14 October 2025 – Boorloo | Perth

The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators is delighted to announce the recipients of three prestigious awards presented at the 2025 Conferment Ceremony, recognising outstanding contributions to healthcare leadership and medical administration.

Distinguished Fellow Award – Dr Helen McArdle

Dr McArdle has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her distinguished career as a Specialist Medical Administrator and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A trailblazing advocate for clinical governance, she established Tasmania’s first clinical governance and safety and quality systems at Royal Hobart Hospital whilst pioneering clinician wellbeing initiatives. As the first woman President of AMA Tasmania, National AMA Board Director, and RACMA Board member, she has advised successive governments and senior policymakers on workforce strategies and mentored medical leaders, with a record number of Tasmanian Fellows joining RACMA under her leadership.

New Fellow Achievement Award – Dr Francis Lee

Dr Lee, who completed his RACMA Fellowship Training in 2023, played a pivotal role in convening the National RACMA Conference 2025, establishing the WA Jurisdictional Committee’s conference structure and now serving as WA’s representative on the national committee. He has effectively represented Western Australia at national director meetings, providing strategic updates on conference arrangements whilst maintaining leadership roles spanning both public WA Country Health Services and private metropolitan health services. His early career achievements in bridging public and private healthcare leadership exemplify the collaborative approach RACMA fosters in Fellows.

Bernard Nicholson Memorial Prize – Dr Duncan Mackay

Dr Mackay receives the Bernard Nicholson Memorial Prize for outstanding performance in the Medical Management Practice Oral Examination 2024. This award is given to the candidate with exceptional performance as determined by the Board of Censors following completion of the examination, recognising excellence in medical administration knowledge and practice.

RACMA extends heartfelt congratulations to all three award recipients for their remarkable achievements and contributions to advancing healthcare leadership across Australasia.