Congratulations to the winners of the Educator of Merit Awards for 2025. 

The SET Supervisor/SIMG Supervisor of the Year is an annual award presented by the Academy of Surgical Educators. It recognises an exceptional contribution by a SET or SIMG supervisor in supporting Trainees or Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) to fulfil the goals, values, and mission of the College.

This award was judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of the Colleges' goals, values and missions
• Inspirational role modelling as a supervisor
• 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.

The Educator of Merit, SET/SIMG Supervisor of the Year recipients are:

• Dr John Gan, FRACS: New South Wales
• Dr Hannah Burns, FRACS: Queensland
• Dr Jonathan Mulford, FRACS: Tasmania
• Dr Krinal Mori, FRACS: Victoria
• Dr Carsten Ritter, FRACS: Western Australia

The Facilitator/Instructor of the year award recognises an exceptional contribution by a course facilitator/instructor teaching Professional Development or Skills Education courses. 

The award was judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of the College’s goals, values and missions
• Inspirational role modelling as a facilitator of professional development programming
• Understanding and commitment to surgical education
• Demonstration of a proactive approach to leadership in professional development program delivery.

The Educator of Merit, Facilitator/Instructor of the Year recipients are:

• Associate Professor Andrew Cochrane, FRACS, course director for ASSET, CCrISP and CLEAR, Victoria
• Professor Ian Civil, FRACS course director for CCrISP, EMST and OWR, Instructor for TIPS, based in Aotearoa New Zealand