Northern Health’s Dr Amanda Baric was awarded the Robert Orton Medal – the highest award the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetics, ANZCA, can bestow on its fellows.
The medal was established in 1967 to acknowledge outstanding service to anaesthesia, perioperative medicine, and pain medicine.
ANZCA acknowledged Dr Baric, deputy director in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine at Epping’s hospital, for her contributions to improving anaesthetist training and patient safety in Mongolia.
Dr Baric, who is known to be a dedicated and skilled educator, also earned the Order of the Polar Star for her efforts – the highest civilian honour of the Mongolian Government.
Dr Baric said she was honoured to be considered for the award that recognised her efforts to clinical care.
“I am very grateful that the College of Anaesthetists has recognised that many of our fellows don’t just work in their home country and hospital and have a commitment in other parts of the world,” she said.
“It is great to be recognised, but I need to acknowledge that it was not just me – it was mostly the Department of Anaesthesia here at the Northern that’s been doing this work. Northern Health has been really generous with its support.
“One of the motivators for me has been the desire to make the world just slightly better in a small way. I am hoping that other people will be motivated by that, to just chip away.”
Northern Health associate professor and chief medical officer Wanda Stelmach congratulated Dr Baric on the exceptional achievement.
“How amazing, but not totally surprising – Amanda has always worked above and beyond what anyone expects,” she said.
