Academy Awards

'SHINE A LIGHT'

The Academy of Surgical Educators Awards were created to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contributions of surgical educators across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. This year, we proudly embrace the theme "Shine a Light", reflecting the transformative power of education in shaping the next generation of surgeons.

Through the annual Educator of Merit awards, we seek nominations recognising excellence—whether it be through innovative teaching methods, compassionate mentorship, or the relentless pursuit of advancing surgical knowledge. These individuals are not only experts in their field, but they also inspire, challenge, and empower future leaders in surgery.

As we look forward to the 2025 awards, we invite nominations that reflect the dedication and passion of educators who shine brightly within their institutions and communities. Their efforts illuminate the way forward for aspiring surgeons and ensure that the highest standards of care continue to be delivered across our region.

Let us shine a light on these remarkable individuals who shape the future of surgery, one lesson at a time.

The Educator of Merit award is awarded in the following categories:

• SET Supervisor/SIMG Supervisor of the Year
• Facilitator/Instructor of the Year

Read on to learn more about the criteria for these awards.

2025 nominations are now closed

SET Supervisor/SIMG Supervisor of the Year is to recognise an exceptional contribution toward supporting Trainees or Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs).

This will be awarded once per state and territory of Australia, and up to twice in Aotearoa New Zealand, where there are appropriate candidates nominated.

This award will be judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of the Colleges' goals, values and missions
• Inspirational role modelling as a SET or SIMG supervisor actively supervising within the past two years
• Understanding and commitment to training and surgical education
• Involvement in training and continuing professional development
• A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or Board accredited supervisor

About you: The SET Supervisor/SIMG Supervisor of the Year award can be nominated by a member of the regional training board or committee, clinical team, surgical educator colleague, SIMG, Trainee or College staff member.

Facilitator/Instructor of the Year is to recognise an exceptional contribution by a course facilitator/instructor teaching on RACS Professional Development or Skills Education courses.

This will be awarded to up to two recipients across Australasia, where there are appropriate candidates nominated.

This award will be judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of the Colleges' goals, values and missions.
• Inspirational role modelling as a facilitator of a RACS Professional Development or Skills Education course within the past two years. A full list of eligible courses is available in the nomination form.
• Understanding of and commitment to surgical education.
• Demonstration of leadership in program delivery.

About you: The Facilitator/Instructor of the Year Award can be nominated by a surgical education colleague, Fellow, SIMG, Trainee, course participant or a RACS staff member.

You will need the following to submit your nomination.

• Complete the eligibility check:
  • Nominee has active supervision of SET/SIMGs or facilitation of RACS courses in the past 2 years
  • Your identification as one of the listed roles
• Your name and RACS ID
• The name and email of the person you are nominating
• The reason why you are nominating this person (500 words maximum)
• Name and contact details of a seconder, who will endorse your nomination
• Name and contact details of the nominee's manager or supervisor at their main hospital of practice, for verification purposes
  
  

Nominations closed on Friday 9 May 2025. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 winners!

2025 nominations are now closed

Each year, the Academy also announces the Educator of Commitment awards, celebrating milestones of 3, 6, and 9 years of service.

Through these awards, we acknowledge the contribution of RACS-registered SET supervisors, SIMG supervisors and Professional Development course facilitators over a sustained period of time. 

Educator of Merit 2024
The ASE would like to congratulate the winners of the 2024 Academy Recognition Awards. Read the full article in Surgical News here.

Educator of Merit - Supervisor of the Year (by region)

Dr Nelson (Hao) Wang, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dr Samuel Hall, New South Wales
Dr Henry Duncan, Northern Territory
Dr Christopher Cole, Queensland
Dr Philip Tan, Tasmania
Dr Damien Holdaway, Victoria
Dr Joseph Hockley, Western Australia

Facilitator/Instructor of the Year Award

Dr Andrew Ing, RACS Skills Course Facilitator

Educator of Commitment 2024

Thank you to all our SET Supervisors, SIMG Supervisors and PD Facilitators who have contributed to surgical education and training in the RACS community.  We wish to acknowledge the following educators in achieving these service milestones (as of 31 August 2024):

Those who have served nine years or more

Dr Adrian Anthony, Facilitator
Professor Deborah Bailey, Facilitator
Dr Nigel Barwood, SET Supervisor
Dr Kevin Bax, SET Supervisor
Dr Julian Choi, SET Supervisor
Dr Adrian Clubb, SET Supervisor
Dr Simon Dempsey, SET Supervisor
Dr Mark Dexter, SET Supervisor
Dr Anthony Dilley, Facilitator
Dr Jacob Fairhall, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Augusto Gonzalvo, SET Supervisor
Dr Nishanthi Gurusinghe, SET Supervisor
Dr David Hall, SET Supervisor
Dr Alastair Hepburn, SET Supervisor
Dr Simon John, SET Supervisor
Dr Michael Johnston, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor James King, SET Supervisor
Dr Jen Lee, SET Supervisor
Dr Marianne Lill, SET Supervisor
Dr Timothy Makeham, SET Supervisor
Dr Daniel Marshall, SET Supervisor
Dr Brent McMonagle, SET Supervisor
Dr Steve Merten, SET Supervisor
Dr Mischel Neill, SET Supervisor
Dr Corinne Ooi, SET Supervisor
Dr Halil Ozdemir, SET Supervisor
Ms Deborah Paltridge, Facilitator
Dr Sheen Peeceeyen, SET Supervisor
Dr Franklin Pond, SET Supervisor
Dr Neil Price, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Faruque Riffat, SET Supervisor
Dr Neil Roberts, SET Supervisor
Dr Mark Romero, SET Supervisor
Dr Matthew Taylor, SET Supervisor
Professor Richard Turner, SET Supervisor

