2025 | Volume 26 | Issue 3
Congratulations to Dr Jamie Lee-Rahiri, recipient of the 2025 John Corboy medal. The John Corboy medal is the highest honour a surgical Trainee receives from RACS. It is one of RACS' distinguished awards and is awarded annually by the RACS Trainees’ Association (RACSTA).
Dr Rahiri with Dr Ong
Dr Rahiri was presented with the John Corboy medal at the Trainee and Younger Fellows dinner during the 2025 RACS ASC in Sydney by Dr Sue Hui Ong, the Immediate Past Chair of RACSTA.
The medal commemorates Dr John Corboy, a General Surgery Trainee from Aotearoa New Zealand, who was also RACSTA Chair in 2007 before passing away during his tenure. The award reflects everything Dr Corboy strove to achieve—outstanding leadership, selfless service, tenacity and service to Trainees of the College. This medal is presented to Trainees who embody these traits.
Dr. Jamie-Lee Rahiri's remarkable accomplishments early in her surgical training have earned her this distinguished College award—a rare and impressive feat. At the time of nomination, Dr Rahiri was in her second year of surgical training in General Surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Several nominations were made for Dr Rahiri, each showcasing her exceptional leadership in various capacities within the medical and surgical community. She is the founder of Te Piringa Kōtuku – a Kaupapa Māori Surgical and Primary Health Research Institute and a pioneer of initiatives including Te Poka Pū – National Māori Surgical Interest Group to support and advance Māori into surgery.
Dr. Rahiri has made significant research contributions and attained her PhD in 2020, which was awarded one of five prizes for best doctoral thesis across the University of Auckland. She mentors and supervises master's, honours, and doctoral students, while also supporting Trainees in entering the training program and facilitating their growth throughout their training. This work led to her recent receipt of the prestigious University of Auckland Early Career Research Excellence Award. Through her research, Dr. Rahiri dedicates herself to creating opportunities and support systems for Trainees, medical students and junior doctors.
Dr Rahiri with her husband, Dr Tuhoe
Dr Rahiri attributes her receipt of the John Corboy medal to the unending support of her surgical sisters, mentors and whānau. As a proud Māmā to her three daughters, Dr Rahiri credits her success to the unwavering support of her parents and husband, Dr Jason Tuhoe.
In receiving the John Corboy medal, Dr Rahiri says, “It is an honour. Many of Dr Corboy’s friends and colleagues have shared stories describing just how incredible he was. Some spoke of his support of fellow women Trainees and his ongoing service to the community while he was undergoing treatment for his leukaemia. To be recognised in the legacy of Dr Corboy is a privilege, and I want to acknowledge him and his whānau.”
L to R: Dr Emma Wehipeihana, Dr Ernest Cheng (ASC Trainee Section Convener), Rachael Morgan (RACSTA Executive Officer), Dr Jaime-Lee Rahiri, Dr Sue Hui Ong, Dr Sarah Cowan and Dr Teagan Fink
Dr Rahiri has achieved much more than mentioned here in her career to date, and we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes throughout her surgical career.
Nominations for the 2026 John Corboy Medal are open from 1 June – 31 July 2025. Fellows, Trainees and SIMGs are encouraged to nominate a Trainee who is deserving of this award.
You can find more Information and a nomination form on the RACSTA webpage.