JENNIFER MAY, OAM
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DOCTOR Jennifer May has received an OAM, as a general practitioner, for significant service to community health in rural and regional areas, to professional medical groups, and to education.
Many know her as a general practitioner at Peel Health Care where she has practised since 2004 and as a visiting medical officer at Tamworth and Tamara Private hospitals.
She has recently competed a PhD reviewing medical services in regional centres, which is in keeping with her vocal advocacy for increasing medical services and resourc- es in regional areas.
She has appointments to a number of government and professional committees – all related to improving both health services and the “livability” of rural communities.
Recent focuses have in- cluded occupational violence for all rural professionals and the impact of alcohol and other drugs on rural communities.
She is the clinical dean for Tamworth’s University of Newcastle, University Depart- ment of Rural Health and Rural Clinical School, supporting undergraduate medical and allied health students.
Dr May also works in support of junior medical officers, general practitioner registrars and general practitioners in Tamworth.
Dr May said she was honoured and daunted by the award, as improving rural health services was very much a team effort.
“Many of my colleagues work just as hard and, in fact, they have enabled me to be involved in advocacy,” she said.
Dr May was the 2014 Telstra Australian Rural Doctor of the Year.
She was also part of the University Department of Rural Health team that was successful in an Australian Government Award for innovation and teaching for Inter-Professional Education in the same year.