AMA stalwart Paul Boyatzis has been recognised for his dedication to the Association, with an Outstanding Service Award.
AMA President Dr Tony Bartone presented the award to Mr Boyatzis when the AMA Federal Council Meeting in Canberra in August and noted he had served the organisation well for more than 30 years.
He also received a standing ovation from the whole Federal Council.
Mr Boyatzis has been the Executive Director and CEO of AMA (WA) since 1988. He announced his retirement earlier this year.
Dr Bartone said Mr Boyatzis had been a tireless campaigner of the AMA at both the State and Federal levels and had worked hard for the betterment of the organisation.
Dr Bartone noted how much the world had changed since Mr Boyatzis began his work with the AMA and how he had helped keep the AMA contemporary and able to meet the challenges it faced.
He said he took over as CEO of AMA (WA) at a time of significant hardship for the small organisation in Perth and transformed it into a large and influential membership-based entity.
"I'd like to note that this is Paul's final meeting here at Federal Council and we'd like to mark that occasion with this plaque," Dr Bartone said.
The award states: In recognition and acknowledgment of his outstanding contribution to the AMA, at both Federal and State level, and excellence in furthering the objectives of the medical profession and the health of the Australian community."
Upon receiving the award, Mr Boyatzis thanked the Federal Council for it and gave some final tips on where the AMA should focus its attention into the future.
And he said the AMA was in a strong position, remaining at the peak of health and medical advocacy in the Australia.
"The AMA is coping ok. Anyone telling you otherwise is wrong," Mr Boyatzis said.
Mr Boyatzis was the recipient of the AMA (WA) President's Award in 2018.
