Melbourne-based Dr Chris Roubal (Cohort 1) and Western Australia-based Dr Richard Leslie (Cohort 2) have both received the coveted prize for achieving top marks in the College's 2020.1 OSCE.
The Buchanan Prize is awarded to the candidate or candidates achieving the highest mark in each separate cohort (group) that attempt the OSCE.
The award is named in honour of Dr Peter Buchanan who was one of the College's founding fellows, and its first Honorary Treasurer. Dr Buchanan believed in the need for excellence in Emergency Medicine at a time when this was an embryonic concept in Australia and New Zealand and it is for this reason that the prize has been named in his honour.
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(Pictured: Dr Chris Roubal)
Currently working at Western Health (Sunshine and Footscray Hospitals) in Melbourne, and previously at the Alfred Hospital, Dr Roubal said of winning the prize:
"I was surprised and humbled to learn I had been awarded the Buchanan Prize. I was almost in disbelief in fact, and handed my phone to my partner to check I had read the email correctly. Although I had no expectations of achieving the highest result on the day, particularly among such a talented cohort, I am proud I was able to represent myself well."
"I am grateful for my fantastic study group, who shared with me their unique wealth of knowledge and experience. I also owe many thanks to the consultant groups at Western Health and the Alfred Hospital for their continued support and encouragement."
On selecting Emergency Medicine as a specialty Dr Roubal said:
"For me Emergency Medicine is a unique role that offers endless variety and challenges in an exciting team environment. Emergency Medicine intersects with broader society at the point of crisis and it is a privilege to provide support and care for people of all walks of life. The role carries a responsibility to ensure all members of our community receive the highest medical care during what is often a very difficult moment in their lives."
(Pictured: Dr Richard Leslie)
Currently working at St John of God Midland Hospital in Western Australia and prior to that in Albany, Dr Leslie said of winning the prize:
"It is an extremely humbling experience to be awarded the Buchanan Prize, knowing that many past Western Australian recipients are role models of mine. The achievement is equally shared by the team who supported me including my wonderful partner and our two kids who gave me balance in an all-consuming time, and the dedicated group of consultants and mentors across Western Australia who have helped me prepare for the exam."
"Receiving the Buchanan prize also conveys a sense of responsibility, and I hope to continue the tradition of excellence in Emergency Medicine training in Western Australia and inspire others in a career in this speciality."
On selecting Emergency Medicine as a specialty Dr Leslie said:
"My decision to pursue Emergency Medicine as a career was motivated by being inspired by several amazing consultants early in my career at both tertiary and rural hospitals, who were passionate and energetic about Emergency Medicine and showed me what a career in ED looked like. I continue to be driven by a genuine enjoyment of the medicine and the atmosphere in ED that is created by the people that I work with, and the opportunity to meet the vast spectrum of the community who come for assistance in times of vulnerability."
