Gleeson provides outreach services to Boggabilla Community Health from the Goondiwindi Medical Centre.
In 2019, Dr Gleeson created a role for an Aboriginal Health Worker at Goondiwindi Medical Centre, which came to fruition this year when Rebecca Bell started in the role. She also worked with her team to establish Closing the Gap days at Goondiwindi Medical Centre, providing a walk-in clinic and culturally sensitive health assessments with Aboriginal Health Workers, GPs and Practice Nurses skilled in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Professor O'Mara said Dr Gleeson was a shining example of how GPs can work with communities to close the gap.
"Dr Gleeson's efforts have made a real difference for indigenous patients in Boggabilla, with a measurable increase in those accessing care, including for chronic disease and antenatal care.
"She has achieved this by working together with the local community, building relationships and gaining trust, and really working to understand the barriers to care and seeking to overcome them with her patients."
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"It was very humbling to be nominated for the award and incredibly humbling to receive it," Dr Gleeson said. "I'm supported by an amazing and dedicated team at Boggabilla Community Health and the Goondiwindi Medical Centre who all strive to provide excellent care to our Aboriginal patients. I absolutely love working with and caring for the Boggabilla community, and I am honoured that the community has placed their trust in me to take care of them over the last eight years."
It comes as the RACGP celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, founded in 2010 to help 'close the gap'.
Now with over 11,000 members, the Faculty is focused on growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP workforce and ensuring high-quality culturally responsive care.