Those who have served six years

Dr Darin Bilish, SET Supervisor
Dr Ruth Bollard, Facilitator
Dr Ronaldo Bova, SET Supervisor
Dr Andrew Bridger, SET Supervisor
Dr Andrew Chang, Facilitator
Associate Professor Douglas Fenton-Lee, Facilitator
Dr Charles Fisher, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Richard Grills, Facilitator
Dr Raefe Gunerlach, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Jonathan Hong, SET Supervisor
Dr Sarah Hulme, Facilitator
Dr Michael Kernohan, SET Supervisor
Dr Christopher Lehane, SET Supervisor
Dr Alexander John Lengyel, SET Supervisor
Dr Chon Hann Liew, SET Supervisor
Dr David Logan, SET Supervisor
Dr Damien Loh, SET Supervisor
Dr Seow Loh, SET Supervisor
Dr Andrew Malcolm, SET Supervisor
Professor Anubhav Mittal, SET Supervisor
Dr Juanita Muller, Facilitator
Dr Janelle Munns, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Yuresh Naidoo, SET Supervisor
Dr Maria-Teresa Nano, Facilitator
Dr Thembekile Ncube, SET Supervisor
Dr Bradley Newell, SET Supervisor
Dr Paul Paddle, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Nirmal Patel, SET Supervisor
Dr Michael Pether, SET Supervisor
Dr Meron Pitcher, Facilitator
Dr Robert Pucius, SET Supervisor
Dr Devinder Raju, SET Supervisor
Dr Lynette Reece, Facilitator
Dr Angela Robson, SET Supervisor
Dr Sandrine Roman, SET Supervisor
Dr Kieran Rowe, SET Supervisor
Dr Fiona Smithers, SET Supervisor
Dr Daniel Steiner, SET Supervisor
Dr Philip Tan, SET Supervisor
Dr Christopher Thien, SET Supervisor
Dr Neil Thomson, SET Supervisor
Professor Philip Truskett, Facilitator
Dr Alexandra Turner, SET Supervisor
Dr Anna Wilkes, SET Supervisor
Dr Katherine Wilson, SET Supervisor
Dr Edward  Yeboah, SET Supervisor
Dr Shinn Yeung, SET Supervisor

Those who have served three years

Dr Vinna An, SET Supervisor
Dr Shane Anderson, SET Supervisor
Dr Farhad Azimi, SET Supervisor
Dr Catherine Banks, SET Supervisor
Dr Eric Boseto, SET Supervisor
Dr Christopher Bourke, SET Supervisor
Dr William Bowes, SET Supervisor
Dr Jennifer Chang, SET Supervisor
Dr Ping-en Chen, SET Supervisor
Dr Daniel Cox, SET Supervisor
Dr Drew Cronin, SET Supervisor
Dr Paromita Das Gupta, SET Supervisor
Dr Trafford Fehlberg, SET Supervisor
Dr Philip Fisher, SET Supervisor
Dr Jason Free, SET Supervisor
Dr Daniel Gilbourd, SET Supervisor
Dr Alethea Grobler, SET Supervisor
Dr Kirsty Hamilton, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Mitchell Hansen, SET Supervisor
Dr Cheng He, SET Supervisor
Dr Frank Hsieh, SET Supervisor
Dr Harsh Kanhere, SET Supervisor
Dr Melvyn Kuan, Facilitator
Dr Eric Levi, SET Supervisor
Dr Mary Ling, SET Supervisor
Dr Carl Lisec, SET Supervisor
Dr Peter Loder, SET Supervisor
Dr Bernard Luczak, SET Supervisor
Dr Amiria Lynch, Facilitator
Dr Norman Ma, SET Supervisor
Dr Kara McDermott, SET Supervisor
Dr Elizabeth McLeod, SET Supervisor
Dr Kathryn McLeod, Facilitator
Dr Alastair Merrilees, SET Supervisor
Associate Professor Christopher Merry, Facilitator
Dr Linda Monshizadeh, SET Supervisor
Dr Tam Nguyen, SET Supervisor
Dr Briony Norris, SET Supervisor
Dr Kesley Pedler, SET Supervisor
Dr Jonathan Potter, SET Supervisor
Dr David Proud, SET Supervisor
Dr Manikya Senaratne, SET Supervisor
Dr Matthew Shears, SET Supervisor
Dr John Spillane, Facilitator
Dr Giorgio Stefanutti, SET Supervisor
Dr Henry To, SET Supervisor
Dr Edward Travers, SET Supervisor
Dr Hamish Urquhart, SET Supervisor
Dr Joanna Walton, SET Supervisor
Dr Frank Wang, SET Supervisor
Dr Nelson Hao Wang, SET Supervisor
Dr Alasdair Watson, SET Supervisor
Dr Chung-Kwun Won, SET Supervisor
Dr Richard Wong She, Facilitator
Associate Professor Gavin Wright, SET Supervisor