Foundation donors celebrate AMA Queensland membership milestones
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AMA Queensland Foundation was established in 2000 by a group of AMA Queensland members who wanted to do more to help those individuals whose circumstances fell outside of what the health system provided for.
Since its inception, the Foundation has enjoyed unwavering support from many AMA Queensland members who continue to consider the Foundation their charity.
On Thursday 28 August, many such members celebrated significant membership milestones of between 20 and 50 years over a breakfast hosted by AMA Queensland. Keynote speakers included AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim, CEO, Foundation Managing Director Dr Brett Dale and Past AMA Queensland President and Foundation Chair, Dr Dilip Dhupelia.
Dr Dhupelia said that over the Foundation’s twenty-five years of existence, the support of AMA Queensland members has been significant, but there was more to do.
“This year, the Foundation celebrates its own milestone of 25 years along with these long standing AMA Queensland members, and at times like this, we must acknowledge the large cohort of whom are also donors,” he said.
“For the past 25 years, AMA Queensland members have supported many causes – they’ve helped medical students experiencing financial hardship, and they have gotten behind a range of projects and campaigns that improve health outcomes for Queenslanders in need. For this, we give our sincere thanks.”
Echoing that sentiment was Dr Dale.
“A loyal membership ensures AMA Queensland can support doctors and consistently contribute to better health outcomes and the AMA Queensland Foundation has similar needs, Dr Dale said.
“The Foundation has grown from strength to strength and has stood strong on the shoulders of AMA Queensland members who have continued to support our work over many years, some over the lifetime of the Foundation.” he said.
The Foundation’s Past President Dr Steven Hambleton AM was amongst the cohort of donors celebrating 40 years of AMA Queensland membership. Dr Hambleton was Foundation President from 2009 to 2021 and remained on the Board until 2022. He was also AMA Queensland President from 2005 to 2006. .
Dr Hambleton reflected on the significance of the Foundation for medical practitioners who want to give back.
“Medicine has given us a pretty good life, and the Foundation has given us an opportunity to ask – how can we help and give back to individuals falling through the cracks in the system, or those future doctors who experience unexpected financial hardship,” Dr Hambleton said.
He said for doctors who are hoping to make a difference, the Foundation is a way to “cut through the red tape” with the majority of funds reaching their destination.
Pictured: Dr Steven Hambleton AM with AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim.
More members share their connection to AMA Queensland Foundation
The Foundation was also honoured to celebrate the milestone of Dr Desmond (Brian) Misso, a long-time donor who marks 50 years of membership.
“I am gratified that I have maintained my membership of AMA Queensland for 50 and hopefully more years,” Dr Misso said.
He said during his membership he was often made aware of the unexpected hardship colleagues and families may experience.
“If I could assist in a small way and add to what other contributions are made, then the Foundation may be able to reduce the stress of some members. Contributing to philanthropy adds a sense of achievement in life,” he said.
Pictured: Dr Brian Misso, with AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim.
Another Foundation donor celebrating 35 years of AMA Queensland membership was Dr Nadine Garraway. One of the Foundation's campaigns that remains important to Dr Garraway alongside her AMA Queensland membership is the Medical Student Scholarship program, which provides scholarships for students experiencing financial hardship.
“I got to go to university when it was free, and what I observed then, is it gave everyone a crack at being able to do medicine,” she said.
“Now it’s less accessible for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. So, donating to AMA Queensland Foundation, particularly the scholarship program, is about adopting the idea that studying medicine should be available to everyone who is capable of doing it, rather than reserved for only those who can afford it.
“It is also about fostering the sense that as you go through and advance in the profession, and continue through the years, you can support that next generation and give them a hand along the way.”
Congratulations donors on your membership milestones
Please join us in congratulating the following Foundation donors on reaching significant AMA Queensland milestones, while thanking them for their support of our work in delivering vital services outside those catered for by existing systems.
50 years
Dr Brian Misso
45 years
Dr John Monro
Dr Leonard Tucker
40 years
Dr Steven Hambleton AM, Past President AMA Queensland, Past President AMA Federal, Past President AMA Queensland Foundation
Dr Glenn Francis
Professor Hugh Bartholomeusz
35 years
Dr Nadine Garraway
Dr Susanne Jeavons
30 years
Dr Samuel Kim
Dr Sally Meade
25 years
Dr Kenneth Barns
20 years
Dr Lisa Mohanlal
Dr Andrew Winter
Dr Hannah Burns
Dr Shirley Cheung
We also acknowledge and thank the many member-donors who wish to remain anonymous, as well as all those not listed here who have contributed to our fundraising through attending our events or supporting our raffles and auctions.
Thank you to all our donors
There are many more donors who are also AMA Queensland members who don’t happen to be reaching a milestone this year. Many of those members are also long-time supporters of our work. Alongside AMA Queensland member-donors are our wider network of allies who share and support our mission to improve health and wellbeing in areas of greatest need across Queensland.
Thank you to all who make donations and support our fundraising efforts. Your compassion, your support, your faith in our organisation is why we can continue to do what we do.