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Awards

NZAGS acknowledges excellence, leadership and contribution across General Surgery through a range of awards presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting and recognised within the wider surgical community. These awards highlight achievement in research, teaching, service, advocacy and commitment to equity across Aotearoa New Zealand.


Registrar Presentation Awards

These awards recognise outstanding research presented by registrars in both oral and poster categories at the NZAGS Annual Scientific Meeting

  • Best Oral Presentation by a Registrar Enrolled in a Higher Degree – $1000
  • Best Oral Presentation by a Registrar Not Enrolled in a Higher Degree – $1000
  • Best Poster Presentation by a Registrar Enrolled in a Higher Degree – $500
  • Best Poster Presentation by a Registrar Not Enrolled in a Higher Degree – $500

A higher degree includes programmes such as a Master’s or PhD. Registrars must research, write and present their own work and be registered to attend the ASM.

Damien Mosquera Research Award

This $1000 award honours Taranaki surgeon Damien Mosquera, who was widely respected for his commitment to robust trainee research and support for regional surgical education. The award recognises a regional centre oral or poster presentation that demonstrates strong scientific rigour and meaningful contribution to the profession.

Eligibility includes:

  • Research undertaken at a New Zealand regional (non‑metropolitan) centre
  • Presentation by the primary author at the NZAGS Annual Scientific Meeting
  • Open to SET and non‑SET trainees
  • Literature reviews are not eligible
  • Some systematic or meta‑analyses may be eligible when supervised from a provincial centre

Submissions may also be considered for registrar prizes where applicable.

President’s Award

The President’s Award recognises NZAGS members who have made a significant and lasting contribution to General Surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand. The award acknowledges leadership, advocacy, innovation and service that strengthens the profession and supports equitable, high quality surgical care.

Eligibility includes:

  • NZAGS members who are General Surgeons or General Surgical Trainees
  • Demonstrated excellence, integrity and collegiality
  • A sustained contribution to the specialty, the association or patient care
  • Work that advances equitable health outcomes, including for Māori and Pacific communities

The award is presented at the NZAGS Annual Scientific Meeting.

RACS Service Awards

NZAGS supports nominations to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Service Awards, which recognise outstanding service to surgery. Nominations usually include a supporting statement and CV, and are considered by the RACS Awards Committee throughout the year.


RACS Indigenous Health Scholarships and Awards

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons also provides a range of scholarships and awards that support Māori medical students, junior doctors, SET trainees and Fellows. These awards encourage participation in surgery, enhance career development and recognise contributions to Māori health.

Key opportunities include:

  • RACS Career Enhancement Scholarships for Māori medical students and junior doctors
  • Foundation for Surgery ASC Award, supporting Māori students and doctors to attend the RACS Annual Scientific Congress
  • Scholarships for Māori SET Trainees
  • RACS Māori Health Medal, recognising significant contributions to Indigenous health advocacy and improved health outcomes in Aotearoa

These awards are administered by RACS and complement NZAGS’ commitment to equity, representation and the development of Māori surgical leaders.

Denys Sumner Award

Chosen annually by General Surgery SET and GSET trainees, the Denys Sumner Award recognises a trainer who has shown exceptional enthusiasm, expertise and commitment to clinical teaching. Past recipients represent educators from across the country who have significantly contributed to trainee development.

Recipients of the Denys Sumner Award

Denys Sumner Award
2022 Ian Stewart
Denys Sumner Award
2021 Saxon Connor
Denys Sumner Award
2020 James Tietjens
Denys Sumner Award
2019 Marianne Lill
Denys Sumner Award
2018 Lincoln Israel
Denys Sumner Award
2017 Murray Pfieffer
Denys Sumner Award
2016 Ian Stewart
Denys Sumner Award
2015 Jane Strang
Denys Sumner Award
2014 Magda Biggar
Denys Sumner Award
2013 Rowan French
Denys Sumner Award
2012 Andrew Connolly
Denys Sumner Award
2011 Pravin Kumar
Denys Sumner Award
2009 Bruce Rhind
Denys Sumner Award
2008 Alf Decon
Recognition

Dr Usha Shan

Prize for oncoplastic work presented at the ORBS meeting
2015 (recognition year, for work over 2008 to 2014)
Founders of ORBS, Douglas MacMillan and Steven McCulley

Usha Shan’s oncoplastic work on Northland women with breast cancer over a six year period from 2008 to 2014 was recognised by the founders of ORBS at the ORBS meeting in Nottingham in September 2015. Her presentation stood out among 14 selected oral presentations from multiple countries.

She had 2 posters up for viewing.

The tennis racquet incision (level 1 oncoplastic technique) which was her oral presentation
The experiences of a solo oncoplastic surgeon in rural NZ

Douglas MacMillan’s reasons for giving her the prize were that her presentation was excellent, honest and passionate, but most importantly she was innovative and got on with it in spite of challenges of being in a remote area. Douglas described her as representing what ORBS is all about.

Usha was overwhelmed by the compliments she received from the international delegates and speakers over the 3 days of the conference. There were 400 delegates from 30 countries. She was the only speaker from Aussie and NZ so is proud to have represented NZ and Northland.

A total of 14 papers were chosen for oral presentation from New York (1), Japan (1), Finland (1), NZ (1) and UK (Nottingham, London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford, Glasgow).

Usha said “It was amazing to see the number of surgeons asking me details of the technique to take back to their homeland.” She also thanked Philippa Mercer for being her inspiration.

  • The tennis racquet incision, level 1 oncoplastic technique, which was her oral presentation
  • The experiences of a solo oncoplastic surgeon in rural NZ
“It was amazing to see the number of surgeons asking me details of the technique to take back to their homeland.”
Location · Event ORBS meeting in Nottingham, 21 to 23 September 2015
Recognition

Professor Pat Alley

CPMEC Clinical Educator of the Year Award
2013
Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC)

Professor Pat Alley is the recipient of the CPMEC Clinical Educator of the Year Award 2013. The award is recognition of the contribution Professor Alley has made to medical education and the well being of the profession over four decades.

This year at North Shore Hospital, Professor Alley has played a key role in the development of an integrated formal teaching programme with three core strands. There are Clinical Skills, Quality and Patient Safety, Inter Professional learning and Collaborative Practice.

Pat is the first New Zealander to be awarded the Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC) Clinical Educator of the Year. The Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC) is an association of Postgraduate Medical Councils (PMCs) of each State or Territory in Australia and the equivalent agency in New Zealand.

To read the full press release click here.

Location · Event North Shore Hospital, New Zealand, and the CPMEC Clinical Educator of the Year Award 2013
Recognition

Mr Murray Pfeifer

Rural Surgeons Award
2014 (presentation at the 20th NZAGS Annual Scientific Meeting, 29 to 30 March 2014)
The College, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Mr Murray Pfeifer, a NZAGS member practicing in Invercargill, has had his distinguished service to rural surgery recognised by the College. Murray has been awarded the Rural Surgeons Award.

The Rural Surgeons Award acknowledges significant contributions to surgery in rural settings in New Zealand and Australia. This award was previously called the “Provincial Surgeons Award” and was created by Council in 2002.

The contribution has to be in the form of conspicuous continued involvement of at least 10 years to the development of a high standard of surgery and commitment to quality assurance and ongoing education and training of the individual and other health care staff.

A presentation will be made by Michael Hollands at the 20th NZAGS Annual Scientific Meeting being held in Dunedin, 29 to 30 March 2014.

Location · Event 20th NZAGS Annual Scientific Meeting, Dunedin, 29 to 30 March 2014 Context: Murray practices in Invercargill, New Zealand
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