2025 RANZCOG Honours and Awards Winners

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Each year RANZCOG presents a selection of nominated individuals 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.

The College would like to congratulate all recipients of the 2025 honours and awards.

President’s Medal

Professor Kirsten Black
Fellow

Professor Kirsten Black has been awarded the RANZCOG President’s Medal in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the work of the College. She has played a pivotal role in shaping national guidelines and in establishing the advanced training pathway for sexual and reproductive health for RANZCOG Fellows.

Professor Black has had a profound and lasting impact on obstetrics and gynaecology, and on the health and wellbeing of women through her contributions to education, clinical care, and research and policy.

Honorary Fellowship

Professor William Hague

Professor William Hague has been awarded the RANZCOG Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding service to women’s health and the profession over more than three decades.

Professor Hague’s pioneering work in clinical care, education, and research, specifically in the areas of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and liver disease in pregnancy, has significantly advanced the integration of internal medicine with obstetric practice and improved outcomes for women and their families.

Distinguished Service Medal

Professor Cynthia Farquhar
Fellow

Professor Cynthia Farquhar has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of her leadership in evidence-based women’s healthcare, and her transformative impact on clinical practice within Australia, New Zealand, and internationally.

As RANZCOG’s Dean of Research and Policy, Professor Farquhar has played a crucial role in shaping policy and ensuring that clinical guidelines are underpinned by rigorous scientific evidence. Her work has led to measurable improvements in fertility treatment and gynaecological care

Dr John Regan
Fellow

Dr John Regan has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of the exceptional contribution and impact he has made to the work of the College over many years through his invaluable work on numerous College Committees, as a College Councillor and RANZCOG Board member.

Since 2011 Dr Regan has served on over 60 College Committees and working groups and played an integral role in the purchasing of no.1 Bowen Crescent, the new home of the College. Beyond his direct contributions to the College, John has actively engaged in advocacy efforts that have enhanced the standing of obstetrics and gynaecology.

RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award

Dr Karaponi Okesene-Gafa
Fellow

Dr Karaponi Okesene-Gafa is recognised with the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award for her outstanding contribution to Women’s Health over many years.

Her work as a clinical researcher, advocate, and educator has made a meaningful and lasting impact on women’s health care. The Board acknowledges her unwavering commitment to improving reproductive health outcomes for women and families across the Pacific region.

Dr Sharron Bolitho
Fellow

Dr Sharron Bolitho is recognised with the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award for her significant contributions to women’s health as a clinical leader, educator, and global health advocate.

Her leadership in the adaptation and delivery of the Pacific Emergency Maternal and Neonatal Training (PEMNeT) program has supported the training of hundreds of clinicians across Pacific Island Countries, improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. In addition, her roles as Clinical Director of Obstetrics, Education Lead, and Clinical Lead for Obstetric Emergency Training have shaped safer maternity care, fostered a culture of continuous improvement, and inspired the next generation of clinicians.

Associate Professor Michael Rasmussen
Fellow

Associate Professor Michael Rasmussen is recognised with the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award in for his exemplary contribution to postgraduate obstetrics and gynaecology training in Papua New Guinea.

Over the past decade, he has travelled to PNG five times volunteering to support the country’s specialist training program, each time, committing to the intensive two-week courses. His dedication, clinical expertise as a generalist obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, and excellence in teaching have made a lasting impact on the development of the local O&G workforce, significantly strengthening women’s health care in the region.

Professor Katie Groom
Fellow

Professor Katie Groom has been awarded the RANZCOG Excellence in Women’s Health Award for her significant contributions to women’s health through her work in maternal and perinatal care.

Professor Groom’s leadership in the Carosika Collaborative, has advanced preterm birth care across multiple districts in Aotearoa New Zealand, directly benefiting whānau. Her research has been instrumental in shaping national clinical guidelines and informing health policy, helping to embed evidence-based practice throughout maternal healthcare.

RANZCOG Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Health Award

Dr Amita Tuteja
CPD Affiliate

Dr Amita Tuteja has been awarded the RANZCOG Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Health Award in recognition of her meaningful impact and commitment to advancing women’s health care for refugees. Particularly notable is her work in developing culturally sensitive consent processes and a best practice resource for healthcare practitioners working with interpreters in refugee contexts, improving sexual and reproductive health care for Burmese refugees in Australia.

Dr Tuteja’s efforts have not only enhanced health outcomes for Burmese women and families but have also established a valuable framework to support improved care for other refugee communities facing similar challenges.

RANZCOG Training Supervisor Award

Dr Aimee Wiltshire
Fellow

Dr Aimee Wiltshire has been awarded the RANZCOG Training Supervisor Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to trainee support, educational leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence in training.

Since achieving Fellowship in 2014, she has served in multiple key roles including ITP Coordinator, SA/NT TAC Chair, and Training Supervisor, guiding trainees with compassion, integrity, and high standards. Her leadership has been instrumental in supporting trainees facing significant challenges, helping them achieve their fellowship.

Māori Women’s Health Award

Professor Colin Mantell
Retired Fellow

Emeritus Professor Colin Mantell has been awarded the RANZCOG Māori Women’s Health Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to advancing Māori health and his significant contributions to obstetrics and gynaecology.

Professor Mantell was a trailblazer in medical education, and championed equity through initiatives such as the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) and Vision 20:20 at the University of Auckland, working to transform representation in the health workforce. His clinical, academic, and advocacy work, and commitment to Māori health and education, has left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit future generations of Māori healthcare professionals and the communities they serve.

Wellbeing Award

Dr Shawn Tan
FRANZCOG Trainee

Dr Shawn Tan is awarded the RANZCOG Wellbeing Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting and fostering wellbeing practices in the workplace.

His exceptional interpersonal and communication skills have played a key role in cultivating a positive and respectful workplace culture. Through his calm and reassuring approach, even in emergency situations, he has instilled confidence, competence, and a strong sense of safety in those he mentors, helping them grow into capable and compassionate O&G practitioners. His dedication to creating positive training experiences is truly commendable.

Organisational Values Award

Dr Tony Ma
Fellow

Dr Tony Ma has been awarded the RANZCOG Organisational Values Award in recognition of his outstanding and sustained commitment to education, advocacy, integrity, kindness, and respect.

As Director of Gynaecology at the University Hospital of Geelong, his leadership has significantly advanced women’s health services in Geelong with reductions in outpatient waiting times, and improved guidelines and triaging processes. Additionally, Dr Ma’s dedication to training future O&G specialists, while championing service excellence and work-life balance, exemplifies the values of the College.

Distinguished Service Award

Mr Mark Beaves
RANZCOG Staff

Mark Beaves has been awarded the RANZCOG Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contribution to the work of the College and the betterment of Women’s Health for over two decades.

Mark’s exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to improving intrapartum care through the Fetal Surveillance Education Program (FSEP) has enabled the training of thousands of maternity care providers in the consistent and systematic assessment of intrapartum fetal wellbeing, making an enormous contribution to the safety of childbirth for millions of mothers and babies throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

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